BENFICA forward Adel Taarabt insists he has nothing to prove in the Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool after a frustrating personal time in English football.

The Morocco international had spells at Tottenham, QPR and Fulham but he left in 2014, initially on loan to AC Milan, before joining the Portuguese giants a year later having never really fulfilled his potential.

A last-eight clash against Jurgen Klopp’s side presents an opportunity to showcase his talents to an English audience once more, but Taarabt says all his efforts are geared towards winning.

“I have nothing to prove, only for myself and my team. That’s it,” said the 32-year-old ahead of this evening’s first-leg clash in Portugal.

“Of course it is a special occasion for me because I used to live in England and played there for seven years but to prove anything? I don’t think so.

“When you play for Benfica you know every game is important. We play all the games to win: tomorrow is the quarter-final of the Champions League and we know it is very important for us.”

Taarabt was asked about the prospect of facing Liverpool, who have lost just once since the end of December and are currently on a run of 10 successive Premier League victories.

“We respect them but we don’t fear them,” he added. “It is a team which has been playing four or five years together so I think they have the momentum and know each other very well.

“When I played Liverpool they were an inconsistent team, already a great team but with players coming in and out. This one is more strong.”

Benfica caretaker coach Nelson Verissimo is another who may be seen to have something to prove.

He took over on a temporary basis in December when Jorge Jesus was sacked but the team are still nine points behind second-placed Sporting and 12 behind Porto – whom the Reds hammered 5-1 in Portugal and 2-0 at Anfield.

It has been reported in Lisbon he has held talks with the club president but Verissimo insisted the team is more important than his future, with the club having not gone past the quarter-final stage since 1990, when they were beaten in the final by AC Milan.

“Everyone seems to be very concerned about whether I will be here next year,” said Verissimo.

“Before the Braga game [which they lost 3-2 on Friday] I already said I am not concerned. If I am here, I’m here, if I am not I’m not.

“The most important thing is six upcoming games in the Portuguese League and at least two games in the Champions League. That’s my main concern until May 15 when we play the last match of the league.

“My future is the least important thing right now. The most important thing is we reach the semi-finals of the Champions League.

“We haven’t done this [reach the quarter-finals] for six years. We may reach the semis of the Champions League, which we have never done in this format and we need to cling onto that.

“We just hope this comes true and we will fight to make it happen.”

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has a full squad to select from for tonight’s match.

Naby Keita has recovered from a knee issue that saw him sit out the 2-0 Premier League win over Watford on Saturday.

Fellow midfielder Curtis Jones and defender Joel Matip sustained knocks in that contest but are also available. Right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold could be back in action after returning to the matchday squad as an unused substitute at the weekend.