 DAVID FAIRCLOUGH is heading to Istanbul to enjoy a new kind of European Cup final experience with Liverpool - as a fan. The flame-haired striker looks back fondly on three previous European Cup final adventures, as a substitute in Rome in 1977, as a member of the starting line-up that overcame Bruges at Wembley a year later, and as a squad player who watched from the sidelines as Liverpool lifted the trophy in Paris in 1981. Fairclough decided to make the trip to Europe's furthest flung outpost, with his son and nephew, because his emotions as a "died in the wool red" have been stirred by the remarkable deeds of Rafael Benitez's team this season. "Rafael Benitez has rekindled my excitement and passion about watching Liverpool. I was an avid Reds fan before I began playing for the club in the 1970s and I am getting those old feelings back now," he explains. "I have to admit, I found myself feeling quite reserved about watching Liverpool in recent years. Nothing really excited me. Now the old feeling is back." Fairclough felt the years melt away as Liverpool overcame one daunting hurdle after another to secure their first final appearance in 20 years. Not that he is fooling himself in believing today's side can yet stand serious compassion with a team of 1978. Fairclough said: "The two teams don't compare in reality. Liverpool's achievement this year has been a brilliant tactical success. "I thought Liverpool would do well in the cups rather than the league this year. But I did not expect it to be an appearance in the European Cup final. "Rafa has been able to lift the team and get everything right for individual games. But the squad at his disposal isn't capable of doing it consistently over a long period in the Premiership." The 1-0 Wembley win over Belgium champions Bruges of 27 years ago established Liverpool as the first British club to retain the European Cup. Fairclough says: "The win confirmed Liverpool's position as the outstanding team in Europe. We were the Real Madrid of our time." Other British clubs had won the trophy before, but by following their UEFA Cup success of 1976 with back-to-back Champions Cup triumphs, Liverpool earned the right to be regarded as the dominant European team of the era. Just like the great club sides before them such as Real Madrid (1956-60), Benfica (1961-62), Inter Milan (1964-65), Ajax (1971-73) and Bayern Munich (1974-1976). | 
