Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez credited his side's troubled pre-match training camp in Portugal for helping them beat European champions Barcelona 2-1 in their first knock-out round match at the Nou Camp on Wednesday.
Their first leg preparations were marred by an altercation between striker Craig Bellamy and defender John-Arne Riise, who both scored to make Liverpool the first side in nearly four years to beat the Catalans in Europe at their own stadium.
"The training camp in Portugal was very helpful for us," said Benitez.
"The commitment of the players was good before and after the problems. The atmosphere was always very good and it would have been good even if the events hadn't happened.
"It was a bit of a coincidence to see Bellamy and Riise scoring the goals and I'm really pleased for them."
Despite Liverpool becoming the first English side to win at the Nou Camp since they beat Barca in the UEFA Cup semi-finals in 1976, Benitez remained cautious about his side's chances of deposing their successors as European champions.
"It's clear that we have a good chance now but we need to be careful," said the former Valencia coach.
"Barcelona have got some very good attacking players and we need to do our very best at Anfield.
"We are talking about Barcelona and they have some great players. We have to be prudent, nothing is decided yet."
Uphill battle
Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard said they face an uphill battle to turn the tie around at Anfield on March 6.
"The situation is difficult, but that's the reality and we still have 90 minutes to go," said the Dutchman referring to the second leg. "You have to be optimistic.
"We have to have a great night and everything has to go right for us. We have to believe in our chances though.
"The final score isn't positive. We started well, dominated and got a goal, but after about 20 minutes the rhythm dropped and the first goal we conceded came at a difficult time for us and boosted Liverpool.
"From that moment on they found the strength to change the game and we didn't. Liverpool were very well organised on the pitch and it was very difficult to break them down."