Happy reunion!

And it was a very happy reunion for Liverpool and our one time coach Roy Hodgson. When the team news broke, it was startling for the fact that the two born and bred scousers in Carragher and Gerrard were both ruled out, one from a knock, and Captain Marvel from yet another infection. Stevie, eat your veggies! Your immune system is weak!

Any lingering fears of the duo being missed were quickly placed to rest as Suarez fumbled a goal scoring pass in the early minutes. All the new boys played, from Enrique ever present at left back, to Henderson, Adam and Downing in midfield , to be topped up by our favorite Geordie in front.

The first goal was decided by the linesman, who judged that Suarez was manhandled in the box. A litany of complaints (during and after the game) rained down from the Hawthorns - even as Suarez immediately got up to chase after the wayward ball. So much for diving. Adam took the penalty easily and it was 1-0 to the Pool.

Liverpool controlled the game as pass and move proved to be better than the rigid two banks of fours. At the tail end of the 2nd half, a glorious pass from Lucas found Suarez, who passed it into the path of Caroll, who managed to poke it pass Foster.

This new partnership showed further signs of encouragement as Suarez provided telling passes to Caroll, whom tried to hold up the ball and hit ferocious shots at Foster's goal. The final attack by Liverpool was denied by Mr. Goal Post, for the 10th time this season. Either our boys can't shoot, or are unlucky...

If anything was to be missed from Gerrard's presence it was on field leadership. He normally decides who takes freekicks and once he was away, there was more than one occasion of "bickering" over who takes kicks. Get well soon Stevie!

All in, it was a good day out. Am looking forward to another good day versus Swansea - 3 points are a must.

Currently Liverpool are 10 points ahead of where we were last season. The next two games loom menacingly with Chelsea away, Citeh at home, and Chelsea away. In present form, I think Chelsea's for the taking, especially if they maintain that insanely high line of defence. Citeh at home is a scary proposition , I reckon a Rafa-like approach to strangle their midfield is needed.

On the Fantasy Football premier league front, I did well on Week 10 scoring a very respectable 36.3 points. Aguero , Enrique and Terry all delivered for me. Currently my team is filled with players from the top 6. Value wise it's a +3.5 million team, as looses were cut on expensive flops like Cech and Cahill. I retained players whose values have increased steadily and am hopping that the 'good' Mario shows up more than the deranged Mario.