Another week, another must-win game for Liverpool and another slightly nervy press conference at Anfield. Rafael Benitez seemed assured enough as he took to the stage, but Fabio Aurelio, the lesser spotted Brazilian full back, looked a little nervous as he was thrust into the spotlight to provide a player’s perspective on tomorrow’s European Cup tie at home to Internazionale.

Aurelio was a surprising choice to attend the pre-match press conference for such an important game. Jamie Carragher or Steven Gerrard have often been chosen to speak before such big Champions League matches in the past and to issue a rallying call. The choice of Aurelio sparked conspiracy theories among the media that he was a safer bet than Carragher or Gerrard, who might be tempted to deliver a few unwelcome home truths after the FA Cup fifth-round defeat at home to Barnsley

Carragher, indeed, could hardly have been accused of mincing his words after that game. Benitez revealed that the defender had spoken to him this morning to clarify his comments. “We were talking about this and Carra was explaining to me what he wanted to say,” the Liverpool manager said. “Everyone knows we are all really disappointed [about the Barnsley defeat] and that we want to improve.”

The FA Cup defeat has heightened the pressure on Benitez, but Liverpool have a knack of performing when their backs are against the wall, particularly in Europe. The successful Champions League campaign in 2005 ran concurrently with a disappointing domestic campaign, which again included an ignominious FA Cup exit at the hands of lower-league opposition (Burnley). And let us not forget that, prior to a famous 2-1 win away to Barcelona at the same stage of last season’s European Cup, Liverpool had attracted negative headlines following an incident involving Craig Bellamy, a golf club and John Arne Riise.

No club thrives on adversity, but Benitez is hopeful that, yet again, Liverpool can draw strength from it. “We must think about the next game,” he said, deflecting talk away from Saturday’s FA Cup embarrassment. “We can’t change that situation so now we have two targets – to go as far as we can in the Champions League and to fight for fourth place in the league. We must win. We have to change what happens, so we have to win.”

Benitez is expected to make numerous changes to the team that lost to Barnsley. His easiest decisions will involve the recall of Jose Manuel Reina in goal, Gerrard in midfield and Fernando Torres, fit again, in attack. Elsewhere there will perhaps be a surprise selection or two, designed to confuse Roberto Mancini, the Inter coach. It is nights like this, after all, that Benitez relishes most of all.