WRITES: JOHN ALDRIDGE
The return to fitness of Glen Johnson is a big boost for Liverpool and I'd like to see him straight back in the starting line up for Saturday's trip to Newcastle United.
Johnson is a real threat when he goes forward and that right wing-back role is made for him.
Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling have played there while Johnson was out with an ankle injury but neither are as well suited to that position. Liverpool will be significantly strengthened by Johnson's comeback.
Joe Allen is also fit again but unlike Johnson I think the Welshman may have to be patient.
I know he gets some stick but I rate Allen. He started last season really well and then was hampered by injuries.
Allen is neat and tidy and uses the ball intelligently. But I just wonder where he fits into this formation?
What he's good at is being a link player between the defence and the attack. But Lucas Leiva and Steven Gerrard have been playing in those two deeper midfield roles.
Henderson also did very well there when Lucas was suspended for the Crystal Palace game.Allen isn't a goal scorer so I can't see him playing as the advanced central midfielder. The challenge facing him is to carve out a role for himself.
In the meantime he's going to be a good squad player for us. With Allen and Johnson back and Philippe Coutinho not far away, our bench will be looking very strong and the manager will have decent options.
Newcastle will be relieved that they don't have to face Coutinho on Saturday. The Brazilian tormented them in the 6-0 win at St James' Park back in April.
I can't see this trip to the North East being as straightforward as that one. Newcastle will have got some confidence back with their 2-1 win at Cardiff before the internationals.
Striker Loic Remy has scored five goals already this season. A lot of teams turned their back on him because of his baggage but when he wants to play he's a proper player.
At home Newcastle have struggled and I think that's to do with the fans' expectations. The crowd tend to jump on them very quickly if things aren't going well during games.
We need to make the most of that by starting brightly and putting Newcastle under pressure early on.
We've got some really tough games coming up before the end of the year but Newcastle away is one of the more winnable fixtures.
We haven't peaked in terms of performances yet. We need to see more consistency in our play but the players are working their socks off.
If we keep winning without playing well then it's happy days but somewhere along the line we need it to click if we're going to stay inside the top four.
I'm nursing some bruised ribs after playing for Liverpool Legends at Chester on Sunday.
It was great to line up alongside the likes of John Barnes, Jan Molby, Phil Neal and Alan Kennedy but I've paid a price for it.
I scored two penalties but we were beaten by a combination of Everton old boys and soap stars - they had youth on their side!
The most important thing was that we had a few thousand there watching and raised cash for the Once Upon a Smile charity.
Source: Liverpool Echo
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