So Rafa decided to stick with the same 11 that annihilated Besiktas but this time the goals failed to materialise....until a certain £26million signing arrived on the scene to spare the home teams blushes!


Benitez said he would be a match winner and that's exactly what he turned out to be. There is no denying the ability of Fernando Torres and it was right that Rafa started with the same 11, however, Liverpool were crying out for someone who could just provide that little piece of magic and El Nino was the man to deliver!


Although Ryan Babel did well enough against Besiktas and in his short appearance against Fulham, this expensive signing still has a lot to prove. For him to be preferred to Harry Kewell is mystifying, but hopefully Babel will start to live up to his price tag and that Harry will get some more playing time to help step up his fitness.


Newcastle away next in the Premiership - with Newcastle's current run of form, it's another game that Liverpool should be looking secure all 3 points on, especially if they are to keep pace with Arsenal and Man Utd.