The vehicle of Liverpool F.C. has gone along the local roads without ever breaking up so far. The journey has been perfect-shy though, a few uneasy voices can be heard, a couple of scratches can be seen which are uneasy and visible even by those with red-tinted glasses. Last year, this vehicle found it difficult turning corners and waited till December for the first corner to be properly turned without breaking up on the way or the very least getting scratched by the walls of either side. This time round, the very first corner was turned with a technique that befits any experienced driver. Through the following three corners, it repeated the technique two times out of three. Having turned rather difficult and at times blind-eye corners, the familiar straight roads were expected to be driven through with confidence, panache and with a bigger engine than last year’s, it was expected to hum nicely and crisp enough, sounding like music to any motor enthusiast. But inexplicably the straight, familiar roads have been dealt awkwardly, even though having sympathisers waving and cheering from both sides of the road.

Yesterday, the Spurs match summed up for me the other seven matches so far in the Premiership. The emotions were as strange, a last minute goal from Fernando Torres failing to bring elation. And after the final whistle, the Spaniard was shaking the under-fire Martin Jol’s hand, more in a sheepishly way than in a bullish mood.
‘Sorry mate, I don’t really know what to make of it all’.

Good at times, pretty good at other times, dodgy in some moments, the engine kept revving up after a very timely intervention before the whole thing died. An early goal usually settles the nerves, what the forwards earn, the defenders do not squander very easily. Yesterday though, Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov were mistaken for Santa Clauses, Sami Hyypia undone the purse strings, Jamie Carragher got a tenner out of it and Pepe Reina handed it over the counter.

At the other end, Andriy Voronin opened the score through a tap-in after a Steven Gerrard free-kick which beat the wall. Paul Robinson only saved partially and the Ukrainian’s positioning and instinct made it all easy for him to stab the ball home. It wasn’t the only contribution by Voronin though. Far from it, he was everywhere and won my personal man of the match award. At one particular time he even took over the centre-back’s role and slid to avert any danger. He showed a great understanding with the other scorer Torres and showed his altruism by feeding Gerrard in the penalty area. He had every right to have a go himself, but being rather angled and sensing his captain in a better position he chose to pass.

Steven Gerrard’s yesterday performance was another epitome of Liverpool’s and his season so far. Pushing forward with guile, winning free-kicks, taking charge of set-pieces, paves the way for the first goal, gets dead unlucky in the next one, as he beats the wall, the keeper but not the post. At other times, not being clinical enough after a Voronin pass with the goal at his mercy, he shoots at the lad on the floor. Other parts of the game he went missing, his drive and captain’s leadership qualities conspicuously absent.

Eight games to the good and with an international break to give Rafa more time to himself and Jermaine Pennant, the story so far is grey but not in a murky way. Liverpool are still unbeaten, but have failed to win more than two consecutive games, having drawn as many as they have won. They are six points behind the leaders Arsenal, but with an encounter and chance in three weeks time to directly address this deficit before it’s too late.