Anfield Red

Why are Liverpool struggling to get going in the league, when our squad is meant to be stronger than last season?

We have only won 3 out of 8 games in the league, leaving us Eight points behind Manchester United and Chelsea already.

Last season we started badly, but picked up and then went on that unbeaten run, stretching over 10 games where no one could beat us no matter what. What has changed since then?

Liverpool made quite a few signings, bringing in Kuyt, Bellamy, Gonzalez, Pennant, Aurelio and Paletta, but lost the likes of Traore, Cisse, Morientes, Mellor and Sinama Pongolle to name a few; but the most notable was the departure of Didi Hamann, who had been excellent in the centre of midfield for the reds.

Liverpool broke the record last season for the most points for a third place finish (82), and it looked like we had turned a corner and turned ourselves into title contenders, yet now it looks like we are back to square one. We are still lacking a major goalscorer, last season it was Gerrard but he has not scored yet, and our strikers have been rotated too many times for any of them to get a decent run in the team to string some goals together.

Where will our goals come from? Crouch seems to be dropped to the bench quite often, despite his goalscoring for fun for England, and his amazing goal against Galatasary, but with Kuyt now out injured, perhaps he can get a run in the team.

Liverpool kept 30 clean sheets last season, how have we gone so downhill? the back four has not changed that much? we still have Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia and Riise as the back four, with sometimes Agger and Aurelio stepping in at left back, we have the same keeper and pretty much the same midfield despite the signings, so how are we letting in goals left right and centre?

Something needs to change and fast, otherwise this will be another "Could have been" season for the reds. Everyone complained when we finished thirty points behind Chelsea, we are already 8 behind , and unless we start by beating the Mancs at the weekend, we may have to settle for 3rd, 4th or perhaps even 5th again.

Liverpool Manager Rafael Benitez insists his squad still have the desire to win in Europe.

Liverpool won the Champions league for a 5th time, after coming from 3 goals down at half time to beat AC Milan in the 2005 final, but Rafa insists that now that his team has already conquered Europe they are still determined to do it again.

"I think the players still have the hunger to win the Champions League, The staff wants to win, the supporters want to win, the club wants to win and all the players want to win.

"We have some new faces and they want to win trophies. I don't think this is a problem. We need to raise our standards. We are playing well for 30-45 minutes but we are not consistent over 90 minutes"

Speaking about tonight's game against Bordeaux, Rafa said "When you are top of the group, it is really important to be solid in defence and especially when playing away.

"Bordeaux know they need to win, because it will be almost the end if they don't. They must go forward and attack, so we must be solid in defence.

"Away in the Champions League is normally a tough game, especially against a team that needs to win.

"The meeting we had at the weekend was to remind the players it is a long race and to keep going. I am happy with the work-rate and commitment of the players. We just need to score more from the chances that we have and be tighter at the back."

Luis Garcia has spoke of his desire to win a new contract at Anfield.

Since signing in 2004, Luis Garcia has been a vital part of the team, scoring in the big games, especially in Europe and against Chelsea, but has had more of a back seat role this season, spending most of his time on the bench.

Luis Garcia currently has a contract until 2009 but is looking to get a new deal beyond then, and hopes he can play his way back into the manager's good books this evening.

"It is important that I regain the confidence of Rafa Benitez, I have not played as many matches this season, so I need to remind him of why he brought me to Liverpool.

"I will never cheat on Rafa Benitez. Every time I play for him I will do my best to play well and either make or score goals for the team.

"I'm happy at the club so whenever the club wants to speak to me about a new contract I will be pleased to talk. I am sure that if I do well this season on the pitch that Liverpool will offer me a new, improved contract."

Xabi Alonso says he is looking forward to seeing Champions League hero Vladimir Smicer again.

Smicer hit Liverpool's second goal in the famous Champions League final, but has since left Anfield for Bordeaux; who the reds face tonight.

Speaking about the reunion of goalscorers, Alonso said "I am looking forward to seeing Vladi again and I will always remember him as being a very good team-mate,"

"He was really funny and he is a really good player who did really important things for this club. He was always smiling and despite him being injured for a long time he always had a great attitude and he brought a smile to the changing room. He is a really nice guy.

"Of course when the game starts all we will be thinking about is trying to win the game. It's always difficult when you play away from home in the Champions League but we see it as a really good chance for us to make the gap even bigger in the group. We are looking forward to it and hope we can get a good result."

Bolo Zenden believes Liverpool can still win tonight's game against Bordeaux, despite the fact they will be missing captain Steven Gerrard.

Zenden could figure in midfield this evening, after Gerrard was ruled out and Sissoko is still not at 100%, but is still positive the reds can pick up three points.

"Steven Gerrard is not here, there is nothing we can do about that," he said. "We have players who can step into his roles whether it is in the centre of midfield or on the right, he has played both this season. <* /> <* />"But I have no doubt we have the quality in the squad to come in, if it is me then I am ready. <* />

<* />"Bordeaux have struggled a bit in their league this season, but they had a good win over Monaco at the weekend and that will give them confidence. <* /> <* />"As far as this group goes, this is a very important match. Bordeaux need a result after the way they have started. This is a difficult group with teams very strong at home, so the pressure is on Bordeaux to go for a victory. <* /> <* />"That may work for us because if they select an attacking system it could give us space to hit back on the break, and we also want to win to keep ourselves at the top of the group. <* /> <* />"So far I believe we have done a good job in this group, but there is a long way to go even if we are confident we can do the job." <* />

Rafa Benitez says Liverpool can look to Jamie Carragher to inspire them to victory this evening.

The Liverpool boss says Carra has been off form recently, but he is to stand in as captain for the absent Steven Gerrard tonight.

Carragher has been criticised since the Merseyside Derby, where Liverpool lost 3-0, but has since regained his form and leadership skills that Benitez is hoping he can inspire the rest of the team.

"We will look to Carra to give the team the character we need to show in the Champions League,"

"He's not hiding and he knows he needs to improve. You need players in your squad who can analyse themselves and see they need to improve.

"He played really, really well for the last two seasons and needs to get to that level again. It's easy to talk about excuses but it's important for someone to take a step forward and Carra is a good example for the rest of the team.

"After the Everton game, he was much better and in the last two games he has improved.

"You can't blame one person when a goal is conceded and we need to improve defensively as a whole team. Because of the internationals he can't be one hundred per cent fit yet and, little by little, he is getting better, just like Xabi Alonso, Sami Hyypia, John Arne Riise and Steve Finnan.

Liverpool will be without Captain Steven Gerrard for the Champions League match against Bordeaux.

Gerrard picked up a hamstring injury in the draw with Blackburn, and has failed to shake in injury off.

He has not travelled with the rest of the squad to France, instead he has been rested in the hope he will be fit for the Manchester United game this week.

Gerrard was due to make his 350th appearance for the reds

Speaking about Gerrard’s injury, Boss Rafa Benitez said “Steven felt something in his hamstring after the Blackburn game and he is still feeling it.

“We have spoken with the doctor and decided it’s not worth taking a risk with him and so he won’t be involved in Bordeaux. If this was the last game of the season and he needed to play then he could, but at this moment we think it’s too big a risk.

“I think it’s just a matter of an extra couple of days and then he will be fine.”

Rotation has been on everyone's lips recently; lets take a look on a fans opinion of it.

Rafa's Rotation

Rafa Benitez says Liverpool's best players have to be at the top of their game to make the season a success.

Liverpool have had mixed fortunes in the league, playing 8; winning 3, drawing 2 and losing 3 games, but Rafa thinks that everyone will have to step up a level to build on last season.

Rafa said:

It's clear some of our more established players need to be at the top of their game. I said I thought it would be November before we were at our best because of a number of reasons.

"If you look at our formation for the game, we had the same back four, with Xabi in front of the defence, that has done so well for us last season.

"We had the same players there, but we need to get the balance right when we are attacking because, like the Galatasaray game, we were vulnerable to counter-attacks.

"Saturday was disappointing again, but for 30 minutes of the second half we played much better football, we attacked well and the crowd was really behind us. The problem is we are only playing like this for 30 minutes now when we know we must do this for 90. But there were positives from the weekend" Added the Spaniard

Liverpool could face competition from Newcastle United, if they go back in for Lucas Neill of Blackburn in January.

Liverpool nearly signed the Australian at the end of the transfer window, but decided against a move after Rovers wanted Warnock as part of the deal; which the reds were not prepared to do.

Neill has said this season will be his last at Ewood Park, and is looking to move on, but according to the Daily Mirror Newcastle are now after the defender and could be ready to bid £5million for him.