"Football is a funny old game,"  is a quote that former England striker Jimmy Greaves made famous in the eighties but the events at Anfield over the last four days shows that it still rings true today.

            Saturday afternoon Liverpool welcomed championship strugglers Barnsley to Merseyside in what should have been an easy passage into the 6th Round of the FA Cup, but it didn't go according to plan.

The atmosphere inside Anfield was a little flat when you compare it to some of the big nights that have been played there and that lackluster vibe translated itself to the players on the field.

Rafa's side may have created a lot of chances in the game but found themselves being outfought and outworked by their inferior opposition. Liverpool looked void of fresh ideas to breakdown a side that sat back and soaked up their pressure. Barnsley may have rode their luck throughout with on-loan keeper Luke Steele having the game of his life but nobody could begrudge them their late winner. The decisive goal summed up the afternoon, as Brian Howard simply wanted it more than Xabi Alonso.

After this embarrassing loss you could forgive Reds fans for being more than a little worried with Inter Milan due in town three days later. The mighty Inter Milan who are 11 points clear in Serie A and unbeaten in 29 games in all competitions.

            But that is not how Liverpool or their fans have worked over the past few years and once the game arrived the atmosphere in Anfield was electric again, almost as if the tag of being underdog made the fans feel more comfortable getting behind their team.

            Again the atmosphere seeped through to the players and Liverpool played with the passion and desire that was sorely lacking four days earlier. Sure Rafa may have made some changes, but the opposition had changed too. This was not a championship team that Liverpool had against the ropes,  it was Inter bloody Milan.

 Liverpool had to be patient but the fans never stopped believing and Liverpool and Benitez proved the doubters wrong again by scoring two late goals to beat the form side in World football.

These two games are a world apart but sum up Liverpool Football Club over the last 15 years. When the reds are expected to win and challenge and push they falter, but call them underdogs and every red scouser will come out screaming and singing for the cause.

This is not an isolated incident. Think of the amazing run to Istanbul in 205. Think of the run to Athens last season when they went to places like the Nou Camp and got a result yet still couldn't find a way to beat the likes of Fulham at Craven Cottage

Until Liverpool find a way to play like they do against Barcelona and co, when they are supposed to win they will continue to live on great nights of beating the odds without ever reaching their full potential as a club, fan base, and as a city.

            Liverpool will travel to the San Siro in three weeks with all the critics expecting them to go through. This would be as good a place as any to show they can be comfortable playing with the tag of favorites placed upon them.