Two goals in the opening 12 minutes settled Liverpool fans’ nerves and when Dirk Kuyt scored two minutes into the second half the result was never in question. Liverpool are where we expect them to be: the Champions League knockout round. And we became the first English side to beat Marseilles at the Stade Vélodrome in European competition.

Were Liverpool that good or were Marseilles that bad? Liverpool simply played like a team and Marseilles didn’t. And for the first time in a very long time, we have two game-winning players: Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. If Harry Kewell can keep injuries at bay, we may very well have three.

I’m leaving for Dallas on Thursday and will get to watch the Liverpool vs. Manchester Utd. match with my old man on Sunday morning. Only a victory over our great rivals could top this reunion.