Besiktas v Liverpool:Three days after Mark Clattenburg consigned the Merseyside derby to history, security staff at Liverpool John Lennon airport were still disputing the referee's status as a friend or pariah yesterday. The debate between red and blue continues, even while frisking, but parochialism was not Rafael Benitez's concern as he departed for the home of his greatest triumph with Liverpool's Champions League security also a matter of conjecture.
Istanbul is permanent in Liverpool affections but one point from two games in Group A means this return to the Bosphorus holds no opportunity for indulging past miracles. Benitez and his team were spared an uncomfortable inquest into their tactics and form at Goodison Park and the manager, while at great pains to stress the positives of a derby victory rather than the glaring deficiencies, does at least accept the perilousness of Liverpool's plight if they fail at Besiktas, where a hostile reception awaits them tonight.
"My players are experienced and they don't need me to tell them how important this game is; they know we cannot afford to lose," said Benitez, who arrived in Turkey with Xabi Alonso in his squad for the first time in five weeks but without the club's record signing, Fernando Torres, who has not recovered from a thigh strain.
"It is clear we need three points. If we lose it will be really difficult for us to qualify. If we draw then a lot will depend on the other results in our group."
Benitez withstood a barrage of coins and cigarette lighters on his last visit to the Inonu Stadium, with Valencia, but having risked the wrath of his captain and support by withdrawing Steven Gerrard against the 10 men of Everton on Saturday, and mindful of the Turks' position at the bottom of the group, the manager's boldness may also be evident in his approach tonight. "We are here for a win," he stated.
The Liverpool manager held a private meeting with Gerrard on Monday morning to discuss his substitution in the derby and though both have since declared peace, the captain has been left in no doubt as to where the power in their relationship rightfully lies.
Benitez explained: "I can understand the reaction. Stevie is a key player and everything is still the same. If I need to use him I will do and if I need to replace him it's because I'm thinking of what's best for the team. We have spoken and he knows my idea."
A torrid Champions League start at Porto and a tepid performance in the home defeat to Marseille have raised questions about whether Liverpool's appetite for the toil of the group stage has been diluted by the glamour, prestige and glory of two European Cup finals in three seasons. Questions, it must be said, that Benitez was keen to dismiss. "It is not a problem with the team and it is only two games," he said. "We made a big mistake in one game - that's all - and we know we have to win to put things right. The real problem was Marseille, and in a short competition like the group stages it means we have to win again quickly."
With Alonso fit, Lucas Leiva impressing in a belated cameo at the weekend and Gerrard, Javier Mascherano and Mohamed Sissoko in the squad, a dilemma surrounds Benitez's midfield selection against a Besiktas squad inferior in numbers, quality and European experience. Those disadvantages did not diminish Marseille's impact at Anfield, however, and Benitez is aware of what failure would mean to a club who have relied heavily on Champions League riches in recent years.
"As a manager I can only think about football. You think about the bigger picture afterwards," he insisted. "I can't worry about that now but we have to be in the knock-out stages. He was encouraged by the win at Everton: "Previously we were working hard without winning and people were talking and doubting the players, so it is really good to play against Besiktas with a good win behind us."
