We have it all here , the good, the bad and the frankly annoying. Just another week at Liverpool Football Club.
The Good
Usually after an international break, the good would be seeing the back of it, but not this time. This week's good is cause for celebration - a reason to be cheerful, really. Saturday's result at Southampton, although not the swashbuckling, barnstorming affair we've become accustomed to in recent times, there was plenty positives to take from the game.
Most notable was the clean sheet. Yes there was attacking fervor and (missed) chances galore - step forward Roberto Firmino - but also at the other, less glamorous end of the pitch. The stout defending on display from Liverpool was a welcome sight. Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren are becoming a solid, dependable pair.
Of course, this is only the second shut-out of the season but it bodes well. The recent goals conceded have been down to either misfortune - step forward Lovren - or simply good play from the opposition - step forward Danny Rose. Overall Liverpool remain in the hunt despite some unlucky (note: not poor) finishing from Sadio Mané and Firmino.
The Bad
This time last year, I wouldn't have described an injury to Adam Lallana as "a blow" or even remotely "bad" for that matter, but this season it's definitely the case. Again, it comes after a stint with the mighty England. I didn't watch the game, as is customary these days, but our national team didn't disappoint. Not only did they succeed spectacularly in snatching a draw from the jaws of victory, they send one of our standout performers back injured. Thanks.
Jürgen Klopp confirmed on Saturday that the 26 year-old will miss the next "two or three games" due to the groin injury sustained. I wouldn't say Lallana was missed on Saturday. Between Emre Can and Gini Wijnaldum the position is well covered and besides, these two offer more than ample alternative in terms of tactics.
The fact is that Liverpool have now been denied a different dimension. Thanks again team England. I wouldn't mind if they'd won. I wouldn't mind if they will qualify and then go on to do more than fail at the World Cup finals. But they didn't and they won't. This is what gripes me. The futile nature of the loss.
The Frankly Annoying
Again, a member of the ex-player brigade rears his ugly head and comes out with a gem of an opinion - if indeed it can be called that. This time it was the turn of Reds old boy Mark Lawrenson, telling BBC Sport club favourite Steven Gerrard could "definitely play in this team...". Eh? Which planet is he on? Which Liverpool team is he referring to? The Legends team, the U-23s perhaps?
He can't in his right mind, be talking about the team Klopp has assembled over this last year. Gerrard, as good as he was in his day, would barely last one half with the current set up. The guy is 36 years-old for crying out loud. Yes perhaps he can do something in the future as a coach or manager, but for now, let's accept his day is gone. It's time we as Liverpool supporters let go of the past.
Simply being a good player doesn't lend itself to management. We may talk about Kenny Dalglish, but he really was an exception. Being a good player does not automatically lend itself to coaching. In my opinion, the club is better off without the legendary No. 8. Let the current crop of players make their own legend without a constant reminder hanging aroundl.
So next up it's the banana skin that is Sunderland, and their ex-Preston North End, ex-Everton, Ex-Manchester United, Ex-Real Sociedad, manager and still Mo-from-the-Simpsons look-alike David Moyes. One would like to think a banker for three points but, as we all know, no game in the Barclays Premier League is easy, even against the team run by a journey-man such as he.
Stranger things have happened and Moyes will have his team fired up for this one. If there is one thing I appreciate about Klopp, it's his ability to get the team focus for these kind of games. Let's hope we this continues next Saturday at 3pm.
Follow Ben on Twitter @MrBengreen
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