In the final months of his tenure as Liverpool manager, Gerard Houllier wore an expression of increasing sullenness, defensively deflecting growing criticism of his side. In short, he looked downright unhappy.

Anfield seemed to echo Houllier's demeanour; fans and players became frustrated at the failure to measure up to the club's traditional high standards. However, Liverpool football club is now buoyant again, with treasured captain Steven Gerrard having renewed his vows, Michael Owen on the cusp of agreeing a new deal and a new manager brimming with Spanish sunshine.

"I can say Liverpool is a joy," says Rafael Benitez, clearly relishing the challenge of revitalising this great club. "My office here is 20 metres long and eight metres wide, it is bigger than the oval office in the White House. I can see the training grounds and it's incredible, like being in another world.

"It feels as if I have been on a permanent honeymoon since I arrived here, I am on a cloud and I feel as if with Liverpool I have found the love of my life."

There has been one, nagging cloud however. Benitez is aware that he is dogged by a reputation as a dour tactician, after forging an uncompromising defensive unit at the Mestalla around the grizzled Roberto Ayala. Benitez has denied a predilection for the spoiling game, but admits he will be infusing his new players with some of that Valencia grit.

"My system depends a lot on the players, but we will try to find a similarity with Valencia while respecting the characteristics of our new players," he says.

"Balance on the pitch comes from mixing talent and quality with the right attitude and defensive spirit. However, you can never forget that quality is the most important thing and good football should always get its rewards."

First priority is to put Graz AK of Austria to the sword in Tuesday's Champions League qualifier, and take the club into the European territory where Benitiez has so excelled. Winger Harry Kewell describes that fixture as "a very important game for the future of this club".

Benitez will soon learn to feel the true weight of of Anfield's expectation

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