Andriy Voronin’s brace against Bayern Munich seems to have caught everyone’s imagination, going by the number of people who have queried whether Liverpool could opt to call him back from his loan spell. With Keane gone and N’Gog unconvincing (to choose the more charitable description that is often attributed to him), Liverpool need someone of Voronin’s ability.

Which goes to show just how forgetful some people really are.

Because the general reaction last summer after the Ukranian’s departure had been that of relief (again, I’m being charitable). Not to mention the level criticism to his performances in the latter half of last season. That he had arrived on a Bosman free did him no favours and indeed there were those who took it as a sign of his lack of talent before they had seen him kick a ball. Such opinions are often very hard to shift.

Yet, as if to prove that the grass is always greener on the other side, now that he’s gone there are those claiming that he should be back.

The truth is that Voronin is a decent enough player and indeed one who could be a valuable squad player. That, however, is half the story. For, during his brief stay at Anfield, it was also apparent that he lacked character: a player who would do well when things were fine but also one who would vanish from the pitch if they weren’t. And that’s not taking into account his views of Liverpool as a city.

As for Liverpool, well, Benitez seems to believe that he can handle things with the squad that he has. Ryan Babel can play as a striker – after all, isn’t that what so many (including myself) have been asking for the past months – and there’s also Dirk Kuyt.

So, all the best to Voronin and Hertha Berlin, but he can stay in Germany. The truth is that Liverpool don’t really need him