After the 8-0 drubbing of Besiktas in the week, a lot of expectation lay on Steven Gerrard and Co, and supporters were hoping the momentum levels reached against Besiktas would continue as the Reds hosted Fulham.

Peter Crouch started alongside all and sundry from Wednesday, leaving commentators and pundits at a loss for words. Their prepared speeches to lambast Rafa Benitez for not sticking to a winning team was as wasted as a goalscoring opportunity for Derby County !

Anfield was buzzing at the starting whistle, but slipped into a tense whisper as the Kop witnessed their team squander chance after chance. It looked to be another frustrating night at home, and John Arne Riise was not helping the team. He can’t seem to control the ball, and when he eventually does, he doesn’t seem able to do anything productive with it.

'The new players are starting to understand and implement Rafa’s plans and have built an understanding with their more established team-mates'


I think most fans have already thanked Riise for past glory, but he seems destined for the claret and blue of Aston Villa. One thing for sure, his payslip hitting the Internet seems to have had a hugely negative impact on his form, and his security concerns seem to be occupying his mind over Rafa’s instructions at the moment. It's safe to say his payslip has hit the net more than he has! C’mon Ginger, prove us all wrong, please !

Everyone else played out of their socks against resolute Fulham. The Reds created chance after chance but just couldn’t get the ball into the back of the net. Brazilian Fabio Aurelio was brilliant at left-back, Jamie Carragher was at his solid best, Sami Hyypia seems to have regained some form, Stevie G pulled the strings in the middle and scored a well-taken penalty, Alvaro Arbeloa is showing why his name seems to never be rotated, and Andriy Voronin was all over the place,

Peter Crouch didn’t have the best of games, but managed to keep the Fulham full-backs on their toes, while Javier Mascherano held it all together though he still lacks in productivity offensively. But he did attempt to push up more than usual. Yossi Benayoun is still five times more effective than Jermaine Pennant, but just when he seems to be playing his best football for the Reds, is now sidelined with an adductor injury. The problem could be mistaken for being contagious, as it is the same injury Fernando Torres has just recovered from !

Going back to Saturday, 70 minutes down, still 0-0 and Rafa decides to use his trump card. Enter the fray Fernando Torres, to a rowdy reception from the Anfield faithful. He reciprocated this passionate buzz with a brilliant solo effort after what has been labelled as an 'assist' from Pepe Reina - kick and hope for the best by the critics.

Nonetheless, the outcome was sublime. Brilliant first touch of his chest (Dirk Kuyt, watch and learn), a few twists and turns, rounded off with an inch-perfect nutmeg and once again El Nino changes the weather in Merseyside.

It is important to note that for the Reds this season, the difference between a boring draw and an exciting win lies at the feet of the Kid from Madrid, and he has shown that he could prove a valuable matchwinner and has established himself as the new Kop hero. Even simply warming up on the touchline is enough to get the Kop in full voice, and he seems ready to reward there cheers with goals galore.

One is able to see that the Reds are definitely improving. The new players are starting to understand and implement Rafa’s plans and have built an understanding with their more established team-mates. Also, the mood amongst the players is one of optimism, and training pictures show a jovial Gerrard and Co enjoying practice routines with Rafa. Things seem to be gathering normality since Pako’s departure, and the players seem to be over his loss now.

The Premier League log looks a lot better and the Reds are still in the running mid-November, a marked improvement from seasons past. Torres has not been called up for Spanish duty which will boost Rafa’s mood and the fans will be spared the agonising international break, which is a break in more ways than one as far as Liverpool are concerned, with players returning with injuries more often than not.

Daniel Agger and Xabi Alonso should be back for the trip to Newcastle, and the Reds will be bolstered no doubt by their return.  The Reds are up and running, and more importantly, still in the running.