Source: Daily_Mail
Liverpool beware: Benfica are better since scoring seven past Everton, says Luisao
Liverpool have been handed a dire Europa League warning after giant defender Luisao claimed Benfica were an even more potent force than when they tore Everton apart five months ago.[LNB]Everton had no answer to the pace of Angel di Maria or finishing of Javier Saviola and Oscar Cardozo, as Benfica routed them 5-0 in Lisbon and eased to a 2-0 win in the second leg at Goodison Park.[LNB] Hot shot: Di Maria (right) has been in fine form for Benfica[LNB]Worryingly for Liverpool, it was a fortnight after the return meeting on Merseyside that Benfica embarked on a remarkable sequence that Luisao maintained with a 44th-minute winner against nearest rivals Braga at the weekend.[LNB]Danger man: Benfica forward Cardozo (left)[LNB]The Brazil centre back's decisive strike not only opened up a six-point advantage over second-placed Braga but meant Benfica have now scored in every one of their last 25 games, a run that has yielded 54 goals.[LNB]As a further indication of the Benfica success story this season, they expect home attendances to pass the one million mark when Liverpool visit the Estadio da Luz in the Europa League quarter-final first leg on Thursday night.[LNB]'We are in good shape,' said Luisao. 'There was such a lot riding on the Braga game, but now that is out of the way, we can really concentrate all our efforts on Liverpool. [LNB]'The mood in the camp is really good. We are all positive about the way we are playing and incredibly motivated to produce our best form against Liverpool.'[LNB] Leader: Brazil defender Luisao (left) captains Benfica[LNB]Di Maria's future has been the subject of intense speculation, with Sportsmail recently revealing an approach from Manchester United, while the combination of Saviola and Cardozo up front has proved unstoppable.[LNB]Each scored twice in the 5-0 thrashing of Everton, while Paraguay marksman Cardozo has notched three hat-tricks in his overall tally of 28 goals.[LNB] Liverpool on alert as Raul is tipped to leave Real Madrid on free transferNaughty boy! Liverpool's Aquilani gets ticking off for not learning EnglishBenitez desperate to finish fourth and keep Liverpool star Torres sweetDi Maria mulls Benfica exit as United and Chelsea circle Argentina aceLIVERPOOL FC
