Uefa Champions League: Craig Bellamy suggested last night that his goal against Barcelona at Camp Nou was the highlight of his professional career, with the Wales striker insisting that the furore surrounding the training break in Portugal last week has actually helped the Liverpool squad to bond tighter.
Bellamy, who allegedly threatened John Arne Riise with a golf club when the team's final night on the Algarve degenerated, drew Liverpool level in Barcelona late in the first half before setting up Riise for the decisive second goal late on.
They will take a 2-1 lead into the second leg at Anfield in two weeks' time with the squad, many of whom are waiting to be fined for the role they played in Portugal, apparently united.
"It sounds mad, you know, but we have a quiet group of lads here and this had probably been the best week we've had together laugh-wise," said Bellamy, whose own future at the club had appeared in some doubt after the latest incident to blight his career.
"As it is, we can go and have a good laugh. I think it has brought us a lot closer together. Maybe because we had Barca coming up we knew we had to be closer and work together, so it was perfect really.
"A club in turmoil? We've had a decent week. We were all looking forward to this game and nothing could spoil that.
"I've been one of those players whose future is always apparently being talked about, every season. When I was at Blackburn Rovers last year it was 'he's moving on' and all that sort of stuff. When I was at Newcastle I was always linked to every window with somewhere else. When you are at a club like Liverpool and you're my sort of player, they are always either getting rid of or you're going somewhere.
"Personally, that (Liverpool's win) was probably the best moment I have had in my life, the highlight of my career. I've been lucky with my country as well, and I have had some good moments, but this has been the best one. I didn't feel as if I owed Liverpool a performance, except for the fact it's my boy's (Ellis) 10th birthday, so that was for him. But it was important that we didn't milk it and let them see us thinking it's all over, because it isn't."
Yet the possibility remains that the team's success in 2005, when Juventus and Chelsea were eliminated en route to victory against Milan in the final, can yet be emulated. Riise believes Benitez's tactical acumen in continental competition - the manager has won the Uefa and European Cups in the last five years - could yet prove decisive.
"In Europe we always seem to get a result," said the Norwegian. "For me, we have the best manager, tactically. No one expected us to play that way with the players we did and that shows how special he is."
Uefa are expected to fine Lille today when they meet to discuss disciplinary measures from the rancorous Champions League tie against Manchester United.
The French club can expect to be punished for the chaotic scenes after Ryan Giggs scored the winning goal on Tuesday night with a quickly taken free-kick. Lille's coaching staff appeared to encourage their players to leave the pitch in protest.
