Most Liverpool fans will credit themselves with having an impressive knowledge of the European game. But what do you really know about our Europa League opponents Benfica?

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We enlisted the expert view of journalist Luis Pedro Ferreira, a dedicated Eagles reporter for popular Portugese football website Maisfutebol.pt, to find out more.

Benfica and Liverpool are no strangers to each other in UEFA competition, though there are few remnants from the Eagles team that beat Rafa Benitez's troops in 2006.

Only two players - Luisao and Nuno Gomes - remain from the Benfica side that won in Portugal as well as at Anfield four years ago. The Eagles may had been crowned Portuguese champions the previous year, but that group was far from being as enthusiastic as the current one.

Confidence is currently high at Benfica, not only due to the first place position they occupy in the Portuguese league, but also because of this season's displays.

In fact, the Eagles have just increased their lead at the top of the table by beating second place Sp. Braga on Saturday in an intense match - a glimpse of what Liverpool might be facing.

Let's get to the point: Benfica are having their best season in 16 years and it's no coincidence they have scored 104 goals in official matches in 2009-10.

Seven of those were against Everton, two at Goodison Park... so it's good to make the calculation and find out how many were scored against the Toffees in Lisbon.

Benfica's attack is powered by the talent of South Americans.

Left-winger Angel Di Maria is one of the hottest prospects in Europe and the Argentine is regularly being linked with a move to Spain or the Premier League. He is a combination of speed and skill, yet his shooting needs to improve.

Compatriot Javier Saviola is not unknown to world football, having played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid, and the diminutive forward proves that no matter what you use, inches or centimetres, his talent cannot be measured.

Benfica have another player from Argentina, and Diego Maradona once said about him: "Pablo Aimar is the only current footballer I'd pay to watch."

By then Aimar had just been transferred from River Plate to Valencia, where he would win a few things under some guy called Rafael Benitez...

After a disappointing first season in Lisbon, Aimar found his form by playing a centre midfield role and by having Saviola, whom he played with at River, in front of him.

A Paraguayan completes the threat. Oscar 'Tacuara' Cardozo may not be as famous as Roque Santa Cruz, but he has always scored more than 20 goals per season at Benfica.

Tall and strong, his left foot can do damage, but, on the other hand, his right can only help him get onto the team bus.

But beware, effectiveness is Cardozo's law - he has already scored 27 times in 2009-10.

Two Brazilian internationals also give strength to the team. Ramires was Benfica's most expensive transfer for the season, with the club paying almost 7 million pounds for the midfielder.

Luisao scored against Liverpool last time the teams met in Lisbon. He was on target again on Saturday and, although he still remains a substitute for the national team, he is having a great season.

One of the main reasons for Luisao's performance is, no doubt, the partnership with David Luiz.

This young centre-back with a Carlos Valderrama hairstyle arrived for a bargain fee and may be often accused of being too aggressive, but he also shows unique skills for a defender.

And he will only leave for a fortune: he has a 45 million pounds release fee clause and may be worth every penny...

By now, some of you may be thinking it would be better if God was on Liverpool's side. Well, Jesus will be sitting on Benfica's bench.

55-year-old Portuguese Jorge Jesus reached the highest point of his coaching career when he signed for Benfica earlier this season.

Jesus' debut as a manager dates back to 1989, but he has only won two minor titles, one of which came a week and a half ago as Benfica beat FC Porto in the League Cup final. Last year, Jesus won the Intertoto Cup with Sp. Braga.

There are no grey areas with Jesus - either you love him or you don't, depending if you are a Benfica supporter or another Portuguese league manager.

Jesus has had a few 'verbal' brawls with coaching colleagues. He is taken as being smug by some people, but his hard and good work is well recognised in the country.

Now, some facts.

Liverpool inflicted Benfica's second biggest defeat at home in UEFA competitions by beating the Eagles 4-1 at Da Luz, in 1983-84. Only Manchester United have done better by winning 5-1 in 1966.

At the new Benfica stadium, only one British club has won - United with a 1-0 in 2006-07.

Liverpool, Everton, and Celtic have all lost their games there, and even United were defeated in the Champions League in 2005-06.

Benfica have not lost a game since the beginning of 2010. In 43 matches this season, they have only failed to score in four. Two were goalless draws.

The others were two of three Benfica loses in all competitions - against Sp. Braga and AEK Athens, both of which were away from home.

I predict a game with goals, but if there is a win on Thursday for either team, it will be by a narrow margin.

I feel the decider will be at Anfield, where Benfica will try to reach their first European semi final in 16 years.

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