WhiskeyJar

For Pennant to make a comeback now would mean one out of two things: 1) He is developing well in the reserves to the point where Rafa has to put him because he cant be overlooked anymore or 2) Wants to boost his value to sell him on in January. Either way Pennant for me is a no go as Babel, Kuyt and Gerrard can operate on that wing as well as Reira if we have to. I thought Pennant will be a good buy but he doesnt have the finishing touch to make it in a team like Liverpool....

Encouraged no end by the exceptional display that had Manchester United choking in their slipstream, Liverpool must feel in pretty fine fettle. Rafael Benitez knows, after all, that there's so much more to come from this group of players, particularly the one bought at considerable expense from Tottenham in the summer. In many ways, Robbie Keane has yet to get going at his new club. At the moment, it's as if he's trying too hard to succeed at the club he supported as a boy. Easier said than done, but he just needs to relax a bit more and become the player that persuaded Benitez to bring him to Anfield. Mind you, like all front men, that will probably only happen when he finds the back of the net and, in Keane's case, heads for the corner flag to complete that trademark celebration, the one that ends with him firing pretend shots at the crowd. Only then will he begin to loosen up and start showing his new public what he can really do. At the moment, there's a bit of tension to his game, especially when the goal comes within range. You could see it at the weekend in the way he snatched at one chance before reacting too slowly when Javier Mascherano's pulled shot headed his way - nothing too serious, merely evidence of a player tightening up slightly. As always with strikers starting out at new clubs, Keane just needs a break of the ball, a bit of luck in the penalty box, then the Republic of Ireland captain can start doing himself justice, whilst developing a better understanding with Fernando Torres. As yet, we haven't seen the pair click. A combination billed as potentially lethal has lain largely dormant over the first few weeks of the season. We can put that down to a few things. For a start, the early season internationals certainly haven't helped. With the best players disappearing to all four corners of the globe, the top club managers struggle for continuity. The Irishman and the Spaniard should dovetail beautifully to form the kind of potent attacking partnership Anfield hasn't seen in years. Yet in Torres' absence on Saturday (the Spaniard's recovering hamstring kept him on the bench), Keane worked incredibly hard, compensating gamely for a slight shortfall in confidence by chasing down opponents like a man possessed. That's important for anyone employed by the demanding Benitez, but particularly for someone trying to foster a relationship with a new set of fans. Mind you, I can't see too many problems in this case. Keane is the type Liverpool's knowledgeable crowd should grow to love - a very skilful competitor blessed with a natural work ethic who also knows when to pass, and do it, crucially, with a great deal of craft and vision. Six games in, those qualities might still be waiting to flourish. So might Keane's sharpness in front of goal. Yet if I had to nominate someone just now who seems ideally suited for a particular football club, the 28-year-old would rival Dimitar Berbatov, his old Spurs team-mate, as No 1 choice. Just like the classy Berbatov looks a perfect match for Manchester United, so the intelligent Keane seems made for the red half of Merseyside. In fact, I'd go as far to say that the famous No 7 shirt worn by Keegan and Dalglish rests in pretty safe hands. He's going to succeed - it's just a matter of time - and that moment, I'd guess, isn't too far away. ALAN SMITH: KEANE WILL BE KOP HERO

I never said that Keane is a waste of money, on the contrary I think he will come up trumps but for now he is not scoring goals. Which leaves us relying on Torres, Babel and Ngog for a regular source of goals. Torres in my view is still recovering from his op and cant get around a defender to save his life and Ngog hasnt got any games under him yet rendring him a gamble to play up front against Stoke. Which leaves us with Babel who scored on Saturday against the Mancs and who got into some great positions to score the third one on Tuesday night. In my view Babel has not only warrented his place up front for one more game but is also sharp, match fit and confident. Why not start him??

I hear what you are saying and with a fit Torres and a consistent Keane I would totally agree BUT...... ...with Torres in my view still coming about to full fitness and with Keane being a drought, I still think that against Stoke Babel should lead the line and then make changes at half time if needed. He should start alongside Keane and then take it from there.....

1. Reina: Some world class saves towards the end of the game. Well chuffed to him in the squad. 2. Gerrard: One world class goal after a great build up and nerves of steel to reatake the penalty. Drove the team. 3. Caragher: Did not put a foot wrong all game. Mr Reliable.... MY worst 3 were: 1. Skertel: Sometimes showed that he lacks patience and maturity, some of his tackles were simply awful. Was afraid that he was going to get sent off towards the end. 2. Lucas: I was screaming for Rafa to replace him as he wasnt passing well and sometimes out of positon. Made amends towards the end though. 3. Torres: Just to make up the top three but every time he took a man was caught, made it up though with his contribution in the build up towards the goal...

Saying that, there was an a situation where a winger was realsed in the final quarter and Babel made a list ditch tackle before he made the cross. That was a Masch like tackle and I have to say made me stand up take notice...

I dont like this anti-Kuyt status that is now roaming the forums. I dont think there is another player in the squad that has more assits than Kuyt. The many times he tracked back and tackled whilst assisting to goal is phenomenal. I was worried when Rafa took him for Yossi as Kuyt just drives from the mid field to attacking possitions and tracks back to help out the defence. He was outstanding last night to give an outlet for Torres to pass to and making an assist for Gerrard to bury the goal.

I want to see Rafa give more opportunities to Babel to play up front. I know that Keane and Torres are our first team stikers but maybe Babel made an enough statement last night to suggest that he deserves another creack at it. Torres is obviously still unfit, even though he played his part leading up to Liverpools first goal, but in his absence I would like to see Keane and Babel lead the line, and I think against Stoke will be a great chance to see this happen.

Albert Reira is the best creative player we have at our disposal at the minute and will get better with each passing game. I wanted the player to come as Rafa rated him so highly. He also made an instant impact last night as soon as he came onto the pitch when he linked up play with the midfield, realsed him on the wing and made an excellent low cross that created on the opportunites for Babel to bury. Rafa has been spot on this one and anyone that disputes this at this point is just driven by his anti-Rafa belief.

Crazy Nick is at it again.... The only player I want to see at Liverpool at the moment is Barry.......we have pace and talent up front, defence is as solid as ever, fullbacks as attacking as fowards and a powerhouse creative midfield. We needed someone like Barry last night though....

Whatever Formation it is, I want to see Babel up front. I thought he was unlucky in France last night and I want to see him up front one more time. Torres for me, is off the pace at the mo its scary. Keane is not firing yet, Torres in unfit, Kuyt is like having a second Masch in the squad and Ngog has not got a game yet under him. Babel looks like our only source of goals at the moment.....

Doent justify it one bit. The player holding the ball has one the byline, skipped passed him and Guthrie tried to trip him from behind and failed. So he tried again but harder....much harder. That is not justified especially in the manner in which he done it. He didnt even try to get the ball, he wanted the player down, in whatever way possible.... In my opinion you cant defend that, no matter if you are losing 1-0v or 10-0 its unprofessional, dangerous and possibly carrer ending. Ban him for a few matches and hope he learns his lesson.

Okay so when did Rafa NOT improve the club over a transfer window???:wallbutt: I think its time for a "Red Nick has lost the plot thread"......are you really that against our manager that you cannot see him signing a new contract, cant improve the team and has a power struggle with Alonso?? Get real man.....Rafa is manager of LFC and his word is law and doesnt care who likes him or his tactics....he will do his job as he sees fit, just like any top class manager....

I know it will take a lot more to force the yank out, all I am saying is there is hope...... Ashley nearly drove the club to the ground, we are nowhere near that turmoil for now, but at least it proves that the fans can make a difference.

We need the sort of passion that the Geordies showed on Saturday that forced Ashley to admit of selling the club. Now I dont know what it will take to get out yank bastards out but if the Newcastle fans can do it, why cant we.? On the meeting, the SOS is being very vague, but I dont want to beleive any word that Gillete said in that meeting especailly after he used the term "financially sound"......now I wodner what his definition of "financially sound means".........

Chelsea: Solid squad with loads of talent and a fantastic bench. A great attacking side that seem to have enough flair and creativity to open up any team on the break. Added to that their strong trickey fowards and they have a squad to reckon with. Our cautious playing style will suit us well against them. Arsenal: Same as last season but with more experience. Our agressive attaking style should be no match for thier fragile defence.... Man United: They are not on form as of late, but I expect them to rise to the occasion soon...

In one one term, no......I would rather see Ngog and Nemeth up there than fucking Heskey....

Saw him. I wouldnt call that signing, more like mumbling.....almost if he knew the camera would look at him at that precise moment.....

Riera looks like a much better play, but I wonder what would of happend if Kewell started on the left too. Still I prefer Reira, he has more technical ability than Kewell and has a better cross. For pace, I think Kewell was faster...

I do not think pace was the reason why Rafa bought him in the first place, it was more to do with his scoring ability, his intelligence and link up play. He will come good, just wait and see......

Should be a great game for Keane to get on the score sheet......I would also like to see Ngog for this game as his pace might scare the living hell out of Stoke.

He definatley unsettled Brown who made the mistake of the own goal. I can safely say that he is going to make the left side his own, I cant remember Kewell being this effective on his debut....

Both fullbacks were immense today, no doubt Dossena and Degen will now have to fight hard to make it into the first team..

Its a nice change from the pessimistic defeatism that usually roams these forums. This win will have an impact on all levels of Liverpool FC. From the players to the staff to the fans and the city itself. The community forums will be buzzing with belief and our competitors will be more weary of us now. This is more than just a win for us, it will shake up everything that is connected to Liverpool......

That becoming my favourite pic of all time.......