While many of the Liverpool players have had commitments elsewhere over the past two weeks, the players back at Melwood have been eagerly awaiting this weekend's fixture - the chance to really kick start Liverpool's season.
Much has been made of the supposed 'poor start' to this season's Premier League campaign. Expectation has understandably increased after last term - however the teething problems that Liverpool have experienced thus far were inevitably going to happen at some stage this season. We can be thankful that it has happened earlier and, with the international break out of the way, Liverpool can now concentrate on producing consistent performances.
The visit of Burnley to Anfield on Saturday will be no Walk in the Park! They have already seen off Manchester United and Everton at Turf Moor and will have their sights set on a victory at Liverpool. The most important thing on Saturday afternoon will be three points for the Reds.
As England have now qualified for next year's World Cup in South Africa, both Steven Gerrard and Glenn Johnson can concentrate solely on their performances for Liverpool. For Johnson in particular, the incentive of producing more fantastic displays for Liverpool will help defy the unfair criticism that he has been receiving this week. His performances so far in a Liverpool jersey have been fantastic and he and Dirk Kuyt are developing a promising partnership, which has the potential to really flourish and produce goals this season. Steven Gerrard will also have the luxury of being able to focus on Liverpool's title challenge this year. By no means is it over - it is only beginning!
Today's announcement from the club that Alberto Aquilani is only 'two to three weeks' away from training will give the players a boost. To many fans Aquilani is an unknown quantity with much being made of his track record of injuries. With the medical staff at Anfield he will be nurtured back to full fitness. It was not so long ago that Xabi Alonso suffered a serious ankle injury and we all know how he returned to action! It will be interesting to see how he gels into the team and his introduction may give Liverpool a timely boost and an extra dimension as an unknown quantity in the Premiership!
This week may prove to be an important week in Liverpool's season. A couple of wins this week will breed confidence. Fernando Torres already has three goals in four games and some may argue that he has been nowhere near his best! The prospect that there is far more to come only excites! A good win this weekend will be just the tonic and maybe just dim some of Rafa's critics, but then again when has that ever happened?