The gutless streaky piece of piss performances that have blighted his four years on Merseyside have vanished? Smicer has at last gained some bollock's, started scoring goals and generally begun looking the part?
Well yes, all the above is unequivocally true. Why Vladimir Smicer has suddenly got his arse in gear and decided to demonstrate his considerable skills in a Red shirt (the contrast between his performances for the redmen and for his native Czech Republic often bewildered) really is uncertain. The arrival of Harry Kewell could have something to do with it, as could the more expressive style of play Liverpool are now beginning to practice, but the point remains - the real Vladimir Smicer has stood up (well, he's leaning against the lamp post at least)
El-Hadji Diouf too, what the hell? The serial killer is beginning to look very much like a player worth £10m and who has been voted African Player of the Year on two occasions. Constructed of the finest Senegalese steel, Diouf can beat players, something we have been deprived of on a regular basis since the departure of Steve Mcmananman. But, unlike the floppy haired one, El-Hadji doesn't run down dead ends, and if he does he can usually muscle or trick (or unleash some phlegm) his way out of it. He is quickly becoming a major attacking threat for the Reds.
Kewell has slotted in seamlessly and he is forming part of a formidable trident of attack king flair with Smicer and Diouf and you have to say that there has never been a better time to be Michael Owen in a Liverpool team. He'll be Premier League top scorer this season just you see.
Steve Finnan has been fantastic so far at right back, and we will see the best from him, like the team as a whole as the season progresses. Finnan is exactly the kind of full back that we have needed for the diamond formation to function properly
I was gutted to see almost half of the season cruelly taken away from both Jamie Carragher and Milan Baros during the Blackburn game. I also couldn't believe Souness's attempt at defending the indefensible. The Scot will always be bitter at what happened during his tenure as Liverpool boss, needless to say he was a fantastic player but nothing short of a shit of a man.
This season was looking to be the one that Baros was really given the chance to stake his claim. Neil Mellor had been given the opportunity to ply his trade for a good footballing side in the shape of West Ham for a year. Houllier clearly gave his statement of intent by making Heskey the third choice striker. The stage was set. It's a real shame for him and Liverpool, that he broke his ankle. Baros probably had at least 20 goals in him this season, certainly with our new style. I firmly believe that.
We would have beaten Charlton last week had the Czech star been playing. Baros' come back in the New Year may just give us that extra bit of dynamite for the final push towards a top three place. Or maybe even the title?
November will see the return of German powerhouse Didi and that will be like signing a new player, freeing Steven Gerrard to take his combative and attacking abilities further up the midfield. I have been longing, as has everyone, for a Liverpool that scores goals, and it has been great witnessing them slowly rediscover the route to goal. Things are changing, slowly but surely.
I just hope that Le Boss keep's his nerve and remains calm, there could well be more results like the Charlton game where we miss numerous chances and get hit on the break with jammy goals. I was extremely worried that he said he intends to keep attacking and that he is "Not considering changing our style of play at the moment"
At the moment? I really do hope that is not the same doubt returning that put paid to our attacking vigour early last season. Please Ged, just keep attacking. Keep bombarding the opposition, the dynamics between defence and attack will gel sooner rather than later and Liverpool will be infinitely more solid for it - keep the faith.
To my fellow Reds, just remember, there is a new Liverpool in our midst, they will score goals this season and they can achieve something very special.