RAFAEL BENITEZ admits Liverpool face a "difficult" task to reach the Europa League final - but believes his players can claim another Old Trafford triumph tomorrow.

Yesterday's draw for the quarter-finals of the Europa League in Nyon paired the Anfield outfit with in-form Portuguese side Benfica.

Should Liverpool progress, they will then come up against either Benitez's former club Valencia or another Spanish side, Atletico Madrid.

Benfica are currently three points clear at the top of their domestic league and shot to prominence in Merseyside after beating Everton both home and away in the group stage, including a 5-0 thrashing in Lisbon.

Liverpool travel to Portugal for the first leg on April 1, with the return at Anfield the following week.

And with Benfica having eliminated his side from the Champions League in 2006, Benitez was quick to warn his players of the challenge ahead.

"Benfica are on a good run at the moment so it will be difficult," said the Anfield mnager. "We know they are a good team and of course we have played them before in the Champions League,.

"They are a massive club with a lot of support from their fans and it will be a tough game.

"They are top of the table and playing really well at the moment. I know a number of their players well - Aimar, Saviola, Garcia - so we know they have a lot of quality.

"It's always important that the second leg is at home in front of our fans. We know we have to perform away and then play well at home. We have the confidence to do that and are looking forward to the games.

"Because we have played Benfica before they will know Anfield and so may not be as scared as other teams, but we have to do things properly and try to go through."

While the Europa League represents Liverpool's final chance of silverware this season, they are still fighting to claim fourth place in the Premier League and a swift return to the Champions League.

They visit Manchester United tomorrow aiming for a fourth successive win over their bitter North West rivals and a repeat of last year's 4-1 historic win at Old Trafford.