my liverpool fc

JUST after Gareth Barry scored that dubiously awarded penalty on Saturday - Martin O'Neill please note - I think all Liverpool supporters were probably thinking "here we go again".

We'd played well, had most of the possession and missed a host of chances and here we were back at 1-1.

Thankfully, up steps Stevie G to hit home an excellent free-kick and ensure we got the three points the performance deserved.

O'Neill later griped that Gerrard had played for the free-kick but failed to mention that Petrov could be seen holding Gerrard back. An obvious foul and rightly punished.

Villa is a difficult place to go at the best of times but especially on the opening day of a new season.

Last season, only United got three points there and recently Villa trounced Inter Milan in a friendly.

To come away with the three points and a very encouraging overall performance was as much as we could have hoped for and we got both.

Kuyt and Torres seem to be developing a real understanding. Torres is very quick for a big man and has deft skills and quick feet. The signs look good. As they also do for Babel, who made an immediate impression with his skill and shooting.

The fact that Crouch, Mascherano, Kewell and Benayoun did not even travel shows the depth the squad has, with maybe more signings to come.

Gerrard's joy as he ran to the visiting fans after his free-kick was plain to see and hopefully we will see that smile a lot more this season as the Reds march towards the Premiership and on to Moscow.