Just looking at the stats, could just as easily say that Liverpool in games that Torres and Gerrard have played in haven't not scored a goal not scored or assisted by Torres or Gerrard since the game against Arsenal.

The Steaua game is the only game in which both of them haven't played.

I'm still worried about him using U.S sport comparisons. Does he think other clubs with limited budgets don't sign youth and look for value in the market?

What's interesting now is that there's 3 different men responsible for transfers - Comolli, Hodgson, Henry.

I think there's going to some merry go round blame shifting as the years go on.

Draw?! Go for their throats, put them under the hammer. Lampard and Malouda out, Gerrard in form. I really hope we don't sit back.

Dirk Kuyt returns from injury to start today's mouth-watering clash with Chelsea.

Sotirios Kyrgiakos is out with tonsillitis and Glen Johnson missed out with a minor adductor injury.

The Reds team is: Reina, Konchesky, Kelly, Carragher, Skrtel, Lucas, Gerrard, Maxi, Kuyt, Meireles, Torres. Subs: Hansen, Wilson, Spearing, Poulsen, Shelvey, Ngog, Jovanovic.

ITS DIRK KUKY!?!

Pepe - Made three or four great stops. Patrolled the area well. Only one almost error. 8/10

Kelly - Superb game from the kid. Showed strength, great in the air, got forward. Fantastic from him. 8.

Carra - Great. Did a lot of talking, marshalled the defence, always there to clear the lines. 7.5/10

Skrtel - A little bit suspect. Some good clearances but some suss ones too. 7/10

Konchesky - Did well, Nothing special. One great block. 7/10

Lucas - Only beaten to the MOTM by Torres. Was absolutely everywhere. Ran his heart out. Didn't shy away from anything, got in the face of Mikel, Malouda, Anelka, Drogba, you name it. Some great passes and flicks too. Just superb. 8.5/10

Meireles - Did supremely well for the assist, did his defensive duties well. Solid. 7.5/10

Gerrard - Kept it all ticking over. Always makes me feel confident when he is on the ball. Dictated, didn't put a pass wrong. 7.7/10

Maxi - Buzzed around, good presence. Some very intelligent movement. 7/10

Torres - Two sublime finishes, and fantastic work rate. Chased everything down. Got stuck in, took on the defence and was a constant headache. 9/10.

There was an element of the old Mascherano-Alonso partnership, with Lucas being the destroyer – harassing and winning tackles – and Gerrard spraying passes out wide beautifully.

Lucas Leiva has revealed how competition for a starting berth has inspired the best form of his Liverpool career.

The Brazil international capped a solid start to the new campaign by earning rave reviews for his all-action display in Sunday's victory over Chelsea.

He believes his recent improvement is down to a combination of factors, including a desire to prove himself to new boss, Roy Hodgson.

"It is hard to judge if that was my best game," said Lucas. "I have played 136 times for Liverpool and I'm sure I have had good games before. Chelsea I suppose was one of the best but last year I remember against Manchester United that it went well for me. I am just trying to be consistent.

"As a midfielder, you have to be consistent. I think it is also good to show that there is more to Brazilian players than just tricks. You need to show that you can do the dirty job for the team. That's what I'm trying to do. I play defensive and get forward when I can.

"Everyone could see the manager brought a midfielder in (Christian Poulsen) and (Javier) Mascherano was here. We had a lot of midfielders. But I don't really think about things too much. I just want to keep working hard and be pleased with myself. I am trying to do everything I can.

"If at the end the manager doesn't play me, it is his decision. All I can do is work really hard. Everyone knows Rafa (Benitez) had a lot of confidence in me, so last season was different. But this season I am improving and I'm trying to maintain that level.

"I'm getting older and I think I am getting better. When you get more experience, you feel important and you want to do more. I'm really pleased with how I have played in the last few games and the team is winning. When that happens, everyone has a better performance."

The Reds moved up to ninth place in the Barclays Premier League courtesy of a fourth win on the spin in all competitions at the expense of Chelsea.

Lucas admits there is a renewed belief inside Melwood and a determination to ensure their good work is not undone when they visit Wigan on Wednesday night.

"We are delighted," said Lucas. "We knew Chelsea would be tough to play because they have a lot of confidence and a very good squad. They played (Didier) Drogba in the second half and that shows how good their squad. We had to play with attitude and confidence.

"In the first half we played well but in the second we had some problems. But at the end we won. That is three victories in a row but that will give us a good mood going into the next few games and we will try and keep the same levels of performance.

"We believe again. That is the main thing. We have played with intensity and we are happy. We are not in the position that we want to be. We want to be much higher up the table but we have to keep going."

"Last season it felt like a heavy defeat," Lucas recalled. "It was clear we didn't play well. But every season is different.

"We are five games unbeaten now and we go there with confidence. If we have the same shape and attitude as against Chelsea, hopefully we will beat them."