He ran the whole length of the pitch again. This time not to celebrate and lift David Ngog high, but to simply remonstrate to the man in black that he has actually yellow carded the wrong lad. The one who committed the offence had just been booked minutes before and thus a red card had to follow. Pepe Reina is looking the more as a leader. During the first forty-five minutes he was pivotal to keep the score-line level. In a way, it is demeaning that with Wolves calling at Anfield I am here typing the merits of the goalkeeper, but such is the state of things at Anfield. Shortly afterwards though it was the man with the armband that rose to the occasion, metaphorically and literally.

Emiliano Insua did well to lose his man and deliver a good cross from the left-hand side of the pitch. Surrounded by two defenders in gold though it was Steven Gerrard that wanted it all the more and showed his primitive instincts as between them both he connected with the ball and thumped home. Gerrard rose to the occasion in more than one way. He was seriously off-form and at times rather than stepping above his mates, he was getting carried away by the mediocrity current that was engulfing the men in red. Not yesterday though. He looked to decide to get back to his basics, and with that he flirted dangerously with the referee’s book. Like when still a young scally he slided on the pitch, and more than once he caught somebody’s legs. Nothing malicious, but simple hunger. The cause justified the means. In such circumstances, we had not to simply accept but admire. After all even a reverend justified shoplifting by the needy.

The first forty-five minutes were an example of agitation. Passes went astray, Fernando Torres couldn’t get anything right. As poor his service was, at times he simply miscued and looked to be in need of chalk. Alberto Aquilani finally started. He looks composed, he’s got elegant touches, and as a Roman he seems to be coming more from the Sistine Chapel rather than the Colliseum. Back-heels look to be his bread and butter and he seems to have been sharing it often with his captain, he used it a couple of times yesterday.

Gerrard brought relief, shortly afterwards Yossi brought relaxation as he shot home again to cap another satisfactory personal display. This was very much needed but this is more of a resolution to get things done rather than the actual deed.