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No pressing of panic button

Congratulations are in order to Manchester United following their first win at Anfield in five years on Sunday. There have been debates in many discussion forums on the key refereeing decisions in the game but I am not going to get into that. Whatever people can say, the result will not change and the record will always show that United won 2-1 on the day, hence my heartfelt congratulations.

As for my Liverpool, I know the team has made its worst ever start to a season but you will not see me press the panic button yet. I have seen enough in the first five league matches to believe that the team will not stay in the relegation zone for long. Any discerning eye can see what Brendan Rodgers is trying to do with the team and that is likely to show in the results sooner than later.

In fact, there is no way Liverpool would have been where they are on the league table if they had a different set of opening fixtures but playing United, Manchester City and the Arsenal in the first five matches was always going to be difficult in normal times. The fact that the team is still learning a new playing system, therefore, could only have made the situation worse.

Evidence of progress was seen in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday night when a very youthful Liverpool side outplayed and beat a strong West Bromwich Albion team that defeated their seniors 3-0 on the opening day of the season on the same pitch. The way the winning goal was crafted was the greatest sign yet that Rodgers’ methods are sinking in and that things can only get better.

I can sense a similar sense of optimism within the Arsenal camp after a good performance against defending league champions Manchester City on Sunday was followed up by an impressive Capital One Cup victory over Coventry City of League One. The display at Eastlands was especially assured and they could be forgiven for feeling they deserved more than the sole point they got there.

And they have another chance to show their progress this afternoon when they host London rivals Chelsea at the Emirates. For the Blues, this is their first real test of the season and Roberto di Matteo will be hoping that his remoulded side will put up a performance commensurate with the investment that was made in the summer. You have to think this is the weekend’s standout fixture.

The other intriguing encounter will be at Old Trafford where United will be hosting Andre Villas-Boaz’s Tottenham Hotspur. After the first few dull opening performances, the London side seems to be getting into stride and will be looking for a first win on this ground in a very long time. The Red Devils are not yet firing on all cylinders but anyone knows they always find a way of getting a result.

Back home, it is semi-final week in the Standard Bank Knockout Cup with two derbies played in Lilongwe. First this afternoon is the Blantyre derby between Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers that has moved to the capital. It will be followed up by the meeting of Civo and Silver Strikers. You have to admire whoever worked on the fixtures. May the best teams win.

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