Recently by James Pilnick

A quick look back at some of our home results emphasises why a title challenge failed to materialise last season. Birmingham City, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Wigan all came away from Anfield with a draw - that's eight points dropped in what many would consider "home bankers" in a season that saw us finish 11 points off the top. Therefore, it was absolutely vital we got our home campaign off to a winning start against a Boro side who will surprise a few people this season, and what a way to clinch it!

Tonight's trip to Standard Liege emphasises how drastically football has changed in the past few decades. Thirty years ago Bob Paisley's Liverpool - the previous season's English and European champions - met the champions of Belgium in the European Cup Final at Wembley, the pinnacle of the season between Europe's two top sides. Tonight, the Reds - England's fourth best team last season - meet the Belgian title winners with mere qualification for the competition proper the prize on offer, with a ball yet to be kicked in domestic football. Reaching the group stages would be a gargantuan feat for the club Ronny Rosenthal departed to sign for the Reds.