Juande Ramos and Rafa Benitez will have plenty to talk about when their paths cross in 16 days' time at the Bernabeu – futures unclear beyond the end of the season, chronic reliance on a couple of players and the tut-tutting disapproval of the critics as they continue to carve out results.
The former Tottenham coach was only given a six-month contract when he took over in December – by a president who is no longer at the club. With supporters baying for a return to the razzmatazz of the galatico era, Juande's run of seven workmanlike wins carries little weight.
Beating Liverpool will improve his chances of staying in the job and, just as Benitez prays for the return of Gerrard and wraps Fernando Torres in cotton wool, Ramos does his best to minimise Arjen Robben's minutes on the pitch.