WHEN Liverpool announced Ian Rush was returning to the club this week you half expected a photo-call at Melwood complete with Rafa Benitez and the obligatory scarf.

With the hosts needing at least two goals to overturn Atletico Madrid, injuries to Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt and David Ngog didn’t bode well for those who had already snapped up a hotel room in Hamburg.

Rush was at Anfield last night to see Liverpool’s last chance of silverware this season dwindle.

Perhaps he should have brought his boots.

While Ngog remained on the bench throughout, Kuyt carried the torch up front.

It was the inclusion of Alberto Aquilani that really shook things up though.

Rafael Benitez had issued a rallying call to Steven Gerrard beforehand, instructing his captain to lead by example as he had at Turf Moor four days earlier.

But by including Aquilani, Gerrard’s attacking instincts were compromised as he was forced to sit deeper alongside Lucas.

The lack of strikers saw 4-2-3-1 as the most realistic option. With Gerrard told to hold, it was Aquilani who slotted in behind Kuyt.

It was a gamble that initially paid off.

In what was only the second time he’d been entrusted to start in successive games since his summer arrival from Roma, the £20million man would repay his manager’s faith in him.

Atletico manager Quique Sanchez Flores suggested the beginning of each half would be key to the outcome of the game.

“With the players we have it is all about how we start each half,” he said.

“If Liverpool start strongly the crowd will respond.”

While that was true, with all corners of Anfield answering another of Benitez’s call to arms, it was the end of the first half that initially altered the dynamic of the tie.

With just a minute to go before the break, Aquilani picked the perfect time to score his second goal for Liverpool.

On a personal note it was a rare highlight for the Italian in what has been a nightmare first season for him.

The bigger picture highlighted Liverpool’s dire lack of ammunition however.