THERE were plenty of cheers from the Liverpool fans inside the Reebok Stadium on Saturday, there were surprisingly few smiles from their players.

Another victory ensured that Rafael Benitez’s side must now be viewed as serious title contenders and many of their squad currently possess a serious look to go with it.

It’s not that the pressures of competing at the top are in any way getting to Liverpool’s players, it’s just that they want to be champions so badly and are starting to believe that at long last this just could be their year.

Captain Steven Gerrard could afford to break into a grin when he sealed the points with the visitors’ second goal but he often looks as though he’s carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders as well as the hopes and expectations of his team.

Robbie Keane looked like a crestfallen figure when he saw number seven appear on the fourth official’s board for the 14th time in 16 games he’s started this season and will still be smarting from missing a first half sitter.

Even his replacement Fernando Torres – who teed up Gerrard’s goal with a deliciously languid swat with the outside of his right boot – is going around muttering under his breath like somebody has hidden his Lord of the Rings DVDs, presumably because he’s champing at the bit to return to the starting line-up following his recent injury frustrations.

Jamie Carragher, such a warm and jovial character off the pitch, is rapidly becoming the Anfield version of Yosemite Sam when playing.

Following on from his verbal volley directed towards a terrace know-it-all in the Kemlyn Road Stand a week earlier, the defender blew his top again at Bolton when Xabi Alonso kicked the ball into touch so that the injured Fabio Aurelio could receive attention at a time when Liverpool had been building a promising attack.

At least he wears his heart on his sleeve and the passion comes from a feeling that Carragher – who turns 31 in January – will never have had a better chance to become a league champion and complete his medal collection.