Could this international break be a good thing for Rafael Benitez?
It's not often that the managers of top clubs all agree on the same issue but one subject that unites them is their dread of international fixtures.
Although Rafa, Fergie, Wenger and co all respect the importance of and need for international football, none of them are quick to deny what a disruption and distraction it is to their much more important business.
The squads get broken up, players travel to the other side of the globe and of course the risk of injury to top players are reasons why these intervals are the bane of these already stressed managers lives.
Rafael Benitez must cross fingers and toes when watching his top stars play for their countries, especially seeing as Fernando Torres seems to have a touch of Jamie Redknapp syndrome - a condition that prevents players returning from international duty in any sort of fit state.
Barring any injuries on Wednesday nights fixtures (touching wood as typing) this, for once, could be counted as a welcome break for Liverpool Football Club.
Players that have yet to feature such as Daniel Agger, Fabio Aurelio and Alberto Aquilani edge closer to first team contention and the sooner those three can play, particularly the Italian, the better.
As it occurs at the start of the season it gives Rafa and his men a chance to treat it as a new beginning to the season, as lets face it, 2009-2010 hasn't really started as yet, it has been a near disaster.
People may argue that disaster is a bit of a strong word and they maybe right - Spurs and Villa will beat other top sides this season - but the performances are the most worrying thing, even in the games that were won.
There is little doubting that the sending off of Sean Davis was the turning point at the Reebok as Liverpool were struggling up until that point. The sending off freed match winner Gerrard from man marker Muamba who before that had kept the skipper very quiet indeed.
Even against Stoke, the period between Torres' opener and Johnson's goal was dreadful, really worrying.
Now of course, it is only the start of the season and it will take most teams a while to get into their stride - just remember last season, but a lot of pressure is already on new signing Aquilani, as the midfield partnership between Lucas and Javier Mascherano clearly lacks something, particularly when in possession. If the Italian doesn't instantly settle in, then there could well be big problems, possibly meaning Gerrard dropping back.
This could well be put into practice this weekend as Mascherano will be playing in a must win game in Paraguay whilst the Brazilian has a chance of a rare start for his nation as they have already qualified - both in the early hours of Thursday.
Three points on Saturday is imperative and if that is achieved, hopefully this season will have truly begun.
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I think so. I think Rafa needs all the help he needs. He's not the Rafa he was a number of years ago.