But there is not much anyone can teach him about tactics in European football.

Once again Benitez had almost all the answers as Liverpool lost 1-0 to Barcelona on a compelling night at Anfield but eased through on away goals (2-2) to take their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League they won two years ago.

For the most part, 'ease' was the right word, despite defeat to a late goal from Eidur Gudjohnsen.

The Liverpool supporters might agonise over the club's failure to add to their 18 league titles. They might wonder how they can dominate Manchester United at Anfield and still lose 1-0 last weekend.

But who would bet against them taking their European Cup tally to six in Athens in May?

Not when Benitez organises his team so sturdily and efficiently.

Not after a performance in which so much of their work emulated the Liverpool of the Shankly years.

Quick passing, simple movement, the running of such as Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy always supplying an escape route.

Yes, they need to improve the fire power. They need a 20-goals-a-season striker to fulfil their potential. They could do without such a nervy finish to another game they controlled for such long periods.

But they are through and champions Barcelona are out.

It should be said that Barcelona are no longer the force of old, no more than a shadow of the team who beat Arsenal at the Stade de France 10 months ago.

They looked for hope from the returning Samuel Eto'o, although in the end he lasted just an hour before being replaced by Ludovic Giuly.

The feud between Eto'o and Ronaldinho had been at the heart of Barcelona's recent disharmony.

But it is not the only source of Barcelona's problems.

The body language is all wrong. The sharpness has gone from Ronaldinho's game, despite one burst which saw him strike the Liverpool post. In Spain currently there is a debate about his weight.

But there is a soft underbelly also to Barcelona's defence. They did not appear happy with the 3-4-3 system preferred by Frank Rijkaard and pressure is clearly growing on the Dutch coach.

Indeed, in the contest between the managers this tie was a resounding 2-0 win to Benitez, whose boldness in the Nou Camp set the tone for this second leg.

Liverpool, of course, did not have to win on the night to go through. A draw or a low-scoring defeat was always going to be enough.

But European nights at Anfield are never so considered. They are blood-coursing, ear-splitting cauldrons of passion.

It was no surprise when a dipping volley from John Arne Riise crashed against the Barcelona crossbar as early as the 11th minute.

Nor when a shuddering block tackle by Jamie Carragher on Deco reminded Barcelona that this was a night when Spaniards would pass at their peril.

All the early pressure came from Liverpool. Bellamy and Kuyt drew saves from Victor Valdes, Riise had a header blocked on the line and Mohamed Sissoko hit the bar from 40 yards after Valdes had skewed his clearance. The future seemed bathed in Liverpool red.

True, when Barcelona's goal came it was fashioned brilliantly and executed clinically, Gudjohnsen rounding Jose Reina to slide the ball home.

It was barely deserved, however, even if it restored the swagger to Barcelona and infected Anfield with nerves.

But in the end Liverpool's spirit and Benitez's shrewdness were rewarded - qualities which might yet see them go all the way to Athens.