Liverpool FanZoner Rich Garnett ponders Steven Gerrard's best position, praises Adam Lallana and doubts Simon Mignolet's long-term future.
There had been some talk on route to Anfield last Saturday, no doubt heightened by Liverpool's dubious backline, as to whether Steven Gerrard could complete his pitch dissent all the way to centre back.
The general consensus was that he has all the qualities to perform the role and in doing so, could further prolong his career and undoubted influence on Brendan Rodgers' side.
So of course, Gerrard answered this by finishing the 2-1 victory against West Bromwich Albion as high up the pitch as he has been in 12 months, looking as dangerous as ever.
Generally speaking, Gerrard is pretty much the most complete footballer of his generation. His deployment as a defensive central midfielder by Rodgers has earned mix reviews. His potency as an attacking force has never been in question.
With Gerrard in an advanced position, Liverpool came alive. The introduction of Mario Balotelli, who had looked lost at sea days earlier against a very average Basel side, showed promises of link-up play that has deserted the team since the enforced absence of Daniel Sturridge.
But what does that tell us? Is Gerrard playing in the wrong position? Or alarmingly, does Liverpool have a clutch of collectively expensive attacking options who can't execute their goals with the same simplicity as their veteran captain?
One thing is for certain. Until Joe Allen or Emre Can return to full fitness, Gerrard is unlikely to abandon his embryonic quarterback role any time soon.
Liverpool have made an indifferent start to the season, but they have most definitely not been aided by injuries to key players.
The loss of Sturridge threw the spotlight back on a far-from-settled back four who looked like they'd prefer the glare of the interrogation lamp to be elsewhere.
They are not helped by Simon Mignolet who cannot be instilling confidence in the bodies in front of him with his fragile command of the penalty area.
Rodgers is trying to work himself into a situation where he has two first-teamers for every position, but this is not the case between the sticks at present.
Talk of Victor Valdes coming to Anfield is not exactly inspiring, but he would at least bring a wealth of experience, a winning habit and most importantly, put Mignolet under the kind of pressure required to be the first name on the team sheet.
Being a good shot stopper is not enough. Every Premier League goalkeeper should be that as a minimum.
It is too early to make informed judgements on Rodgers' summer signings, but one player definitely on the right track is Adam Lallana, who's industry was rewarded with his first goal for the club on Saturday.
It was unfortunate that the former Southampton star started the season injured and there is no doubt that he looked well off the pace when he eventually appeared in red shirt for real.
But with games now under his belt, Lallana is showing the touch and speed of thought Liverpool were prepared to pay big money for, not to mention the work rate expected from a present-day Liverpool player.
The international break will be greeted with groans by most Premier League clubs, but on this occasion - unlike the last - it might do Liverpool a favour.
Sturridge, Allen and Glen Johnson should all be fit when the league schedule resumes, bringing a wealth of new options to Rodgers as he attempts to get Liverpool's campaign upwardly mobile.
Where his captain is deployed against Queens Park Rangers might offer some insight into how much confidence he has in his midfield architects right now.
It won't be at centre back.
By Liverpool FanZoner Richard Garnett. Follow him on Twitter here, and don't forget you can follow @FanZone too!
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