All feature as we take a look back over the week's events. The good, the bad and of course the ugly, at our favorite club.
For the good, we have a choice. Firstly the news that Mamadou Sakho has signed an extension to his current deal at Liverpool. The 25 year-old French international is regarded by many as the best central defender at the club and whom Brendan Rodgers may well regret ignoring in preference of expensive imitations like Dejan Lovren. The new deal will keep the big man at Anfield until 2020. Sakho's influential and dominant performance against Bordeaux in Thursday's Europa League tie has only increased his stock among the faithful and possibly Rodgers alike as rumors abound of a start this Sunday for the visit of Norwich City.
Second good is the news of Daniel Sturridge's continued progress toward a first team comeback. It's too early to say whether the ex-Chelsea forward will start Sunday's home game with Norwich but from Rodgers' pre-match press conference, it appears the manager is desperate to add more creativity and firepower to his team. "...That wee bit of risk has gone out of our game... and that's also about the availability of players" confirmed Rodgers. A rather obvious statement from the observer's point of view but it's clear the manager is as desperate for Sturridge's return as the rest of us are.
The bad has got to be the defeat at the hands of Manchester United. I can't remember seeing a more abject performance from a Liverpool side in many a year and something that seriously needs addressing. As is becoming customary with this Liverpool side, they were absolutely invisible until they went a goal down and this is totally unacceptable. Rodgers needs to get this team to show some more "bite" in their play. OK, the draw in Bordeaux was a small step forward but looking forward to Sunday, absolutely nothing but three points will do. Yes, the situation IS that bad. For the changes made and money spent over the summer. The upheaval should begin to start manifesting itself in terms of results at the very least.
The ugly. Steven Gerrard's second attempt at a biography which, in reality, is no more than an exercise in rubbing people up the wrong way. It's been a long time since I read such self centred visions of grandeur. One could say "He's earned it...". What Gerrard should have earned is the right not to indulge himself in bulls*t that writing a footballer's autobiography has become. Simply stirring a response through aggravation and controversy. Poor stuff. Unfortunately because there seems to be a certain honesty missing from what's been publicised so far.
Onward and upward. Liverpool now have four home games coming up. A chance to establish the side as one with some credibility for the season ahead. A chance for the fans to see whether there's something to cheer for, or simply something to cry into your beer for.
Follow Ben on Twitter @MrBengreen
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