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Very true that. Rafa's methods are very much about goals from anywhere (and Gerrard has 18 already) and I thought he wouldn't particularly want an Owen or a Van Nistelrooy type - someone who demands the service of the entire team. But we've been so wasteful in front of goal...we would be up there with Chelsea had we been converting more of our chances.

Crouch, Morientes, Cisse...all seem to be coming in for some stick. Yet all strikers go through hot and cold patches. Hmmm.

Owen would surely know that his star has fallen below Gerrard's. It all depends on how much another top club would pay him though.

Fletcher and O'Shea? Did they grow up around Manchester or summat?

Problem is that he hasn't been on top form for about five years. But, yeah, he has the potential.

I'm struggling to think of anyone. For me, Carra is the best defender in the world. I wouldn't swap him for anyone. Same goes with Finnan. Would you swap?

It has happened before with Fowler. It's not a problem as long as the adulation is proportionate to the performance. If Robbie lives up to the expectations then there's no issue. I just don't want this to turn into a problem for Rafa. Nowt wrong with that.

It doesn't really matter what Robbie thinks (although his autobiog makes me worry a bit that he knows how to use his peerless popularity). It's the possible reaction of the fans that's one worry (among several). "It's not like the strikers are going to fall to their knees in disappointment if it starts." Hmmm. It's not like Crouch is super-confident (although Liverpool fans have generally treated him very well). But the daggers are already out for Cisse, Morientes, and to a lesser extent Pongo. We are in serious danger of re-running the whole Heskey-Fowler debate. It was pointless and damaging then: it will be again if it happens again. Unless, of course, Robbie - and the fans - take Rafa's medicine and accept a meritocracy.

Nice question! Domestically: Reina, Carra, Finnan, Gerrard, Alonso. Globally: Gerrard, Finnan, Carra. I'd like to add... Potential domestically: Kewell, Riise, Morientes, Crouch, Sissoko, Fowler Potential globally: Alonso, Sissoko

What if the fans love a player a bit too much though? That's the point. It's not hard to see why over-mighty players are potentially damaging to a team. And it's not hard to imagine a controversy in July. I can hear the gnashing of teeth already if, say, he has an OKish six months but Rafa decides he wants to let the chosen one go and take up the offer of Michael Owen at £12m. Equally, it's not hard to see him doing a great job and getting the contract extension. I'm agnostic on the issue: if he does well, I'll cherish him like any other good player. If he doesn't, thanks and goodbye - for the last time. But he incites religious fervour among some ('God' is an apt name) and it could get messy, again.

Hold your horses. He's on a six-month contract. By July he might have secured a reputation for nothing more than has-been-ness. Last time I checked we were Liverpool FC, not Robbie Fowler and His Fanclub FC. Passion and success define our club and if Fowler doesn't score goals he'll be gone whether you sentimentalists like it or not - because in the end Rafa is here to win, pure and simple. In other words, Rafa is a 'football-by-numbers' type - and thank f*** for that.

I still don't want him. f*** that, welcome back Robbie! Just keep your s*** together this time...Rafa won't think twice of shifting your lazy ass to Barnsley if you muck him about.

I would be very surprised if Rafa went for Fowler. You only have to read Fowler's biography to see that he has attitude problems. Rafa likes professionals, as did Houllier, as do most modern managers.

Whether we win, lose, or draw is down to the day itself - anything can happen. "Freak games" is right. But it feels good knowing that for the first time in years we can confidently state that we are the better team - and the league position at the end of the season will show that.

Top work on the compilation. Best goal...Gerrard against Newcastle.

f*** me, if we get the Harry Kewell back that did so well in that Leeds team...he was a world-beater. Beginning to think it might happen too.

I've always been of the belief that he should be played at LM unless the opposing team is weak on the right. I don't think he has the natural ability to be a LB. You can see this, I think, in the games where he has a stinker at LB - it's like he has nothing to instinctively fall back on when things aren't going well. But then I look at our defensive record with him at LB and think I must be wrong. I'm certainly more confident with him there than I was under Houllier. I think Rafa has improved him no end. He's no Finnan though.

Owen is still a great striker. He just made a s*** decision in leaving us. Real didn't utilise him as they should've, and Newcastle are just a toss team. But even from the subs bench he scored at a f***ing good rate for Real, and injuries aside he's put them in the net for the Geordies. Don't doubt the lad's quality! The only question that matters is: does Rafa want him at a price we can afford? In the summer the price was wrong, but I find it hard to believe we were only playing at being interested. This summer, however, price might not be the issue. But not because Owen is likely to be available for far less than £17m, rather that Rafa might look at his team and think Owen doesn't fit any more - at any price.

Very true that. We've sold good players for peanuts for far too long (although I imagine alot is due to high wages).

If what he is saying about us wanting £3m for him is true then he's kinda got a point. He's a been a good servant of this club, and deserves his move away if there's no place for him. Anyone else get the feeling that Rafa's a hard b*****d when he needs to be? (That's a good thing.)

An OOT's perspective. In order of dislike: 1. Man U 2. Everton 3. Don't really give a f***, although Chelsea are temporarily insufferable. And Spurs are always annoying. And Bolton are tossers at the moment too. My brother (RIP) was an Everton fan and we had some taunting going on there, so I tend to think of them more as rivals than enemies. But then some of their fans/players/managers are just c***s, so it's hard to say sometimes. I always look for the Man U result before Everton's, if that's any indication.

Yes, they should consistently not get a medal. Two wrongs don't make a right and all that.

Does any twenty-something millionaire sports star really deserve an honour? True legends of the game who've made long-lasting contributions to the nation do, but personally I'd put more stock in the whole honours thing if it did less honouring of the super-wealthy (whether business or sport) and more of the real heroes out there. Makes me sick that we massage the ego of a ponce like Beckham (or that badger-haired twerp from the cricket team), and I sincerely hope none of our players are seriously miffed at missing out. The last f***ing thing footballers in this country need is something else to detach them from reality.

s*** hot before then, according to a Saints fan I know. We is cursed.

Isn't Crouch meant to be good at penalties?