Champions League draw

UEFA Champions League draw Liverpool against Galatasaray, PSV and Bordeaux. In comparison, on paper, this might look easy, but definitely i would consider it a group of trickery and sudden death. All the teams have over the recent years done exceptionally well in their respective leagues especially PSV, and Galatasaray are never an easy opponent to play with especially so in Turkey. Bordeaux over the last two seasons been performing well in the French Liga. An expected £68 million dollar windfall for UEFA Champions League will force Rafa to take this competition seriously and as expected, Liverpool will be tipped to qualify the Group Stage.

Is Lobos the missing puzzle?

Rafa Benitez is keen to bring the Argentine to Anfield from Cadiz. Little is known of this player but is widely known as the key player at Cadiz's side and the £10 million price tag on him is a testimony of his ability. With Liverpool's windfall on the Champions League, there is a possibility of Rafa moving in for this free scoring player.

Liverpool's weakness

There is a dent in the fortress of the Almighty Red - Liverpool. The apparent lack of defensive depth has caused the team to be shakey in their second leg of the Champions League third qualifying round against Maccabi Haifa in Ukraine.

However the team managed to score the vital goal from Peter Crouch to clinch a spot in the Group Stage. This means, Liverpool will have additional £12 million fund for their transfer dealings till end of August. In the absence of Carragher and Riise, the host of younger players in Agger, and Palletta proved to be quite a concern in the coming weeks facing tougher opponents both in the domestic English Premier League and in the Champions League

Community Shield - The victory of Mind

So what if Liverpool won the Community Shield? Perhaps, as most would say, it is a cup with no significant monetary rewards nor any boast of achievement by winning it, but it is however, or should i say an important victory for Liverpool.

Liverpool went into this clash prior to a poor form of pre-season friendlies and the race to gain match fitness with the Champions League Qualifying. Noting in mind that the new Liverpool side started the game without the formidable set up in the midfield such as Gerrard and Alonso until in the later half of the match, and without the god of Anfield - Robbie Fowler. The lack of match fitness gave one player the chance to impress - Sissoko. For once, the title "The next Vieira" is justified with Sissoko running tirelessly in the midfield giving his every bit of inch covered and keeping the multi million Chelski stars Essien, Ballack in check.

Rafa's side achieved a psychological edge over the Chelski in the confidence of a new partnership between Crouch and Bellamy. Combining with sleek passing from Bellamy for Crouch to head home the winner and prior to that, Riise giving a 40 yard scorcher that left the Chelski backfour embarrassed and Cudicini to the ground. This two goals from Liverpool side is nothing but a shadow of what will transpire in the Anfield Camp, a renewed confidence, a hunger that would mean that this season, they are out stronger, and all they need to do is prove themselves by maintaining a good run in the early season.

One cup in the bag, zero for Chelski means, Chelski with their millions can be beatened. This victory is as much as victory for every single team out there as it is for Liverpool.