my liverpool fc

CONSISTENCY and quality. Two key elements that are essential for any side with big ambitions – and Liverpool’s performances so far have provided an abundance of both.

Rafa Benitez has proved already he’s a winner, but this season’s team not only oozes class, but is more exciting than any other he has assembled.

In the past, there may have been a need to ask questions about one or two players who were selected, but this season he has a terrific squad who have made an unbelievable start and who put Derby to the sword in style.

The game may have been slow to take shape, but once Xabi Alonso had breached the visitors’ defence, the floodgates opened. It was good to see Alonso return to something like his normal form and Fernando Torres settling in well with two well taken goals – without Steve Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, too.

It made me think that the Anfield fans are in for a treat this season with excitement and goals if the past two games against Toulouse and Derby are anything to go by.

The Reds look stronger in all departments and, with the quality around him, Jermaine Pennant has been encouraged to show just what he can do on the wing. He has started the season in fine form and is showing great consistency.

The other aspect of the new-look squad is the talent also at his disposal on the bench. No longer are there weaknesses in crucial areas and the new owners must be thrilled by what they have seen.

One of the criticisms of the past has been the lack of that killer instinct in front of goal. Now it’s there – and from the evidence so far the goals are coming from a number of players, which is also pleasing.

As for their rivals, Chelsea appear short on ideas and goals, with onlyDidier Drogba of the forwards providing the finish, while Manchester United haven’t yet got into their stride. I still think Arsenal, despite their young side, are a threat.

Liverpool are growing in stature.

The confidence is there, the goals are flowing and they are top of the league for the first time in five years.

Thin on the ground

NOTHING changes. Here were are faced with two European Championship qualifiers in the next week, and the talk is negative about the England players out injured.

Doom and gloom? For heaven’s sake, we’re only playing Israel, not Brazil.

But the situation reflects a sad lack of strength in depth, particularly as we may end up playing a goalkeeper in Paul Robinson, who is lacking confidence, and we bring in a striker, Emile Heskey, who has been in the international wilderness for three years.

With so many overseas players here – some excellent ones, but also a few duffers – it has reduced the number of English players who can now get a game.

But many fans are naturally more club orientated, preferring to see their teams doing well in the Champions League and domestically.

Perhaps it was indicative that, through injury, the Reds fielded only one English player against Derby, and Jamie Carragher has quit the England scene because he spent too much time on the bench. That’s Steve McClaren’s loss.

Playing for England was the ultimate ambition, with several players vying for each position. Now, we are thin on the ground for quality in all positions. The FA needs to address the problem.