Much has been made about Liverpool failing to turn in the performances we've been hoping to see so far this season - yet getting away with it.
Seven points from nine in the league, plus coming through a tricky tie against Standard Liege to qualify for the Champions League proper, is not a bad return considering we’ve failed to hit the heights.
But I, for one, won’t be complaining if we again fail to turn on the style on Saturday against Manchester United and chalk up another ‘ugly win’.
For a start, we will possibly be without our two best players, Gerrard and Torres, unless their recovery powers allow them to face the Reds’ big rivals.
It’s obviously going to make it tricky for us against a side like United if those two are out, and it will be up to the rest of the lads to put in one hell of a shift and scrap for 96 minutes.
That’s how long games against United usually last and you just can’t afford to switch off for a second from start to finish.
The good news is that United are also without their best player by a mile, Cristiano Ronaldo. I had also thought Carlos Tevez might join him on the sidelines after being sent off twice in recent international games. But, for some reason, it seems it’s okay for him to play.
If there is another factor that will help offset any absence of Torres and Gerrard then perhaps it is the form of Wayne Rooney, who has not been at his best. But we know his qualities and it would be wrong to rely on him having another off day.
So much of this match is about self belief now and I just hope the lads go out there full of confidence and determined to give their all and provide Rafa Benitez with his first win over United.
Liverpool versus United has the classic makings of a derby game these days. It is a test of nerves and bottle as much as anything else. In my day there was just two derbies on the calendar – against Everton.
The games against United then were just considered big games.
But it’s different now and every player has got to be ready for the atmosphere they’ll find themselves in.
It would be great if we managed to turn on the style, but we haven’t managed a league goal against United in recent seasons, let alone a victory, so I’ll take whatever comes. providing we get that key result.
Saturday afternoon can be as ugly as it likes. But if it ends in a victory then we should all be happy.
The United game may see Albert Riera given his debut and what a chance it is for him to make his mark.
Fortunately, he does have Premiership experience so that will help.
But while we perhaps can’t expect miracles in his first game, it would be nice to think Liverpool have bought the finished article at 26 years of age.
Everyone will be looking forward to seeing what Riera can do and the Kop will be backing him all the way.
If he can hit the ground running at Anfield - and Robbie Keane can begin to play as we all know he can - then it will give us a big boost.
Seven points from nine in the league, plus coming through a tricky tie against Standard Liege to qualify for the Champions League proper, is not a bad return considering we’ve failed to hit the heights.
But I, for one, won’t be complaining if we again fail to turn on the style on Saturday against Manchester United and chalk up another ‘ugly win’.
For a start, we will possibly be without our two best players, Gerrard and Torres, unless their recovery powers allow them to face the Reds’ big rivals.
It’s obviously going to make it tricky for us against a side like United if those two are out, and it will be up to the rest of the lads to put in one hell of a shift and scrap for 96 minutes.
That’s how long games against United usually last and you just can’t afford to switch off for a second from start to finish.
The good news is that United are also without their best player by a mile, Cristiano Ronaldo. I had also thought Carlos Tevez might join him on the sidelines after being sent off twice in recent international games. But, for some reason, it seems it’s okay for him to play.
If there is another factor that will help offset any absence of Torres and Gerrard then perhaps it is the form of Wayne Rooney, who has not been at his best. But we know his qualities and it would be wrong to rely on him having another off day.
So much of this match is about self belief now and I just hope the lads go out there full of confidence and determined to give their all and provide Rafa Benitez with his first win over United.
Liverpool versus United has the classic makings of a derby game these days. It is a test of nerves and bottle as much as anything else. In my day there was just two derbies on the calendar – against Everton.
The games against United then were just considered big games.
But it’s different now and every player has got to be ready for the atmosphere they’ll find themselves in.
It would be great if we managed to turn on the style, but we haven’t managed a league goal against United in recent seasons, let alone a victory, so I’ll take whatever comes. providing we get that key result.
Saturday afternoon can be as ugly as it likes. But if it ends in a victory then we should all be happy.
The United game may see Albert Riera given his debut and what a chance it is for him to make his mark.
Fortunately, he does have Premiership experience so that will help.
But while we perhaps can’t expect miracles in his first game, it would be nice to think Liverpool have bought the finished article at 26 years of age.
Everyone will be looking forward to seeing what Riera can do and the Kop will be backing him all the way.
If he can hit the ground running at Anfield - and Robbie Keane can begin to play as we all know he can - then it will give us a big boost.
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