After a pedestrian start, it's time for Liverpool to kick up a gear
IT'S the first home game of the campaign, and one in which the Reds should record a victory.
Middlesbrough haven't beaten us at Anfield for 30-odd years, and although our record at the Riverside needs a bit of work, our home form should be enough to see Boro off.
Last season's encounter was tight, and it took a wonderful hat- trick from Fernando Torres to win the game, but this season we've stepped forward again. The game will be interesting to see if the week since the pedestrian performance against Sunderland has woken the lads up to the fact that the season has begun.
With the news from Anfield dominated again this week by a supposed falling out between manager and chief executive over transfers, one possible target will be on show. There's no doubting Stewart Downing is a talented player; he's that rarest of creatures, an Englishman with a good left foot, but is he fulfilling the promise he showed earlier in his career?
Rafa likes him, and he may well become a Red over the next week or so if the Rumour Mill is to be believed, but Boro will be keen to keep him in the north east. The Reds need width, and have done for a good few years now, so Downing may be the answer to our attacking conundrum.
Ryan Babel's return from the Olympics is a huge boost for the team. We looked slow and bereft of ideas at times last weekend, and the little bit of unpredictability that Ryan can give us will be welcome.
With Torres, Alonso, Gerrard, Carragher and Reina all showing excellent form, and Robbie Keane champing at the bit for his first goal, the Reds go into this one with high hopes. Boro recorded a good victory against Tottenham on the opening day, but the Reds will be the team to leave Anfield with three points.
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