Liverpool FC will get back to European glory nights says Yossi Benayoun

25 February 2010 05:00
FEBRUARY 25, 2009. The eyes of the football world are transfixed on Madrid, as two of the great superpowers go head-to-head in Champions League combat.[LNB]A tense game between Real Madrid and Liverpool ensues and it looks as if the first leg of their last 16 clash is heading for a no score draw, until referee Roberto Rosseti awards a free-kick on the right hand touchline after Gabriel Heinze hauls down Dirk Kuyt.[LNB]Martin Skrtel, Xabi Alonso and Kuyt all head to the back post, awaiting Fabio Aurelio's free-kick, but the Brazilian drops his centre in a little shorter, catching Madrid's defenders flat-footed and keeper Iker Casillias in no man's land.[LNB]Waiting gleefully on the edge of the six-yard box is Yossi Benayoun - arguably the smallest player on the pitch - and he rises ahead of Sergio Ramos to score one of the most famous goal in Liverpool's European history.[LNB]February 25, 2010. The eyes of the football world, it is safe to say, will not be transfixed on Bucharest, as Liverpool go head-to-head with Unirea Urziceni, aiming to protect a slender first leg lead and secure their place in the Europa League's last 16.[LNB]The difference in the two scenes, clearly, could not be more stark and all it serves to illustrates is how far Liverpool have slumped since that glorious night in the Bernabeu; 12 months on, apathy has replaced euphoria.[LNB]For Benayoun, however, there are no complaints that he will celebrate the anniversary of his coming of age as a Liverpool player in a dank, grey city rather than soaking in the atmosphere of one of Europe's many footballing cathedrals.[LNB]'How different will it be? This is football,' was the Israeli midfielder's philosophical view when asked to make the contrast between the scenes. 'It's just one of those things. You can't be too disappointed, you just have to keep going on.[LNB]'We have been an important team in the Champions League in the last few years and this has been the only time we haven't been in the knockout stages. But we can't think about it. We just have to make sure that we finish in the top four and get to where we want to be.'

Source: Liverpool_Echo