NEVER can the tone for a season be set quite as swiftly as it was for Liverpool back in August.
Only five minutes of the new campaign had elapsed when the first of a number of recurring themes made their appearance.
Frustration at Anfield? Check.
Controversy involving Luis Suarez? Check.
Debatable referee decision? Check.
Missed penalty? Check.
A spurned opportunity to avoid a damaging home draw? Check.
The failure of referee Phil Dowd to send off Sunderland’s Kieran Richardson for a professional foul on Suarez and the Uruguayan’s subsequent horribly miscued spot-kick were a portent of what was to come during the first half of season that has been part encouraging, part frustrating and part concerning.
In his first full campaign since returning as Liverpool manager, there is no doubt Kenny Dalglish has overseen an improvement from the dark days of imminent administration barely 14 months ago.
But so swift has been the rate of change since the transfer window opened for business in summer that teething troubles have been inevitable, with some less predictable than others.
The nastiest surprise, of course, has been the ongoing racism furore surrounding Suarez, with Liverpool, for all their protestations, likely to be without the striker for at least nine games given the Uruguay international’s additional obscene gesture rap yesterday.
While Suarez is now firmly ensconced as the latest subject of the Kop’s affections, his success, as with so many of 2011’s new arrivals, must be described as a qualified one.
That the Uruguayan is Liverpool’s most dangerous and inspirational attacker is without question. Of greater debate, though, is his ability to convert chances; Suarez is gaining a reputation as more scorer of great goals than great goalscorer.
And there, in a nutshell, is Dalglish’s primary concern. Liverpool simply don’t score enough, their tally of 21 in 18 Premier League games less than half that of front-running Manchester duo City and United.
With Andy Carroll, despite his manager’s protective, reassuring shield, still struggling to adapt to Liverpool’s pass-and-move philosophy, the long-term loss of Suarez is a major concern that may prompt further incomings during next month’s transfer window.
And given Lucas Leiva’s recent season-ending injury, Liverpool are poised to play much of the second half of the campaign without their best two players of 2011.
Big demands, then, on a squad that received a huge overhaul during the summer.
The Roy Hodgson era was largely wiped from memory as Raul Meireles, Paul Konchesky, Christian Poulsen, Milan Jovanovic and, temporarily at least, Joe Cole moved on to pastures new, with Emiliano Insua, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, David Ngog, Daniel Ayala and Alberto Aquilani also exiting.
Dalglish, assisted by director of football Damien Comolli, brought in a British heartbeat with quartet Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam and Craig Bellamy joining deputy goalkeeper Doni and young Uruguayan starlet Sebastian Coates in a recruitment drive worth in excess of £50million.
But it is left-back Jose Enrique, bought only hours before the start of the season, who has proven the most immediate hit, helping Liverpool’s defence become the meanest in the Premier League.
On the other flank, Dalglish continues to breathe new life into Glen Johnson, while the form of centre-back duo Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger has kept veteran Jamie Carragher on the bench.
