What a refreshing change, after the dross of the DW Stadium and the long balls in Lille, how good was it to see Liverpool playing some fantastic football?

Yes, Portsmouth were pretty piss poor, but Liverpool took full advantage in a stylish and confident display. In the first half especially Liverpool threatened to run riot over Pompey, the Torres-Gerrard combination was back, Maxi Rodriguez was finding space here, there and everywhere and Alberto Aquilani looked like he could live upto the £18 million price tag.

As previously mentioned in the after-game thoughts against Lille, the isolation of Torres and lack of creative movement in midfield led to a stale attacking display. But at Anfield on Monday night there was an evident shift in emphasis. The inclusion of Alberto Aquilani was key to this particular transition.

While Aquilani's starting position was essentially alongside Javier Mascherano in a holding role, his progressive forward runs left him unmarked on many occasions in dangerous areas. It was interesting to see Michael Brown had clearly been given the job of 'man marking' Steven Gerrard, yet Pompey did not count on the forward runs of Aquilani from deep.

Maxi Rodriguez's movement was also refreshing, while not the greatest in possession, the Argentine seems to have a clever mind and shows a willingness to pick out space and link up play. With Glen Johnson occassionally bombing forward from right-back, the make-up of Liverpool's attacking threat suddenly looked alot brighter. Fernando Torres re-discovered his shooting boots and looked dangerous all night, a major plus with Old Trafford on the horizon.

It would be a surprise if Benitez does not adapt a similar attacking approach in Thursday's game against Lille. However, even if Aquilani shines again, the inclusion of Lucas Leiva for a more disiciplined display at Old Trafford next weekend would surely make sense.

Interesting quotes coming out from Fernando Torres today, the media have somewhat span the comments slightly but in general very encouraging that Torres will be staying at Anfield.

"It's too soon to talk, I honestly think that we're going to be fourth, but for me Champions League qualification isn't so important," said the Spaniard.

"The really important thing is that the club makes a big effort and brings in important players, who will improve the quality of the squad. We need four or five top-class players to compete, better than we have here, who will make us grit our teeth and do everything we can to try and keep our places.

"Without reinforcements next year we will once again be fighting to be fourth. I want to fight next year to win the Premier League, to win the Champions League or the Europa League, but for this there have to be signings.

"I've left my home and it's clear that I owe Liverpool many things, and I'm very happy here. The fans have treated my like one of their own, but I'm going to think about my future and hopefully it will be here. I think these fans deserve to win.

"Beyond thinking about me, I think the club deserve to get back to winning (trophies), but they know themselves that right now that it's far off.

"The fans are worried about players going, it's a problem when you start to fear that your players are going because you know it's because the club is not moving forward, but I don't think that is going to be the situation here.

"Since the arrival of (managing director) Christian Purslow Liverpool have had an important boost, we signed with a big-money sponsor to match Real Madrid, then things are going to go forward."

Another game, another away game without a goal. The reds have now failed to find the target in five of their last six away games, a worrying trend to say the least.

Liverpool created a handful of chances in France last night but the lack of movement and creative element in the final third was still there for all to see. Note a previous post from Red and White Blogger, highlighting this.

A tactic from Rafa Benitez last night seemed to be to target Fernando Torres with long balls over the top of the Lille defence, and certainly on a dodgy looking surface it might not have been the worst idea. Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger seemed especially briefed on this. It is a tactic that has worked in the past for Liverpool, most notably last season at Old Trafford when Martin Skrtel's long ball released Torres for Liverpool's equalising goal.

But Liverpool's long ball tactics rely too heavily on the ability of Torres, there was too big a gap between Torres and the rest of the team last night. At times the Spaniard managed to make something of the long ball situations but as the game went on you could see the visible frustration from Torres, he was essentially feeding on scraps. Support from midfield was all too rare, but when it did come Liverpool created arguably their best chance (and move) of the night when Ryan Babel linked up with the main forward, only for the Dutchman to be foiled by Landreaux.

One thing to emphasise here is that using the long ball tactic is not the worst ploy, in fact with the pace and ability of Torres it can be fruitful but in order for it become effective support must come from midfield, too many times last night this wasn't the case. There must also be a variation in the type of attack Liverpool present to the opposition, going long everytime becomes easy for the opposition to read. Last season the link up between Gerrard and Torres (even if they didn't start too many games together) was effective but was also added to by a supporting cast of Dirk Kuyt, Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera.

Liverpool's forward philosophy seems to have become extremely static, which in itself is baffling considering the success of last season. Does Benitez's 4-2-3-1 formation need to be altered? It was very successful last season but in truth it has never looked like repeating that success this term. In the Premier League especially there seems to be a new trend emerging of the 4-3-3/4-5-1 formation with Manchester United and Arsenal two of the beneficiaries. Manchester United's use of this system with Rooney at the head of the formation seems effective, it becomes efficient both in both home and away games because the two wide players are used to support the attack when going forward and then sit in to become a five-man midfield when the opposition are coming forward.

It could be worth considering by Benitez because Liverpool do have the personel to use this formation. Torres, as we know can lead the line solely, he could then be supported by the likes of Ryan Babel, Albert Riera, Dirk Kuyt or Yossi Benayoun in the two wide positions. That would leave three positions in the middle of midfield where you could potentially use Gerrard, Mascherano, Lucas or even Aquilani.

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On a side note, the recent performances of Javier Mascherano must be applauded. The Argentine is finding his best form again, even in his stints at right-back (most notably in the Derby) the 25-year-old has impressed. Against Lille Javier was at his destructive best, it's just a shame that nobody in front of him is showing any particular form.

Obviously Liverpool have now made things extremely difficult for themselves in their quest for fourth place but there surely couldn't have been a better game to get back on track than troubled Portsmouth coming to Anfield.

It’s the day after the night before and the dust and settled on what was Liverpool’s ninth league defeat. This blog post was purposely delayed until today to avoid any forthcoming knee-jerk reaction.

Unfortunately, as a Liverpool supporter I am still left seething with the utterly lifeless performance that was Wigan away. Even the best teams have their off days but the fact remains Liverpool have had too many off days this season, especially away from Anfield. Sunderland, Portsmouth, Reading, Fiorentina, Fulham and Wigan, the list goes on of genuinely pathetically poor performances.

It was the first time that I can remember Rafa Benitez visibly incensed in his post match interview, you could tell he was hurting. Benitez very rarely, if at all, criticises his team but last night was an exception that needed to be made.

These professional footballers that supposedly ‘crave’ Champions League football did their best impression at not showing it last night. There was no heart, no ambition, no imagination, no fluidity and no passion. To manage not one effort on target on against, let’s get this right, a distinctly average Wigan side is borderline embarrassing, not to mention the fact the pitch had been re-laid.

Despite all of this Liverpool could have nicked at least a point (if not all three) had Fernando Torres found his shooting boots. However, if Liverpool had taken anything from this game it would have masked the genuine failings of this team.

The spirited performances of Javier Mascherano and Sotiris Kyriakos have to be mentioned, along with Pepe Reina - but that goes without saying. But too many top players disappointed and went missing, and that includes the influential skipper. I have never seen Steven Gerrard give away so many passes in one game. Dirk Kuyt another, his mishap for the goal was painful to say the least.

Last night added further weight to the argument that Emiliano Insua needs to be replaced at left back, Fabio Aurelio is injured and there is no other first team left back in the squad but a genuine defender is desperately required, Daniel Agger maybe?

The lad has been run ragged by virtually every right sided midfield player in the league. Hell, he even made Jobi McAnuff look like Cristiano Ronaldo. I have stood by Insua in the past, the guy is still young and showed much promise prior to this season but it makes you wonder how many poor performances warrant being dropped.

In reality, how many wake up calls do this side need? Seriously, enough of all the talk of ‘we will turn things round’ and ‘we have turned a corner’, time to put up or shut up. On this evidence Liverpool won’t finish in the top four and more importantly, don’t deserve to.

Liverpool still have time on their side and a favourable set of fixtures compared to their Champions League rivals but something has to radically change between now and Thursday night, this side does not lack ability and it’s about time the player’s started showing it.

Liverpool's Lucas Leiva has recieved much criticism from many areas of the media this season, with some claiming the 23-year-old Brazilian is not good enough. According to the latest Opta stats from the Premier League, the facts tell a different story.

Lucas is among the best tackler's and passer's in the division (only John Terry of Chelsea has a better pass accuracy), it may come as a surprise to many but not to the majority of Liverpool fans who watch him week in, week out.

People often pose the question; What would you rather see, England win the World Cup or Liverpool win the Premier League?

Without hesitation I would go for Liverpool everytime. Over the last few years my interest in the English national team has dwindled to the point whereby I no longer see myself as an 'England supporter'.

That is not to say I was never intrested in the international game, one of my earliest football memories as a kid was watching Michael Owen score that goal against Argentina in the World Cup. But the ever increasing rivalies of domestic football have made it impossible for me to back my national side.

Why should I cheer on Rooney, Terry, Ferdinand, Lampard and co. when I just plainly don't like them? I was at Anfield this season for Liverpool's game against Manchester United, I was a part of the Kop that poured abuse at ex-evertonian Wayne Rooney. I find it hypocritical in the extreme to then start supporting him and chanting his name when he pulls on the England shirt.

Liverpool's bad relationship between rival clubs such as Manchester United, Chelsea and Everton just makes it impossible for me to get behind this England team. When I do watch England play I just pray that whatever Liverpool players are participating don't pick up any injuries. The club game has become so dominant and fierce over the last few years that it has become so much more precious to watch your team win a big game in the Premier League or Europe.

When England failed to qualify for Euro2008 I wasn't the slightest concerned, in fact I was almost pleased I wouldn't be hearing the relentless and cheesy England tournament songs and watching Sky Sports News debate England's chances for 24 hours a day.

In addition to club rivalry, I also detest England 'fans'. I guess some of them must be OK, but the actions of many are ludicrous. I swear the majority of the England squad has been booed at one point or another. Lampard, Bentley, Terry, Hargreaves and Crouch have all been victims at one stage or another.

Supporting and watching Liverpool at Anfield has always taught me a tradition of 'getting behind' your team, whether that be during good or bad times. With England this is simply not the case and I wouldn't want to be a part of such a moronic cult that decides to slate their team and players whenever things may not be going to plan.

It's safe to say I will be watching the World Cup, and probably all of the games, because I love football, but one thing I won't be doing this summer is 'supporting' England.

Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Manchester City and Newcastle United.

Just a few of the clubs who have resorted to the new freebie-scarf generated atmosphere.In what seems a desperate attempt by team officials to create jovial scenes at football matches, it appears more and more clubs deem it appropriate to hand out free complimentary scarves (or flags) in order to ‘gee-up’ the home support.It‘s a shame that teams have had to resort to such measures. Yes, atmosphere at football grounds aren’t what they used to be, but why are clubs handing out freebies for such big occasions?

Surely supporters don’t need any greater incentive than to get behind their team for games against local rivals or cup semi-finals? I guess part of the idea is to make the stadium look ‘nice and pretty’, but whatever happened to the user-generated atmosphere that dominated the sport in the past? The sight of the Chelsea flag-waving of 2008 was cringe and I defy any football supporter to claim that it didn’t look like shit (refer to picture).

Chelsea, the trend setters in the freebie market, first used the chequered flags in their Champions League semi-final with Liverpool. It was the third semi-final between the two clubs in four years and the first time the second leg had been played at Stamford Bridge. It can only be assumed it was a response to the atmosphere Chelsea had twice crumbled to at Anfield in 2005 and 2007 respectively. The result of Chelsea’s antics was a catalyst for other clubs to delve into the freebie market.

It marks a sad time for football when clubs need to issue out complimentary scarves or flags in order to generate an atmosphere, but unfortunately I can only see the list of clubs following the trend expanding.