Great Success...Not So Much For Europe's Big Boys

Eh?!

Barcelona 1 Rubin Kazan 2

Liverpool 1 Lyon 2

Rangers 1 Unirea Urziceni 4

What's going on with the world?!

It is quite simply the beauty of the modern game.

Game Week 4: What I've Learnt...

Arsenal - Nothing to worry about. Continue to play the way they have been and they will be genuine title contenders. Arshavin to assume role of key player alongside Fabregas. Eboue a disgrace with dive.

Aston Villa - Will look to Liverpool game throughout season as springboard and inspiration, Ashley Young must remain fit.

Birmingham City - Get Benitez to full fitness ASAP as he has shown strength and ability in his substitute appearances in the league.

Blackburn Rovers - Kalinic needs a goal to get up and running, proven goal scorer in Croatia but yet to net in England.

Bolton Wanderers - Combined aerial threat of Davies and Elmander looks promising.

Burnley - Will be needing to thank goalkeeper Jensen a lot more this season.

Chelsea - Complete domination, continue current form and they will certainly be champions. Perfect balance in squad.

Everton - No real creative threat without Arteta, lucky to grab win against a poor Wigan side.

Fulham - Looked exhausted from their European exertions. Greening strangely looks out of his depth.

Hull City - Possibly look to Altidore to start and provide goals, Folan and Fagan don't have it at this level.

Liverpool - Appauling attitude from Lucas, expect him to be kicked off the pitch by next opposition.

Manchester City - Promising start to the season, maintaining optimism could be key for team spirit. Adebayor and Barry continue to impress.

Manchester United - Uncharacteristic poor performance from Carrick, Fletcher to step up and become main-stay in midfield.

Portsmouth - Piquonne not found feet quick enough, Dindane needs to do so before Pompey find themselves in real trouble. Cannot afford to sell anymore big name players before Tuesday, i.e. James and Krancjar.

Stoke City - Rough and tough approach clearly wins you games. Proving successful with Delap's long throws but have no Plan B.

Sunderland - Good to see Gordon back in goal, at £9 million he should be playing every game, quality 'keeper. Jones and Bent continue to torment and will do so against the big teams.

Tottenham Hotspur - Modric injured and will be sorely missed, perhaps a cheeky bid for City's Petrov is on the cards? Crouch provides brilliant impact with chances and goals.

West Ham - More attack power needed, Diamanti to find feet quickly in England to aid Hammer's cause.

Wigan Athletic - Morale high after beating Villa away on the opening day. Morale low after being battered by Blackpool mid-week, Martinez needs to pick up fast beforeresults hit a slippery slope.

Wolves - Need to get Ebanks-Blake fit to provide further goal threat. Doyle and Keogh look nervous at this level.

Game Week 2: What I've Learnt...

Well, from who played anyway. Other teams are involved in European fixtures this week.

Birmingham City - Home form crucial to Premier League hopes.

Burnley - Brian Jensen will be just as important to their fortunes as the goals they score.

Chelsea - Deco may prove integral in 4-4-2 diamond formation, Essien to play defensive.

Hull City - Start with Geovanni, main creative threat.

Liverpool - Have faith in youth, don't panic buy, i.e. Kyrgiakos.

Manchester United - Expect to delve into transfer market for big name player.

Portsmouth - Favourites for relegation.

Stoke City - As before, Delap - throw - goal won't win you every game, especially away at Anfield.

Sunderland - Bent important, don't take the foot off the gas when ahead against bigger teams. Cana and Cattermole would be missed.

Tottenham Hotspur - Defoe to have biggest season yet, with club and country.

Wigan Athletic - Flying (too) high after result at Villa Park.

Wolves - Milijas just as important as Ebanks-Blake and Kightly, impressive first two games for the Serb.

Game Week 1: What I've Learnt...

Arsenal - Still need a strong defensive midfielder.

Aston Villa - Delph will struggle to fill Barry's shoes.

Birmingham City - Benitez looks exciting when fully fit.

Blackburn Rovers - Need to get Kalinic fit to start making up for Santa Cruz's goals (McCarthy and Roberts are past it).

Bolton Wanderers - Front three needs rejuventation.

Burnley - Can Graham Alexander keep pace with the Premier League?

Chelsea - Avoid injuries to Terry, Lampard and Drogba.

Everton - Let Lescott go, he doesn't want to be there.

Fulham - Zamora needs to be scoring on more consistent basis as opposed to relying on everyone else to.

Hull City - Don't panic buy because most other players turned you down.

Liverpool - Don't start with Lucas.

Manchester City - Gareth Barry is the key to City's success.

Manchester United - Lack excitement without Ronaldo, Rooney to try and make up for it.

Portsmouth - Loan signing Piquonne needs to find his feet fast or Pompey will be propping up the table.

Stoke City - Find back-up tactic for Delap - throw - goal.

Sunderland - Keep Darren Bent and centre backs fit, Ferdinand set for a big season.

Tottenham Hotspur - Going to struggle to find best XI due to sudden quality in squad (when fit).

West Ham United - Will rely heavily on Cole and Noble for goals.

Wigan Athletic - Martinez's status as an unknown in the Premier League will work to his advantage.

Wolves - Will stay up courtesy of Ebanks-Blake's goals and Kightly's industry (when fit).

Aquilani Deal Gets Underway

Who's that guy I left out from my last post??

Only the player that has been strongly linked to Anfield over the past couple of days.

The transfer of Italy international Alberto Aquilani from Roma to Liverpool seems seems to be Rafa's preference as a fee was agreed between the two clubs - believed to be around £20 million.

But how good is Aquilani and will he adapt to the physical nature of the Premier League compared to that of Serie A? Only time will tell.

Alonso To Real - Done.

But who's in through the Anfield door??

An undisclosed fee (around £30 million) has been agreed between the club and he has passed his medical, the signing of the contract remains a formality.

So with that deal done, plus the departure of Alvaro Arbeloa as well to Madrid, Mr Benitez now needs to look to the future and the players he will need if Liverpool are again to put up a substantial title challenge.