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.

The Chelsea equaliser came via a gift of sorts from that ever-controversial referee Rob Styles, who seemed to be hoping a Blues player would fall in the box so he could give them a very early Christmas present. His ‘I love Chelsea’ T-shirt sticking out under his refereeing kit, Rob's eyes lit up as he watched Florent Malouda run into Steve Finnan and fall over Drogba style - i.e fall like he was dying in slow motion.

No doubt something they practice together in training, it caught everyone by surprise and not one Chelsea player appealed for it. Jose Mourinho had a nervous smirk on his face as Frank Lampard finally got a chance for a shot on goal… a penalty! He duly slotted home and it all ended honours even, the Reds undeservedly losing two vital points that could come back to haunt them in nine months' time.

Malouda, Arjen Robben’s replacement in both position and Oscar-winning role play, had earned his team a point. He is already a contender for a Scuba Awards nomination and we'll be keeping an eye on the ground. So much for referees taking a tough stance on simulation!

Elsewhere, Manchester City won a hard-fought Manchester derby, and Sir Alex Ferguson’s miserable start to the season continued to put his title-winning team under huge pressure. Spurs won their first game - and convincingly against potential whipping boys Derby County – while Wigan got the better of Keano’s Sunderland and I wouldn’t have wanted to be a fly in that changing-room thereafter. And Middlesbrough won at Fulham, shortly to be nicknamed EmptyHam as their injury list piles up – along with pressure on Lawrie Sanchez to improve last-season’s standings.

Arsenal dropped two points as Jens Lehmann continued to prove he can't catch cold - this time as Blackburn fought back (in more ways than one, Arsenal Wenger seemed to suggest). Oh, yes, last time round a reader asked why Everton don't get a mention. Well, here goes: Everton woke up from their dream start as David Moyes realised it was too good to be true and succumbed to the genius that is Steve Coppell. I truly admire the Reading boss’s giantkiller tactics, as well as those used to beat Everton.

“It’s Liverpool’s year to win the league,” predicted former Anfield hero Alan Kennedy pre-match against Chelsea. Benitez and Co will give it their all but there are new contenders, new pretenders, new challenges. A perfect example of it is that is, as it stands, City rule Manchester, and we could be headed for a photo finish.
And if Chelsea do win the title, Rob Styles might as well take the photo with the Blues holding the cup.