Uefa Champions League Previews: The conquistador has returned. Rafael Benitez brought the European champions back to his homeland yesterday aboard a garish, if appropriately bright, red plane to open the defence of their title. Liverpool have been restored to the pinnacle of continental competition but, for the Spaniard, tonight's awkward contest with Real Betis in Group G is the first step on the road to further heady success.

Benitez is not one to rest on his achievements. His office at the team's Melwood training complex bears no reference to the glorious night in Istanbul last May when this club's fifth European Cup was wrested from Milan.

"There are no photographs in my office, just videos of our games and our opponents," said the manager. "I have memories from the final and they are enough. I prefer to start thinking about the next challenge, and that is Betis."

Success in this competition established Liverpool, with their numerous Spanish connections, as the country's supporters' second club, though that is unlikely to draw the sting from a venomous atmosphere at the Estadio Ruiz de Lopera tonight. Real are making their first appearance in the Champions League after a startling fourth place last season and, though Benitez's record against them while at Valencia was impressive, a fraught night lies ahead.

Liverpool's away form in the group last year saw defeats at Monaco and Olympiakos and now, with Chelsea and Anderlecht to come, solidity is required in their opening fixture. The threat posed by the hosts' thrilling winger Joaquin may be nullified already - he had a scan on a knee injury yesterday - and they have lost the striker Edu with injury, but Ricardo Oliveira remains a potent threat. The forward played for Benitez at Valencia and hit Saturday's winner against Osasuna.

"They are a difficult team to meet in our first game," said Benitez, who will see shadows of his great Valencia side in Betis. "They are solid in defence, strong on the break and a real threat from set pieces. I am proud to be taking the European champions back to my country, but in football you cannot think about the past. I am not thinking about winning this trophy again for the moment. I can only concentrate on making sure we are more consistent home and away."

Liverpool have been consistent so far this term, if largely in their defensive prowess. They have yet to concede a Premiership goal, though they have not scored away in the league. That much is infuriating, particularly given the failed attempt to bring Michael Owen back. But, where Benitez hoped Champions League success last season would help his attempts to strengthen his squad, he has actually found it a hindrance.

Prices have doubled, with clubs aware that Liverpool earned £20million en route to victory in Istanbul last term, leaving the search for a centre-half and a right-winger, together with, possibly, a forward, on hold until January. In the meantime, with Fernando Morientes hamstrung, the onus will be on Peter Crouch to score the goals to propel Liverpool out of their group.

Crouch, after a first Premiership start on Saturday is most likely to start tonight in a lone role up front.

Four years ago the 6ft 7in striker was ridiculed mercilessly playing for QPR at Gillingham. "That was probably the worst stick I ever got," said Crouch, who will be watched by England's coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.

"But I have moved on a lot since then." Liverpool will hope they, too, have progressed.

Guardian Service