Liverpool take all 3 points from Newcastle

Alonso redeemed himself with a superb strike that gave Liverpool fans a renewed hope for this season. A much needed victory took the pressure off the Red while they need to prepare for the visit of Spurs who need a victory as much as Rafa's men.

Mixed reactions to look forward

Tony Cascarino (Former Chelsea player) had a good word for the defeated Liverpool at Stamford Bridge last Sunday, that the Reds did all the things right except finding the goal, and they lost to a shot that's impossible to defend. With that barrage of attempts of goals wasn't common except when Barcelona visited Chelsea last season Champions League, Liverpool would be aggrieved for the harsh reality of throwing away their chances especially the several missed shots from their mecurial captain Steven Gerrard. For others, it is one of the worst start ever to the Liverpool campaign in the English Premier League, and wondering how the once formidable defence in the partnership of Hyypia and Carragher is now, a question if Hyypia is getting too old for the English game, and Carragher ought to have be relegated to a second fiddle to the new star in Daniel Agger. However, it is not the defenders that the supporters are unhappy with, but the unreliability of Reina in the Everton game, that i as a Liverpool fan, am more concerned with.

The question remains, can Reina be the man that Liverpool can trust, or will he be another David James, whom we know, is nothing but a model hopeless cracker. And as we see one by one, Scott Carson went on loan, Kirkland to another, Kromkamp leaving for PSV, i wonder, are we concentrating too much on the widening our options up front, but forgotten that the foundation of a successful side depends very much on a reliable backfour and the depth in strength of our defences? We are seriously lacking depth and choices in our defence, and in goalkeeping, and i doubt Rafa Benitez will have the cash to spend on players come the January transfer window.

It remains to be seen how Rafa must come to select a side that plays to their strength and no longer experimenting especially so the key to whether Liverpool will have a bad season or an exciting one depends on the next two home games against Newcastle and Tottenham of which both are equally desperate to win at Anfield. I must say i am rather happy to learn, Shay Given is out for an operation and it is up to the reserved goalkeeper to stop the tide of Reds at Anfield, which is already a good sign pointing us to another 3 points in the bag to move upward in the table.

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.