COMMENT: Go top of the league but still get booed. Welcome to Liverpool

Dec 2 2008 by Chris Beesley, Liverpool Daily Post

Supporting cast must step up to cover for Torres

While the win over United suggested that Liverpool could pluck out the big results without relying on their ‘big two’ of Torres and Steven Gerrard, an over-reliance on their influential skipper continues to rein in this team’s ambitions.

While Gerrard was still able to spray some breathtaking long range passes around against the Hammers, for once his finishing was uncharacteristically off the mark and with his team-mates unable to compensate, Liverpool were could not make a breakthrough.

Dirk Kuyt has managed to up his goal ratio in domestic matches this term but often seems more of a threat when cutting inside from the right wing than when he is deployed as an orthodox striker like last night.

Bit-part players Ryan Babel and David Ngog have not got enough minutes under their belts to build up any kind of rhythm and Robbie Keane continues to struggle to make the kind of impact you’d expect of a £20million striker.

Hauled off for the 15th time in 18 starts this season, the Irishman was already shaking his head and mumbling in anticipation of the inevitable ‘number seven’ being brought up on the substitutes’ board.

But a brace against bottom club West Brom is not really enough.

There’s undoubtedly still plenty to work on but if Liverpool remain where they are after 38 games then those same fans at Anfield will be changing their boos to cheers.