IT will be a year on Saturday when Tom Hicks and George Gillett were chased out of Liverpool, and how things have changed since then. For the better.

Sure, Hicks and Gillett are still pursuing a court case for damages, but they are barking up the wrong tree there. Under that American duo, Liverpool were on a downward curve.

Things looked bleak. People found it difficult to see through the gloom. Now, under the leadership of John Henry and Tom Werner, it’s all different.

The club is on an upward curve, and under Kenny Dalglish there is a completely new feeling, more positive, more upbeat. Suddenly, supporters are looking forward to the game rather than dreading what is to come.

Pepe Reina’s revelation that he could have left Liverpool on three separate occasions was enlightening; the fact he stayed put encouraging.

Reina could easily have walked last summer when Arsenal came calling. On hearing the news, he could have pushed for a move to a club that was in the Champions League and had, at that point, a far greater chance of winning silverware.

But Reina didn’t. He thought about it, and would have considered it possible, but opted to stay.

In days where Carlos Tevez can simply refuse to come on as substitute because he can’t be bothered, it’s a welcome sign of loyalty.