What lies beneath: the Real facts.

Liverpool signalled their intent in Europe tonight by thrashing a woeful Real Madrid side at Anfield. 4-0 wasn't harsh on Real; the fact that Iker Casillas was their best player by a long distance tells a story all of its own.

Steven Gerrard was inspirational, as so often has proved to be the case for Liverpool in recent years. Fernando Torres said afterwards that the pain [from his recent ankle problems] doesn't matter against Real Madrid. Of course, one would like to think any player would break the pain barrier to score against the Kings of European football. Torres, though, danced across in front of the Real fans after scoring the opener, with his name in clear view - just to remind them that Atletico will always have a place in his heart.

And the mastermind behind yet another wonderful European night for Liverpool? Rafael Benitez. You might think I'd only have good things to say about the Liverpool boss after their exploits tonight. Not so fast.

On the eve of this tie, Benitez had the audacity to suggest that he has not been given credit that he has been due, thanks to his team's performances in Europe, since he has arrived. Just a few things to note, Mr. Benitez. Not one man should ever believe he is bigger than any football club, not least a club steeped in as much history and tradition as Liverpool are.

Benitez's recent wranglings over his new contract, apparently demanding complete control over the club's dealings, may have started the alarm bells amongst a few inside Anfield. Could he believe he is, in fact, bigger than the club? His statement yesterday might just reinforce this possibility. Yes, he has been the catalyst for the club's success in Europe over the previous four years, but credit can not be claimed by one man.

What about Gerrard, Torres, Carragher, Benayoun, Hamann, Crouch, Alonso, Garcia, Reina and Dudek? What about Traore? What about the so-called 12th man, the commoners who have made Anfield a seemingly European fortress? Those are the players that won the Champions League, these are the players who reached the semi-finals a year ago and the final a year previous.

Onwards amigo, I hear you cry.

"The facts are there to see. Anyone can see what I have done here."

The facts are there, indeed, Rafa. You have failed to steer Liverpool Football Club anywhere near a prolonged challenge on the one that the fans want. The bread and butter; the holy grail; the Premier League title. Liverpool appear to be closing the gap, and at Christmas the season looked like it could be very productive - it wasn't. 37, 9, 21, 11; the facts.

Tonight, the gap between Liverpool and the summit of the Premier League is potentially 10 points (should Manchester United win their game in hand, before even considering Saturday's game at Old Trafford). As mentioned above, the players must take some of the "credit", but the fact is that Benitez has failed domestically. He doesn't deserve any credit for that.

Liverpool's title challenge this season is likely to be remembered as the season that Benitez decided to jot down "the facts" for Sir Alex Ferguson. Liverpool promptly blew their chance to stop Manchester United from equalling their long-standing record as the team with the most league titles to their name. Even the most optimistic Liverpool fan would agree that should Liverpool record an unlikely win at the home of their fiercest rivals on Saturday, it will merely be prolonging the pain of another arduous season.

"Maybe some people don't realise how difficult it is to keep succeeding in the Champions League."

This, Mr. Benitez, is unlikely. There is no denying his spectacular achievements in Europe, especially that memorable night in Istanbul. Furthermore, no-one can argue that Liverpool have been much improved in the Premier League this year. But the difficulty of succeeding in the Champions League means nothing if you can't mix it with the top sides in England.

Many of you will think this is ridiculous considering Liverpool's masterclass performance tonight. Maybe it is. But I would genuinely love to hear what anyone else thinks. Do you think this is an overreaction (bar the timing)? Would the Liverpool fans out there settle for a European run every year at the expense of a prolonged tilt at the Premier League title?

Maybe Rafa can answer one question: who deserves the credit for tonight's performance? He may offer an eponymic answer, whilst the rest of us would suggest Gerrard, Torres, Babel or Alonso. One more question Rafa: have you signed that contract yet? And one more fact for you to absorb: best team in Europe over the past five years, statistically? Yes. Fourth best team in England over the past five years?

Marginally.