Keep your feet on ground, warns Rafa

However, a cautious Benitez said :”This kind of game is always dangerous. We are favourites, but we have to be careful.

“For them, it’s their Cup final. For us, the most important thing is to tell the players to be careful. Everybody thinks we are favourites. But it was the same for Juventus, Chelsea and Milan.”

Liverpool beat those three sides on their way to the triumph in Istanbul.

UEFA’s decision to allow Liverpool who finished fifth in the Premier League last season to defend the trophy means they have to start at the first qualifying stage.

The match between the two clubs has been described by TNS manager Ken McKenna as “the biggest mis-match in football history.”

Benitez believes that TNS, who won the Welsh league and cup double last season, will be physically fitter.

“They have played three or four friendly games so they will be better physically conditioned,” said Benitez whose team has played just once since winning the trophy.

Benitez has recognised the goal scoring threat of TNS, who are based in the mid-Wales village of Llansantffraid where just 1,000 people live.

Their team includes several players who were once on Liverpool’s books as youngsters.

Liverpool could hand a debut to new Spanish goalkeeper Jose Reina who replaces Istanbul hero Jerzy Dudek.

Anfield will be full to welcome back the European champions but Benitez will not dwell too long on last season’s success.

A number of TNS players, who are all Liverpool fans, will be thinking about that night in Istanbul, at least until kickoff time. Skipper John Leah told reporters: “I watched the match in Istanbul and was cheering them on like everybody else. I had plenty of drinks that night.” (Reuters)