Liverpool v. Derby -- No Gerrard. No Carragher. No matter. Pool demolished poor Derby, 6-0. Derby looked feisty if outclassed for the first twenty minutes...then they got their butts handed to them. Wow. The Dallas Chapter of the Liverpool Supporters Club was going crazy this morning at Trinity Hall (Big D's best soccer bar). Torres has looked great so far: he muscles defenders off the ball, outruns them, and beats them with skill. Attaboy, Nino!

With the international break coming up, I hope that (a) Liverpool can keep its momentum and (b) Gerrard doesn't further injure himself attempting to rescue England. Lampard is injured, meaning Gerrard will be able to fully express himself in England's midfield -- which is exactly what they need. That's not great for the Scousers, because it means the Captain's fractured toe will not get the rest it needs. Benitez is trying every jedi mind trick he can on McClown ("Obviously Gerrard cannot play for England if playing would require a painkilling injection and our doctors predict that would be required"), but McClown needs Gerrard to save his job. So: Stevie, we know you'll play fiercely to save England, but please don't seriously aggravate the injury. This is Pool's year to win the Premiership.

FF

Pool crushes Toulouse 4-0 at Anfield. Game wasn't televised anywhere I could watch, so I read the minute by minute match reports, and it appears the Reds were dominant from bell to bell. These sorts of wins bring more relief than celebration, because they are expected, but little would have been more embarrassing than not qualifying for the CL at home a leg up.

Next up: Derby at Anfield. USMNT starlet Benny Feilhaber plays for Derby, and it'd be nice to see him play. He's also experienced at getting crushed by superior sides, so the trip to Anfield won't be too traumatizing for him.

FF