Benitez will once again be looking to Europe for silverware

In recent years Liverpool’s pedigree in Europe is as good as any other team on the continent. Consistently though, they fail to match up to expectations in domestic competition, with questions being repeatedly raised over Benitez’s selection policy and his tactics as far as the Premiership is concerned. In Europe though, it is a different matter, but progression to the final stages of the Champions League, particularly this year, depends on Liverpool’s ability to play the football that has served them so well in Europe against domestic opposition.

Liverpool have often faced the criticism of being somewhat shapeless. In Europe Benitez has been able to tailor his team to the opposition, but when forced to dictate their own terms Liverpool often find themselves struggling. Against Milan in last year’s final, a match they were probably favourites for, they looked unable to penetrate and hence lost without much of a fight. With the addition of Torres to the squad, however, Benitez has been able to settle on a formation – generally deploying a 4-2-3-1 – a tactic that he used with such success at Valencia.

At the back, a lack of pace could yet cost Liverpool dear. They have a strong goalkeeper, but a back four that lacks any strength in depth, or world-class quality, apart perhaps from Carragher who is not currently having his best season for the club. In midfield with the likes of Alonso, Mascherano and Gerrard in the centre of the pitch, and with the addition of Leiva, they have a midfield as good as any in the world. On the flanks Babel is coming into his own but looks like he will need time to develop – on the other flank, though, the deployment of Kuyt on a regular basis strikes of a lack of quality in Benitez’s squad.

So can they go all the way? Against Arsenal earlier in the season – when they weren’t at the top of their game – they handled Wenger’s team in full flow, admittedly with a few tight moments. Against Chelsea over two legs you would back Liverpool, particularly with Chelsea steered by Grant rather than Mourinho. Providing the fitness of their best players Liverpool will threaten anyone, but unlike some other top teams – notably Barcelona and Chelsea – Liverpool can’t afford to lose Gerrard or Torres. With those two fit, however, Liverpool would be worth a bet against anyone.

Blue Square betting odds to win Champions League:  7/1