Why Liverpool FC reign in Spain

Liverpool get their Champions League group fixtures underway with an away tie here in Spain on Tuesday night but for many in their squad it will be more like a triumphant homecoming.

For the Spanish contingent in the Red ranks a return to their homeland is always a special occasion. But it won't just be the likes of Rafael Benitez, Luis Garcia, Xabi Alonso, Fernando Morientes and Josemi, who'll receive a warm welcome when they touch down in Sevilla ahead of the tie against Real Betis.

Liverpool's heroic Champions League triumph last season not only put their name firmly back on the European map. It also won them the affection of the football loving public of Spain.

The reigning Champions of Europe are without doubt THE most popular foreign football club in this country right now. The Spanish people know all about them and, in a way, they have become the 21st club of La Liga.

Ever since Rafael Benitez took charge of the Reds just over twelve months ago there has been a massive interest over here in events at Anfield. The fact that Benitez enjoyed such a successful first season has only served to intensify the focus and as a result it's become easy to follow Liverpool's fortunes in Spain.

The reigning Champions of Europe are without doubt THE most popular foreign football club in this country right now. The Spanish people know all about them and, in a way, they have become the 21st club of La Liga.

A lot of the games are live on television and the newspapers always publish their results, not to mention reports on how Rafa and his fellow Spaniards are doing.

The only possible downside to this for Liverpool is that they are no longer an unknown quantity in Spain and Betis will know as much about them as they would a team in La Liga.

Everyone here knows what Liverpool achieved last season and they also know how it was achieved. The moment they reached the semi-final of the Champions League the Spanish public took to them like one of their own. And for many reasons.

To start with, there were no Spanish teams left in the competition at this stage. Then, of course, there was the fact that Liverpool's coach and many of their players are of Spanish origin. Also there was the anti-Mourinho feeling in Spain after the way Barcelona had been eliminated by Chelsea. All of this managed to stoke up pro-Liverpool feelings throughout the country.

When they reached the final, Spanish support for them grew and grew because their opponents Milan are considered a 'black beast' to followers of Real Madrid and Barcelona. Barcelona were once beaten 4-0 by Milan in a famous European Cup Final some years back, while Madrid have also suffered some major disappointments against Milan during the Butragueno years of the mid to late eighties.

The UEFA showpiece at the Ataturk was watched in Spain by a similar amount of people that would tune in to watch the national side and they won't forget the heroic Liverpool display in a hurry.

Tuesday's tie in Sevilla will be Liverpool's first appearance since that unforgettable night in Istanbul and the view in Spain right now is that Rafa is still re-building the team but that on their day Liverpool are capable of beating anyone.

The clash with Betis is certainly one of the matches that people are talking about over here and it's bound to be a fascinating clash.

Along with the fans of Athletic Bilbao, the followers of Real Betis are probably the most passionate in Spain. There is always a very noisy atmosphere inside their stadium. It is continuous, before, during and after the match. Sevilla is a city that talks about football non-stop, and in this respect it is very similar to Liverpool.

As for Betis the team, I'd say they are a very balanced outfit. They defend well and have two strong centre-backs that would grace any Premiership side. They have a midfield that can score goals, especially from the likes of Assuncao who is dangerous from dead ball situations. And of course, they have one of the most exciting wingers in the world in Joaquin, who plays down the right side. He's weak defensively but once he attacks he's capable of creating something out of nothing.

Ten per cent of the city's inhabitants are season-ticket holders at either Real Betis or Sevilla and I don't think there is a city anywhere else in the world that can boast this. This tells you how much passion there is.

As for Betis the team, I'd say they are a very balanced outfit. They defend well and have two strong centre-backs that would grace any Premiership side. They have a midfield that can score goals, especially from the likes of Assuncao who is dangerous from dead ball situations.

And of course, they have one of the most exciting wingers in the world in Joaquin, who plays down the right side. He's weak defensively but once he attacks he's capable of creating something out of nothing. Then up front Betis can boast one of the best attacking partnerships in La Liga. Edu and Oliveira are two Brazilians that have managed to link very well. One scores goals and the other assists.

It's not going to be an easy game for Liverpool. I see Liverpool, Betis and Chelsea as the three key teams in this group and any points that can be taken from games between these teams will be vital.

I expect them all to steal points from each other. It wouldn't surprise me to see Betis go to Anfield and get a point but equally Liverpool can come away from Betis with three points. It's going to be that type of group.

Obviously, the majority of people in Spain will be hoping Betis can celebrate their Champions League debut by winning through to the knockout phase but there'll be double delight if Liverpool are the team that go through with them.

I must admit to having a vested interest in the fortunes of Liverpool. For the past twelve months I have followed them closely for a book I have been writing.

It's called 'A Season On The Brink' and it's about Rafael Benitez's first year at Anfield - what he's changed at the club, his relationship with the players and how they accepted him, how he managed to reach the Champions League Final in Istanbul and what happened along the way.

Basically, it's the inside story of what was the most exciting club of last season.

I'm a big admirer of Rafa. I've known him for a number of years now and the relationship I have with him works well. It's very professional and full of respect. When I reflect on the amazing success he has achieved I must say I am not surprised. I said as soon as he arrived that he was going to be very special, that he had the ambition, knowledge and confidence to take this club forward.

I'm a big admirer of Rafa. I've known him for a number of years now and the relationship I have with him works well. It's very professional and full of respect.

When I reflect on the amazing success he has achieved I must say I am not surprised. I said as soon as he arrived that he was going to be very special, that he had the ambition, knowledge and confidence to take this club forward.

I also felt, and it's actually in print, that initially it would be easier for him to make an impact on the Champions League rather than the Premiership because he knows the European game very well and had already won the UEFA Cup with Valencia.

At the same time he's got the football intelligence to realise what is still missing at Liverpool and he's applied this in the signings he has made during the summer. I feel they are stronger now and I don't think we will see them losing as many matches away from home this season.

Whether they can win the Champions League I do not know. That is going to be a tall order. Not many teams in recent history have achieved this - AC Milan being the last to do so in 1990 - and I don't think many people are expecting this.

Saying that there weren't many people who expected Liverpool to go so far in the competition last season. Even less thought they could come back from three goals down against AC Milan in the final, so with Liverpool you can never say never and only a fool would write them off.