Rafael Benitez needs to once again prove his European Pedigree

No, not Sammy Lee, he'll be there, but the loss of Steven Gerrard, the catalyst of all the above reversals, means Liverpool's task becomes instantly tougher. Add to that the loss of Johnson, Aurelio, Skrtel and Riera and we can see what an uphill struggle they face.

The major interest is the team selection. Who plays right back? No Johnson, No Martin Kelly and with Degen not registered for the Champions League it seems to be a choice between Jamie Carragher and Stephen Darby.

There have been rumours in the pat that Carra has refused to play right back, remember Liege away, the trip to the Riverside and Sunderland at home last season? In the latter of that trio, Mascherano was employed there, would Rafa risk taking him out of the middle? I think/hope not.

If the stand in captain does start in an unpreferred role then Sortirios Kyrgiakos will partner Daniel Agger at centre half with Emiliano Insua at left back. Into midfield where Lucas Leiva, Mascherano and Yossi Benayoun are certanties, (if there is such a thing in a Liverpool team.) Dirk Kuyt will obviously start too whilst Andriy Voronin, Ryan Babel and maybe even Andrea Dossenna are vying for a start, depending on the shape of the team.

Then there's the Torres question. If he's not able to complete ninety minutes then does he start the game or come on if needed? The same with Alberto Aquilani, although I would be surprised if the Italian gets his first start in such an important game.

These are the decisions that Rafa has to make, and are the situations where he has a proven record of getting results. If ever he needs a performance and another impressive away European victory, it is now. I dread to think what happens if he doesn't. Fingers crossed. And toes.