The pace of Downing, the work rate of Henderson and the guile of Adam have added to the exuberance of Suarez creating a potent attacking threat more refined than last season and one that brushed aside Owen Coyle’s men. Whisper it, but Kenny seems to have gone someway to replicating the effect that Barnes, Beardsley and Aldridge had on the side in 1987. Now I am not saying that this team is anywhere close to that vintage but here was Dalglish’s explanation of his team building back then,
“The board had approached me at Christmas 1986 and said there was money available for players. I gave them the names of five players and I got four of them - Barnes, Beardsley, Houghton and Aldridge. It took time to buy these four. That was instrumental in 1986-87 being such a fruitless season at Anfield. It was my fault we didn't win anything. I didn't want to spend Liverpool's money rashly. Bringing in any old player for a short-term tonic seemed irresponsible. I wanted to wait until those four quality players became available. That shows how supportive Liverpool's directors were. They were also prepared to wait until the right players were ready. The board knew Liverpool might not win anything that season but that I was planning for the future. Their patience was rewarded."
It feels familiar to what we are witnessing today and given the turmoil when he took over this time round all the more remarkable. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves three games in but Anfield seemed to know it was witnessing more than just a good performance on Saturday.
Kenny’s blueprint of pace, pressing and pass and move was evident as it powered his Liverpool side to an early lead courtesy of Henderson’s first goal for the club. The next thirty-five minutes, prior to Skrtel’s powerfully headed second, were perhaps the most encouraging of the season. For the first twenty or so of those minutes continued dominance was not converted into goals but the team persevered with high tempo attacking intent, there was no sitting back. As inevitably the pace dropped a little and Bolton came into it thoughts drifted back to Sunderland. However, the midfield and defence maintained their discipline, denying Bolton any real belief that this period was anything other than a temporary stay of execution, with Lucas exceptional in his breaking up of play.
There have been many occasions in recent seasons when we have followed this pattern and struggled in the second half to get going again. Not so on Saturday and the initiative was regained immediately with the resultant stretching of the lead. The team had displayed a unity of purpose and a belief in one another during this “flat” period and had played their way through it as unit. Charlie Adam’s goal was further reward.
A couple of further incidents just after the third goal added to the confidence that this season will be one to savour. Jamie Carragher challenged for the ball in front of the Paddock and it clearly took a deflection for a throw that was given instead to Bolton. Carragher reacted with a competitive fury as if defending a slender lead in the last minute of a cup final. Bill Shankly once said he wanted players who would compete for everything, even in training; Carragher would have got the great man’s nod of approval I think.
Shortly afterwards Lucas tried to loft a difficult ball over to Suarez but it was hit too hard. It was not long ago that our main striker, now sulking in West London, would have turned with a look of disgust at the lack of accuracy. Instead Suarez looked frustrated that it hadn’t come off, as it denied him a chance, but completely appreciative of the intent behind an ambitious attempt.
It’s beginning to be a hallmark of this side: they encourage, they smile, they are enjoying their work. I think we are too.