Well, after watching Liverpool against Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League, I can safely say that I have now returned from Cloud Nine.

I said in my previous blog that it would be win-or-bust for Liverpool and Rafa Benitez against Inter, and in typical Liverpool style, we won – but only after 85 minutes. Inter’s defence and goalkeeper were brilliant, Fernando Torres forcing an excellent save from Julio Cesar and the makeshift Inter defence (centre-back Materazzi having been sent off after 30 minutes and Cordoba being stretchered off on 75) keeping Liverpool at arm’s length for the majority of the second half before Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard broke through.

For all my previous criticism of Benitez, he has an uncanny knack of pulling the proverbial rabbit from the hat on European nights when the pressure is on and the backs are against the wall. It seems like the Champions League is Liverpool’s competition. Ever since the disappointment early in the group stages, we’ve come out with scores of 8-0, 4-1, 4-0 and 2-0 against Besiktas, Porto, Marseilles and Inter respectively.

I read an article on BBC Sport’s 606 Message Board about why Liverpool supporters should actually expect to be challenging Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea for the Premier League title season after season, as we always seem to be scrapping around the fourth Champions League spot. It’s results like this that prove why we should be expecting to challenge for titles – because we deserve to, given performances like last night.

Whatever critics, newspapers and pundits say, Liverpool always has been and always will be a special club, giving it’s supporters special nights and special results. Jose Mourinho may have been “The Special One” but Liverpool are “The Special Ones”.

You’ll never walk alone!