AH, THIS is more like it. This time last year the blogs and airwaves were full of grumblings about the new Liverpool FC manager, his playing style and the quality of the squad he had inherited and allegedly enhanced.

Konchesky, Poulsen and Cole walked the earth; there was more chance of those occupying the subs’ bench changing their hairstyle than changing the game.

A humiliating exit from the Carling Cup was behind us, but further ignominy was just around the corner at the hands of Blackpool and Everton.

I’m not suggesting that all in the Red garden is rosy now, and we may yet have our tails back between our legs after the next two games, but what a pleasure it is to be back debating the merits of the current squad and devising bizarre formations which can accommodate our favoured players.

Can Andy Carroll play with Luis Suarez? Should Bellamy be given a run? Who will drop out to accommodate Gerrard?

These are much more positive discussions than whether Milan Jovanovic was overpriced as a free transfer.

For while there are still those who wonder whether Adam and Henderson are of the required quality, doubt whether Carroll is up to the job and still think Lucas is more ukulele than Makelele, the task of picking the best XI from our available resources is now one of considered discussion rather than a distressing scramble.