Keep spirit and the same team

Nov 10 2007 by Paul Gillooly, Liverpool Daily Post

View From The Stands

IF YOU don’t go into a game with confidence after winning 8-0 and creating a Champions League record in the process you never will.

I can’t help but think the next few weeks are going to be instrumental in shaping the rest of the season.

Undefeated in the league this far into the season has to be a good foundation for a title challenge and yet you sense a slight lack of belief.

It’s as though momentum has been lost with too many draws. Obviously one of the problems this season has been the results at Anfield.

Draws against Arsenal and Chelsea are one thing, Spurs and Birmingham quite another. Those four points dropped are a major factor in the pessimism of recent weeks.

So a win is a must. Rafa has a key part to play here. He needs to retain the spirit of Tuesday night so that means starts for Benayoun, Voronin and Crouch.

Ideally, this will allow Torres a chance to be eased back to full fitness without compromising his rehabilitation.

Add the prospect of Alonso, Agger, Finnan, Babel, Kuyt, Lucas and Kewell fighting to get back into the team and you have to say the future looks bright. Positive thinking.

That’s what we need. Over to you Rafa.