A YEAR on from European Cup number five, it's no longer the miracle, but the legacy of Istanbul which empowers Liverpool.
You only have to read the comments of Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o after his side claimed the Reds' title to recognise how Liverpool's European Cup triumph captured the imagination, and infiltrated the dreams, of everyone who witnessed it.
"We thought about the spirit shown by Liverpool and still believed we could win it," said the African, clearly yearning a sample of the euphoria from a year earlier.
Of course, Barca's comeback against ten-man Arsenal was routine and, beyond the Nou Camp and High-bury, forgettable in comparison to the heroics of the Ataturk Stadium.
Scoring two late goals against the Gunners to win a cup is oh so 2001, as far as Liverpool are concerned.
But Eto'o publicised how the achievements of Rafa Benitez's side redefined top flight footballers' perceptions of how to play the game.
No matter how desperate the situation, you should never give up. Beyond English football, that's never been a rule.
Eto'o isn't alone in declaring Liverpool's exploits a reference point.
You can be sure half-time team talks across Europe since last May have been dominated by Benitezesque motivational speeches, reminding demoralised players thatathree-goal deficit is retrievable.
If the forthcoming World Cup includes a comeback or two, the words 'Liverpool' and 'Istanbul' won't be far from the lips of the successful post-match interviewees.
