Liverpool 1 - 0 Man Utd (Talking Points)

Following the 120 minute victory over Notts County in the week, and the injuries incurred in securing it, there were real concerns for Liverpool going into the big one against Utd. Liverpool had been in some strong form of course but this was a different test. The old enemy who had a new old enemy in charge. The fact that they are defending champions and other platitudes/insults (Delete as appropriate) combined to make this the biggest test we had faced so far this season. With an acknowledging nod to symmetry Daniel Sturridge scored again to record Liverpool's third 1-0 victory of the season out of three and send Reds all across the world bouncing. It may be early days but heaven knows its been a while since we felt we might actually be getting somewhere so let's just enjoy this on. We've got the light entertainment that is  international football now before the real football starts again so there is plenty of time to simply bask in this victory before the next challenge

Sturridge

He just keeps scoring. A proper poachers goal this time as he got he deftest glance to guide Daggers on target effort past the defender on the line. I still dont think he is 100 % fit,  he seems to tire at the end of games and footage of him feeling his groin during the warm up had all telly watching reds to panicking but for certain while he is in this form he will be very hard to rest.

Hendo

He just seems to keep improving and he is a offering a fight and aggression which seems essential to how we are playing at the moment, for me he is now one of the first names on team sheet particularly for these big games. Its not just his battling quality though he is showing week on week that his fight is aligned with no little quality on the ball. Lung bursting runs and never giving up on a ball are not all that is required of a footballer but Wayne Rooney seems to be getting on fine even though thats all he has offered for a couple of years now. I really feel this is going to be a landmark year for Jordan as he improves his ball retention skills. He seems less panicked when going in on goal too and although he has missed some chances already this season I can see him getting 8-10 league goals if he retains his place in the side.

Skrtel

Included in the line-up through necessity rather than choice he did everything he could to convince the manager he still has a part to play in this revival. He was awarded man of the match and kept the increasingly frustrated figure of Van Persie quiet for best part of the afternoon only allowing him one half chance at the death.  He would have felt the eyes of two newly recruited centre halves on him from the stands but he kept his mind on the job at hand and performed excellently.  He has shown he can offer defensive qualities which seem to escape Daniel Agger and although it may not be enough to salvage his Liverpool career it wouldn't be the first time BR had done a turn about on a player. If not and if he were to leave before Monday's deadline well he couldn't have left a better parting gift, and he can take solace from the fact that most players don't ever get the opportunity to say goodbye.

The future

We have shown some really good qualities so far and this is of course encouraging but I honestly don't think we have hit 100% iust yet and that to me is the most encouraging thing of all. With the new additions to come in before Monday to improve the squad it has to be said things are looking up, Sakho and Moses are both players who have lost their places in their respective sides’ first teams due to expensive purchases rather than form. Ilori is a young centre half who has good experience in a tough European league. Obviously we must bare in mind that not all players can settle immediately, and also acknowledge that even the best managers generally have about a 50% success rate in the transfer market, but with the team in good form they may be allowed room to breath before being thrown in and this may help them acclimatise.

We have hit the heights at times but it still feels like there is more to come and that is very exciting. Its way too early to be re-considering our pre-season ambition of a top-four challenge but there is no denying, as Rafa might say, “We are in a good moment”

Long may it Coutinho…..