We will get Euro glory nights back, says Yossi

February 25, 2009. The eyes of the football world are transfixed on Madrid, as two of the great superpowers go head-to-head in Champions League combat.

A tense game between Real Madrid and Liverpool ensues and it looks as if the first leg of their last 16 clash is heading for a no score draw, until referee Roberto Rosseti awards a free-kick on the right hand touchline after Gabriel Heinze hauls down Dirk Kuyt.

Martin Skrtel, Xabi Alonso and Kuyt all head to the back post, awaiting Fabio Aurelio's free-kick, but the Brazilian drops his centre in a little shorter, catching Madrid's defenders flat-footed and keeper Iker Casillias in no man's land.

Waiting gleefully on the edge of the six-yard box is Yossi Benayoun - arguably the smallest player on the pitch - and he rises ahead of Sergio Ramos to score one of the most famous goal in Liverpool's European history.

February 25, 2010. The eyes of the football world, it is safe to say, will not be transfixed on Bucharest, as Liverpool go head-to-head with Unirea Urziceni, aiming to protect a slender first leg lead and secure their place in the Europa League's last 16.

The difference in the two scenes, clearly, could not be more stark; 12 months on, apathy has replaced euphoria.

For Benayoun, however, there are no complaints that he will celebrate the anniversary of his coming of age as a Liverpool player in a dank, grey city rather than soaking in the atmosphere of one of Europe's many footballing cathedrals.

"How different will it be? This is football," was the Israeli midfielder's philosophical view when asked to make the contrast between the scenes. "It's just one of those things. You can't be too disappointed, you just have to keep going on.

"We have been an important team in the Champions League in the last few years and this has been the only time we haven't been in the knockout stages. But we can't think about it. We just have to make sure that we finish in the top four and get to where we want to be."

Focused though he may be on helping the Reds accomplish this latest mission, inevitably Benayoun will allow himself a moment at some point today to reflect on the moment when he finally felt as if he belonged at Anfield.

Prior to that trip to the Spanish capital, Benayoun had been neat and tidy, scored hat-tricks in the Champions League and FA Cup - against Besiktas and Havant & Waterlooville - but never really convinced he belonged on this stage.

One header later, it all changed. Benayoun became an increasingly influential figure as Liverpool came within a whisker of winning the title and carried on where he left off this season, with a string of stellar performances.

"That was an amazing game," Rafa Benitez recalled. "Everyone was expecting us to lose but Yossi's goal put us in an important position and, after the second leg, it was even better. But, yes, it was a crucial night for Yossi.

"He started playing with more confidence. He is a player with quality but sometimes the problem was consistency. Now that has changed. He has always been skilful, can beat defenders and find a pass but he can score more goals.

"That is something he can improve, particularly if he tries to finish more in different areas. But he is a different kind of player and gives us options which you need when the opposition team is compact and organised."

Indeed, it says everything about this inventive 29-year-old's stock that his recent absences from the side, due to hamstring and rib problems, were mourned almost as much as those of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.

"That goal was the defining moment of my career here," he said. "Although I'd had a couple of good games before, after Madrid I just felt better and better. I started playing more and more games, my confidence was up and I started scoring a few more goals.

"It was a special moment. To score a winning goal with my head? Well that is not the strongest part of my game, so it made it all the more special. Personally it gave me a lot of confidence because then I started to play better and better for Liverpool."

Playing better, of course, is something Liverpool need to do as a collective from now, not just to ensure their European adventure continues into spring but also to galvanise a lift in the atmosphere at games.

There is a real danger that this campaign will fizzle out with a whimper, especially if the unthinkable happens and they squander the lead that was established at Anfield seven days ago, thanks to David Ngog's brave header.

Important, then, to cross the obstacle facing them here to set up a date next month with either Lille or Fenerbahce; the further they go in the Europa League, the more it will aid confidence and that, in turn, can impact positively on Premier League form.

"The Europa League is very important," said Benayoun. "We want to be in the Champions League but we are concentrating on doing well in the Premier League and we want to go as far as we can in Europe. We won 1-0 at Anfield last week but now we have to make sure we finish the job. This is the only title we can win and to do that would be a big positive for everyone. Next year will be a big difference if we are in the Champions League."

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.