Barely an hour before the Liverpool squad flew to Spain for a pre-final training camp the manager and players took part in a media day at Anfield.
One of the best things about working in the media is having access to this sort of event, where you can assess the mood of the players and listen to their thoughts first hand instead of having to rely on Sky Sports News.

For all those interested, the Liverpool players were very, very relaxed today.
No mattter what questions were thrown at them they remained calm and unruffled.
Benitez, in particular, was in good spirits. His mood was reminiscent of the way he was the day before Liverpool played Barcelona in the Nou Camp.
On that day sections of the media were busily trying to whip up some controversy but Rafa remained in control, much to the frustration of the Spanish press corps.
His demeanour was that of a manager who knows his players, trusts them and believes in his own ability to have them physically, tactically and psychologically prepared by the time the final comes around on May 23.
In many ways, it was a typical Benitez performance.
Confident but determined not to come across as arrogant; relaxed but far from being complacent; and happy to praise Milan without suggesting for a second his players should fear them.
If the manager is an indicator of the mood of his players' then the Liverpool fans can content themselves that preparations for Athens are currently going well.
Jamie Carragher was his usual humorous self - politely informing one journalist that he "hasn't half been writing some sh*te lately".
Everyone's a critic these days.
Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard was happy to admit he is hoping to sign a new contract as soon as possible, although the Reds skipper also pointed out the ball is very much in the club's court.
After the interviews were completed with local, national and international media from print, TV and radio, the players made their way to the team bus which was waiting to take them to John Lennon Airport for the flight to Spain.
From the club's point of view the stay in Spain will give the team an opportunity to work on their fitness and tactics but it will also give them a break from the media spotlight for five days.
As long as Craig Bellamy hasn't packed his golf clubs.........

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