Final outcome only beginning for Liverpool
Victory or defeat will not really change the way Rafael Benitez is viewed at Anfield.
From an unlikely position, Benitez has masterminded a Red revolution which, if not quite restoring the Merseyside giants to their pre-eminent position of two decades ago, has at least shoved them back among the European heavyweights again.
In fact, with two appearances in the final of Europe’s most prestigious club competition within three years, Benitez has already eclipsed Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson, who despite years of trying have only managed one visit each.
But a win to equal the record of opponents AC Milan by notching a sixth triumph in the tournament would do more than merely commit Liverpool’s huge support to waving two hands in front of their Man Utd counterparts in order to emphasise their European superiority.
It would also represent the perfect way to herald what promises to be a new and glorious era for the club which remains United’s only true Premier League rival when it comes to global appeal.
Much as they would prefer not to admit it, the north-west rivals share many things; an illustrious past tinged with tragedy, a loyal and massive support which extends far beyond city boundaries, an unstinting expectation of success.
And, since February, both Liverpool and United are under the stewardship of wealthy backers from the US.
The difference between Malcolm Glazer’s Old Trafford reign and the, admittedly short, time George Gillett and Tom Hicks have been in control at Liverpool, is stark.
While the Glazer family prefer infrequent and unseen visits to United, initially in the back of a police van but now by more conventional methods, and offer barely a public utterance on the club they bought for an eye-bulging £800million (€1.1bn), Gillett and Hicks have been far more forthcoming.
That is not to say the Glazers care any less, just that they prefer to operate under a cloak of secrecy which frustrates those who wish to venture beneath.
In contrast, Gillett and Hicks have not been shy in outlining their vision for Liverpool, which is why we know they see tomorrow as the key day this week rather than tonight.
It is then the pair will sit down with Benitez to plot a path for progress which they are determined will end with Liverpool once again taking what is regarded around Anfield way as their rightful place at the head of the English game.
“It is going to be an important summer,” acknowledges Benitez. “The American owners have now been at the club for a few months and can see what is possible here. We are already one of the most famous names in football and it is a perfect opportunity to take advantage of this.”
No matter which of the polarised emotions triggered by victory or defeat Liverpool and their supporters eventually endure in the Olympic Stadium tonight, it will have little impact on the club’s overall image.
Yet what a surge of energy it would provide for Benitez and his backroom staff as they assess the challenge of clawing back the 21-point gap which existed between Liverpool and United at the season’s end.
And it is that statistic rather than the scoreline in Athens which will be uppermost in the minds of the men who matter this week which, in a converse way, places most of the pressure for victory against Milan on the shoulders of a few players whose long-term Liverpool futures are by no means certain.
As the Premier League title is, beyond question, the Holy Grail for Benitez now, there are some members of his squad whose involvement is automatic.
There are plenty of others who do not make the list, good players but ones who are yet to prove they are capable of operating at the rarefied level the new Liverpool now require. Among that number are Craig Bellamy, Peter Crouch, Jermaine Pennant and Harry Kewell.
With cash in his pocket, Benitez now knows he can bid for the best. He is in the driving seat, the bus is going; tonight will tell us exactly who deserves to be on board.
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