As a culture we seem to have become too hasty. Perhaps its an aspect of the modern world, instant news, instant fixes, instant success; we want everything, and we want it now, now, now. I have been surprised by the stick some Liverpool fans have been giving Benitez: are the Pool fans nuts? Benitez has won them the European cup for the first time in 20 years; then he won the FA Cup and then he took them back to a European Cup final, which as a neutral I thought they were a little unlucky to lose. And he has done all this in just 3 years! Ferguson has made one Champion’s League final in 15 years; Wenger one in 11 years, which he lost; and Mourinho none in three years.

Benitez rests players because he understands that its important to have his key men fit and ready next March and April – at the business end of the season. Why exhaust guys like Torres now, and run the risk that they are knackered by February? Benitez has an outstanding career record; and he’s doing a great job at Liverpool. You Pool fans: cut the man a little slack and lighten up.

In the past three years Liverpool have beaten Milan after being 0-3 down; they have gone to the Nou camp and beaten Barcelona; they have knocked Chelsea out of semi-finals twice; and Manchester United know that games against their most bitter rivals can always go either way. No European side has a better record than Liverpool’s over the past 3 years. Only Milan can match them; two finals, one win.

Liverpool, like Milan, seem to negotiate the knockout phase of the competition with great professionalism. They might not play the most attractive football, but their football is certainly amongst the most effective.

So, most of Europe will naturally be wishing Liverpool “au revoir” from this year’s competition, when the Pool go looking for that win in Marseilles.