Preseason therefore proves a welcome distraction even though it can't offer the same intensity and excitement of a European night at Anfield.
Our first friendly of the 2009 preseason saw us once again return to Switzerland this time to face St Gallen who were last season promoted to the top flight of Swiss football. Anticipation proved high as we hoped to catch a glimpse of the £18 million right back Glen Johnson, but were only greeted to a brief cameo in the second half and at a very surprising left back.
Benitez later admitted that this was in order for Johnson to focus on the defensive side of his game, rather than the marauding right back that saw him line up in the 2009 PFA team of the year.
The game was largely uneventful, ending 0-0, and whilst the most eye catching characteristic was the return of Andriy Voronin's golden locks, it was Dani Pacheco who once again impressed and boosted his claims to be given a chance in the forthcoming season.
The less said about the second fixture against Rapid Vienna the better. A drab game in which Glen Johnson was not present and we lost 1-0, was only noteworthy for the antics on the Liverpool bench.
Daniel Agger was seen yawning at every opportunity, quite what Rafa had him doing is anyone's guess, whilst Fernando Torres proceeded to steal Albert Riera's dinner and yawn quite a bit himself.
Liverpool again returned to the Far East shortly after facing Thailand and Singapore.
Babel converted a smart finish against a Peter Reid managed Thailand in the first game, though the underlying question of whether he can prove to be a good back up to Torres and why can't he play like that more often, remain.
The Reds were denied their first preseason victory by a 70th minute equaliser though the victory came soon enough as we defeated Singapore just a few days later. Goals from Voronin, Riera, Torres and a brace from Krisztian Nemeth secured an emphatic 5-0 victory. Dirk Kuyt however proved the star creating three of the goals and we once again saw an unfamiliar face at left back, this time Daniel Agger.
By this point speculation was rife about the departure of Xabi Alonso and a return to Spain to see his family hardly quelled the rumour mill.
The team joined Alonso in Spain shortly after to open Espanyol's newly constructed Estadio Cornella-El Prat Stadium. It proved a fairytale opening for the Spaniards cruising to a 3-0 victory with Philipp Degen's inability to defend again highlighting the need for cover at right back.
The game however will sadly be remembered as one of the final games for Espanyol captain Daniel Jarque who died just a week later whilst at Espanyol's training camp in Italy.
The penultimate friendly against FC Lyn was overshadowed by events off the field as the deal to take Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid for £30 million was concluded and Alberto Aquilani immediately earmarked to replace him. A second preseason victory was recorded, 2-0 with goals coming from Voronin and Ngog but the injury to Albert Riera adding to that of Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel who were already in the treatment room proved worrying.
Our final game of the preseason saw acquaintances reunited with Atlético Madrid and finally gave Fernando Torres the opportunity to play against his former club.
Once again though injuries proved the talking point with Jamie Carragher limping off after 15 minutes and Madrid immediately capitalising on us being down to ten men through a Sergio Aguero header.
Post-match talk focused on the possibility of signing the £12 million rated Hull City defender Michael Turner but Benitez can be pleased with the effort displayed by Ayala and San Jose after Carragher's departure.
Forlan added a second for the visitor's after half an hour and a good performance for Lucas Leiva was rounded off in the second half pulling one back for the Reds.
Of the makeshift back line Glen Johnson particularly shone getting forward at every opportunity and offering the cutting edge Arbeloa often lacked in the final third and illustrating why Benitez made him the first signing of this close season.
Although the defeats in preseason are of little concern the injuries and lack of practice matches for Agger, Aurelio, Skrtel and Aquilani is a little worrying. As is the loss of stalwart Sami Hyypia with no replacement and that we have perhaps not added that final piece of the jigsaw in the attack. Still with the announcement that Aquilani's transfer fee will be paid over three years and with the confirmed interest in both Tevez and Silva maybe that piece will be added in the not too distant future.
We can also take heart in the progress of several youth players, notably Insua who has now claimed the left back position as his own, Pacheco and Nemeth who will surely be given a first team opportunity next year and the emerging home-grown talent of Jay Spearing, Stephen Darby and Martin Kelly.