Rafael Benítez has a clear picture when approaching Premier League games, using his rotational policy, and another when it comes to dealing with major Champions League matches. Clearly, although Liverpool fans crave a period of domestic domination by wresting control from Manchester United, their Spanish leader sees European success as the key to major accolades.
Away from home, whether it be in Istanbul or Barcelona, Benítez sets out his stall precisely and is unfazed, whomever the opposition. He knows that in an away game, no matter how much opponents might dominate the ball and attack, chances will fall to his team over the 90 minutes. He preaches patience and conveys clear instructions, almost to the extent of pleading with his side not to become restless if the opposition are monopolising the ball. An opportunity will eventually come.
Given the balance of this tie, Real Madrid can expect Benítez to adopt those European away tactics at Anfield this evening. Benítez, like Gérard Houllier before him on Merseyside, is a naturally cautious manager who rarely plays expansive football with wide players dashing down the flanks. His is a solid block, relying upon discipline and his players demonstrating a real understanding of the system he wants to adopt. It is a tactic that has worked wonders in the Champions League.
It is a simple system. He wants his team to defend and implement a solid, organised shape quickly, almost inviting the opposition to attack. It demands an unambitious, rugged back four; two deep-lying midfielders charged largely with destructive, defensive duties; and speed and precision on the counter-attack. Simplistic that may be, but it needs huge discipline to succeed. The slightest lapse by any unit and opponents can swarm through, yet this group has bought into the gameplan.
His is a back four that doesn't lose its shape or position, one which includes full-backs programmed to sit at home and not go careering forward in support. If you cut out the space either side of your centre-backs, there is no freedom down the sides – no channels – for opposition attackers to run into and create opportunities. Furthermore, when the full-backs stay in position, the centre-backs are always more comfortable about receiving reliable cover if they do make a mistake. It is a matter of making sure the distance between any two defenders at any time is only a few yards at most.
Just as vital in what is effectively a 4-2-3-1 are the solid midfield sitters, Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano. Neither will ever develop a nosebleed playing higher in the opposition half. Rarely prepared to roam into forward areas, they work in front of the centre-backs, tackling, anticipating and giving the ball quickly to the team's more dangerous, creative part. They are the foundations upon which attacks are built.
Players from Spain, Brazil and Argentina understand the more patient game Benítez likes to play. They have been brought up in the less frenetic atmosphere as junior players and at early professional level back home, where the accent is on technique rather than blood and thunder. Aurelio, Arbeloa, Alonso, Mascherano, Riera and even the goalkeeper, Reina, are therefore effective in European games as they have the mentality to accept sitting patiently and waiting to pounce.
Above all, they know that, in Torres, Benayoun and Gerrard, particularly, a goal can be conjured in a trice. There was a time when possession was nine-tenths of the law, particularly in midfield. These days, however, counter-attacking is recognised as a team's major weapon. It is the speed that you transfer a ball – when possession switches between the sides – that is key. Fast players have flourished in the modern game, seizing every opportunity to spring forward when the opposition concedes possession, hoping their opponents have over-committed and you can quickly get a man over.
Liverpool have become experts at this tactic. Gerrard, with his wonderful range of long and short but always accurate passes, can liberate Torres and the Spanish striker takes a high percentage of his chances. Kuyt, Riera and Benayoun, likewise, all know when and where to break. It is quite probable that if one studies the statistics, Arsenal and Manchester United, and also maybe Chelsea, dominate possession in European games far more than Liverpool, but this has not always translated into goals scored. Liverpool, with less possession, rely on the counter and it suits their plan, their players and their wily European fox, Benítez.
