TEN DAYS TO GO

Another game, another four goals for Liverpool after we dispatched Valerenga with pleasingly clinical ease last night.
Generally though, the lines are getting a bit blurred at Anfield over who Rafa likes, and who, secretly, he doesn't.
In one breath, he says Alonso is a great player and he'd love him to remain a Liverpool player.
The next second he is telling everyone he's open for offers.
It's the right policy, of course, as to offer Xabi up on a platter to any taker would seriousy hamper his confidence and desire to play for the club if any move fails to materialise.
It's probably this astute handling of the situation that helped the Spaniard to produce a man-of-the-match performance againt the Norwegians.
Another player whose future seems slightly unclear is Yossi Benayoun.
For me, he's a 'must-keep' player and could be a massive success this season. His goals against Valarenga and Tranmere will be hardly bettered during the Premiership.

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I think he needs lots of games, and to be named in the starting line-up for us to see his true value.
Yet, there's still talk of him being sold, or used to generate cash for the now terminably dull Gazza Bazza saga.
With us only having Pennant, and a reluctant Babel as wide men, I can't see how we can afford to get rid of him.
Okay, so he might be lightweight at times, but he will always produce that moment of class to turn a game when defences are on top.
Aside from the great finish from Torres in the Champions League semi final at Stamford Bridge, it needed a moment of special creativity to unlock a stubborn Blues defence.
Yossi provided it, jinking inside before sliding a delicate ball through to the Spaniard.

If the Barry debacle gives Alonso a much needed kick up the arse, then another season or two from him might be beneficial.
Certainly, the Valerenga game showed he may have taken a few lessons on board.
As Tony Barrett says in his match report, (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/08/06/valerenga-1-liverpool-4-100252-21475570/) for a player who has such a technically excellent way of addressing a football, it's staggering that Xabi doesn't get himself further forward to pepper the goal with shots.
The position he's played has something to do with that. He's no good as a holding midfielder. He needs to be played advanced, then we might see the best of him.

Ngog seems to be a decent buy, and a player who might make some decent impact coming off the bench in the Premiership.
With Torres, Keane, Babel, Kuyt(sort of) and Ngog there is some frightening fire power now. It's just the winger situation that continues to perplex me.
I don't think Benitez truly rates Pennant, he knows Babel and Kuyt and frustratingly ineffectual in the wide areas, yet since Milner, there's been nothing concrete about a touchline dribbler.
Many will probably disagree with this, but Lennon from Spurs, or moreover, Downing from Middlesborough would have done well for us.

At the back, Arbeloa appears to be staying, which seems common sense and there are some encouraing signs from Dossena's early displays, in an attacking sense at least.
There's something about Finnan, Degen, Arbeloa and Dossena that hardly inspires me when I consider the dashing full backs like Clichy, Evra and Cole, but there's only so much in the pot.

But generally, there seems to be some decent optimism among Reds fans. Another season, plenty of 'possibilities' as Rafa would no doubt say.