It was a dream start in the marriage of Fernando Torres to the Kop as the Spanish striker celebrated his Anfield debut with an expertly-taken goal in front of the roaring home supporters. He flew past Tal Ben-Haim and made Chelsea’s Israeli full-back look like he was standing still. He might well have been, because El Nino left him chasing his shadow as he slotted home from a difficult angle past a well-beaten Petr Cech and the Kop had a new hero to sing for.

A marriage made in heaven? Only time will tell. For Rafael Benitez, it’s back to the drawing board and he most surely will be looking for ways to get better service to Torres, because bar Steven Gerrard’s inch-perfect through ball, the former Athletico Madrid hitman was left dormant for most of the second half, feeding off scraps most of the time.

Xabi Alonso seems more comfortable turning around and passing back, and rather reluctant to unleash those perfect passes that the Kop applauded warmly in his first season in England. Maybe it’s lack of confidence or early-season rust, but one thing’s for sure - Reds supporters want the old Alonso back, and with a vengeance, too !

'Bar Steven Gerrard’s inch-perfect through ball, Torres was left dormant for most of the second half, feeding off scraps most of the time'


The Reds defence has come under intense scrutiny recently and for good reason. They look rather shaky at times and frighteningly vulnerable in high-ball scenarios. Simply put, they just don’t get rid of any aerial threat with any real conviction and authority. Daniel Agger, Jamie Carragher and Alvaro Arbeloa seem alarmingly uncomfortable against the likes of Didier Drogba, who remains a thorn in Liverpool’s side - and ultimately, every defence in the Premier League and Europe collectively.

Arbeloa has increased his importance in the defensive pecking order in Rafa’s eyes and did quite well at the back. John Arne Riise is in the team for his powerful shot, by the looks of it - his lack of real purpose other than to thump the ball as hard as he can is proving rather frustrating with Reds fans. He should really have buried at least one of the opportunities that came his way, and doesn’t offer too much on the creative side of things.

It could prove interesting just how much Riise plays if Gabriel Heinze joins Liverpool. ’Sources’ reveal the Argentinian to be stubbornly keen in his complex and protracted move to Merseyside, with a three-man arbitration panel about to decide his fate.