When asked once what visiting teams could expect from a trip to Liverpool, Bill Shankly?s reply was, as ever, to the point and destined for perpetuity. Put simply (and to paraphrase), he suggested that opponents expecting anything more than a comprehensive defeat followed by a nice cup of tea were on a hiding to nothing. The current vintage may have stuttered on travels near and far this season, but it seems that business as usual has been restored in the hospitality suite at Anfield. A least Messrs Roeder and Jol would have enjoyed their respective cuppas before the long trip home. Doubtless Jermaine Jenas was after something a little stronger altogether, though a clip around the ear courtesy of Edgar Davids may have been all he ended up with.

Battered and bruised after a humiliating derby and a luckless encounter with the champions, Liverpool may have been hoping that both Newcastle and Spurs would be practically sitting up and begging to be beaten given their indifferent form. And while they didn?t exactly roll over and play dead, both duly obliged in the end. Both managers may have been left cursing referees and missed sitters over their brews, but will have agreed on the quality that left them pointless. After all much of it came from one man that both clubs pursued enthusiastically but ultimately in vain ? a certain Mr. Kuyt, whose name is rapidly becoming a fixture in this column and doubtless several others too. Shortly before Liverpool captured the Dutchman, Roeder had voiced concerns over Kuyt?s pace. One can only surmise he knew the race to sign him was already lost.

Roeder may have muttered darkly again into his tealeaves when recalling Alonso?s virtuosity on Wednesday night, claiming bad luck on behalf of his keeper Harper. He may also have acknowledged in private, however, that it was the Spaniard?s vision and technical excellence that forced the unfortunate understudy to back pedal so calamitously in the first place. Meanwhile Alonso himself can reflect on another footballing hole-in-one to cherish, and one that puts him in elite company (with the exception of Nayim, perhaps). Few will have thought he could top his strike at Luton Town but while that effort bounced and bobbled on its merry way goalwards, this latest effort sailed sweetly over the flailing custodian concerned and bounced obligingly on the right side of the line ? just. Even the usually sober Mr. Benitez had to praise his number 14, though not before gently berating his failure to pass to a well-placed Gerrard, of course.

Meanwhile Mr. Jol had been fulsome indeed in his praise of Kuyt leading up to the match and, judging by his own sides? wayward finishing, more than a little envious of the Reds post-match. Rumours of a bid for Teddy Sheringham have surfaced and it wouldn?t have been a bad idea to play him yesterday, considering he was the last Spurs striker to find the net (twice) at Anfield and finish a winner - back in 1993. Jol?s idea of Kuyt as a 20/20 striker seems prophetic ? it?s not too hard to imagine twenty goals and twenty assists over the coming term from this man. His selfishness in front of goal is refreshing and his technique in controlling Garcia?s clever pass before kowting the ball past a helpless Robinson was a joy to behold. His debut strike against the Magpies was celebrated in the style of a man who never had any doubt he would score at some point, and then go and score plenty more to boot. Comparisons to Mark Hughes continue to abound ? and the former Feyenoord idol certainly seems to favour power over placement in his finishing.

Riise?s pneumatic left-foot struck again before the death to further light up the game in a style that had seemed unlikely given the opening forty-five minutes. Benitez had berated yet another early kick-off (it will be mid-October before the Reds kick-off at a civilised three o?clock of a Saturday afternoon for the first time this season) and in truth the 44,330 in attendance could have given themselves the extra hour or so in bed and turned up at about quarter to two without having missed much at all. The returning Danny Murphy (Spud to us) was neat and efficient in midfield, and despite some sharp approach play from the home side not a shot landed on target ? although the visitor?s woodwork was duly struck according to recent custom, albeit courtesy of Chimbonda.

The few moments of true quality came from defenders eager to impress on their respective returns ? Hyppia from exile forced by Agger?s continuing good form, and Tottenham?s King continuing his comeback. The giant Finn was eager to remind manager, fans and opponents alike that he?s not disappearing anywhere in a hurry just yet and he did so with such force that the appearance of his name in Mr Webb?s book was inevitable. King?s impeccable challenge on Bellamy was only marginally overshadowed by his preceding handball, and he continued to excel along with Dawson in the second half. There was little else to cheer, with only a fetching new tie sported by Rafa illuminating a colourless first half.

Liverpool?s increased endeavour was to bring its just rewards, but not before Jenas wasted Davids? efforts on the left. After their fits and starts on the road, the benefits of a large summer outlay now seem to be evident. In all, eight of Liverpool?s current playing staff were not to be found at the club this time last year and all are competing for a first team berth. It?s all too easy to forget that the club is still in the process of assimilating its biggest single intake of new players since Gerard Houllier took sole charge in 1998, some three hundred and eighty-odd appearances ago for one of his first signings - Sami Hyypia. And who said Houllier had a bad transfer record?

Gonzalez shows no sign of needing to adjust to life in the Premiership, so much so that one wonders where he was at Goodison Park and Stamford Bridge. Bellamy may well still be asking himself how he contrived to hit a post in the build-up to Gonzalez? opener but goals will come. The overwhelming impression is of a player you would rather have playing for you than against you. And such now is the depth of the squad that a player of Garcia?s quality and intuition can come from the bench late on to make vital assists.

It remains to be seen how the Reds fare back out on the road, but opening away fixtures haven?t exactly been kind and there?s little reason to suggest that recent home form can?t be continued outside of Anfield. With three clean sheets out of four it seems those on defensive duties are all singing from the same song sheet again, sending confidence surging back through the ranks. And while they can expect sterner challenges to come on their travels, back at Anfield the tea ladies can put the kettle on.

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