As both teams took to the pitch on Saturday one thing was clear the quality of the away team’s bench, in stark contrast to Arsenal’s. Luis Suarez made what is sure to a rare start from the bench, where he was joined by Raul Meireles and Maxi who both ended last season on top form and will be chomping at the bit to get involved. On the other hand Arsenal had little proven Premier League experience to call upon and unless they spend big they will struggle to impose themselves over the course of the season.

With the reds realising they had a chance to finally put to bed their awful run in North London, the bewildered and crestfallen Arsene Wenger was keen to prove there is life after Cesc it was a tight opening.

The obvious turning point game when the hot headed Emmanuel Frimpong saw red for what was a crude challenge on the impressive Lucas Leiva. His long range effort was the brightest moment on his home debut which ended in disaster after spending much of the game getting up the noses of the opposition, and in the end lost his battle with the ever maturing Lucas.

With Wenger having to shuffle his ten men for a second week in a row, on came Suarez and Meireles and changed the game as Liverpool seized the initiative and landed a hammer blow on Arsenal’s season only in week two.

In his aerial battle with the wonderful Thomas Vermaelen, Andy Carroll ultimately lost out time and time again. Although he was unlucky to not register his first goal of the season, as Szczesny denied him midway through the first half with a great save.

For long periods of the game it looked like for all the visitors’ dominance and pressing, the game would end up goaless, but as Arsenal lost their cool Dalglish played his trump card.

The link up play between Meirless and Suarez was impressive and at times was mesmerising.  In their brief cameo they showed they were up for the fight and showed the quality in depth Dalglish has to pick from.

Down the left Stuart Downing and Jose Enrique were a constant threat and they both look as if they are going to play a huge part as the reds look to return to the Champions League and compete for a trophy.

I am not saying Liverpool will push for the title yet, in all honesty it will take time. As at it showed at times on Saturday the centre of defence needs tightening up, put simply Jamie Carragher turns 34 this season and cannot be expected to perform 110% week in week out. Daniel Agger has struggled to get through a full season since he arrived and I have my reservations about Martin Skrtel and let’s not start with Sotris Kyrgiakos.

Despite playing at centre half as he came through the ranks at Melwood it looks like Martin Kelly will be deployed mainly as a right back. We will see if the reds will look to add some steel into what now looks as the weak point of the squad as the transfer window comes to an end.

Talking of transfers what will happen to the likes of Alberto Aquilani, Maxi, Joe Cole and Jay Spearing? I would be keen to see Spearing head out on loan instead of playing a bit part and Bolton and Owen Coyle look like a perfect fit as he will be better for a full season at the highest level.

As for the others if they want to play for the shirt it can only be for the good of the team in the long haul, if they want out King Kenny will let them go as he proved with Torres. Competition for places is key if you are to challenge you only have to look at what Manchester United squads over the years to see so.

As for the next few weeks a cup tie at Exeter in midweek will allow for a number of fringe players to get minutes and unlike last year’s disaster to Northampton. The XI who will line up at St James’ park will be keen to impress and make inroads into the first team and they will make progress into the next round, a competition the reds will earmark as one they can and want to win.

With Suarez and co likely to be given the week off they will be fresh for the Bolton clash and will look to give the Anfield faithful their first three points of the season. An international week will follow and with Steven Gerrard’s impending return in time for the derby and the Manchester United game, reds fans can be rest assured things are looking up and can be quietly confident as the season goes on.

Keep up with my short and snappy views on all things football follow me on twitter @Niall_Owens

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