Tuesday Feb 21 2006 09:04
Liverpool full-back Steve Finnan is expecting a tough time marking Benfica winger Laurent Robert in the Estadio da Luz on Tuesday.
Finnan has played against the gifted, but inconsistent, Robert on a number of occasions during his spell with Newcastle United and believes the Frenchman will be Benfica's danger man in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 tie.
"Benfica signed a very good player," the Republic of Ireland international told the LFC magazine.
"He is someone I know well from facing him in England and he scored a few good goals against us in his Newcastle days, and we've had a few good tussles down the years.
"I am sure it will be the same this time, I can promise him a really good battle again."
He added: "We know they have some excellent players who can really hurt us with their skills going forward if we let them play.
"Nuno Gomes has played in Italy and for Portugal at the highest level, so we know what a good striker he is and they have some excellent Brazilians in their side.
"Beto in midfield knows how to shoot from distance, but their main threats will come from the wings with Robert and Simao Sabrosa.
"Barcelona bought Simao to replace Luis Figo a few years back, so he has to be a danger and needs keeping quiet."
Robert missed Benfica's weekend defeat against Vitoria Guimaraes with a thigh injury, but has been passed fit to face the Reds.
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