DAVID NGOG has clearly had something of a new lease of life under Roy Hodgson. He’s scored four goals in three games and his finish against Arsenal is clearly one of a striker in confident mood.

But nothing he has done so far has changed my opinion that Roy Hodgson needs to make a new striker his priority before the transfer window shuts.

Although Ngog hit a great shot to open the scoring on Sunday, in the first half he was way off the pace.

In the system Hodgson seems to favour, it’s asking too much of him to lead the line on his own. He’s still got a lot to learn in terms of movement and positional play.

So the problem that bothered me for much of last season – that when Fernando Torres is injured Liverpool don’t have adequate cover to compensate for his absence – still remains.

There aren’t many like Torres around. But if Hodgson fails to at least get someone of similar mobility and style then the concern over where goals are going to come from should Torres be absent could well hamper progress this season.

I don’t think the manager really wants the current striking options to see him through the end of August to January 1.

But I don’t want to start the season on a negative – and I think the spring Ngog has in his step is actually refreshingly typical of how Liverpool have entered this new season.

I wasn’t at Anfield on Sunday but I could almost sense the huge collective of relief that, after all the troubles that have plagued the club last season and through the summer, things might actually turn out okay.

Torres and Steven Gerrard staying on, coupled with the arrival of Joe Cole and Hodgson, seems to have given everyone the fresh start that was clearly needed.

And that is only enhanced by the new ownership issue currently going on – as long as the club has learnt form past mistakes.

Although Liverpool didn’t play particularly well, they still came within seconds of beating one of the top sides they will be looking to challenge in their bid to get back in the Champions League this season. And they played for most of the game with 10 men.

I was pleased to see one holding midfielder allowing Gerrard and Cole the freedom to attack.

If Liverpool, when Cole is back from suspension, set up like they want to win games then there will be a lot to look forward.

Of course, the fact that when Hodgson was at Fulham, they didn’t score or win many away from home so it will be interesting to see how he approaches it.

But a draw with Arsenal is already a decent indicator that things could be heading in the right direction.

A similarly uplifting outcome against Manchester City next Monday will be perhaps an ever greater one.