Joe Allen has easily been Liverpool's most consistent player through their first three league matches, and while it's nice to see the player settling in and going about his work so quickly and effectively, some of the sheen is taken off by the fact that they've only earned one point from their first three, good for the worst start to a league campaign in fifty years.
So that's probably not what most had in mind, but at least for Allen, there's been enough encouraging signs to indicate that the run of poor results to start the season will prove to be the exception rather than the rule. "We're faithful and confident that things are going to come good for us. We've got too much ability and talent in the team for it not to. With the talent and ability that the players have got here, it's only going to bring the best out of everyone. In time, I'm sure we'll bring success, so I'm thrilled to be a part of this project and can't wait for the season to unfold."
The trip to Sunderland tomorrow gives way to a stretch that, if it hasn't started already, will see the season begin the process of unfolding. Away to Young Boys in Switzerland on Thursday, home with Manchester United on Sunday, and off to the West Midlands the following Tuesday to face West Bromwich in the League Cup. There's talent and ability, sure, but now Liverpool are facing a period that absolutely demands that things come together with some sort of coherence and consistency.
With a number of younger players expected to play a part in the coming days and weeks--Suso was among the names in training today--the unfolding process will likely see a few bumps and bruises, and the international break won't have helped in terms of cohesiveness. But Brendan Rodgers should have a full squad to choose from, and even if there's a few setbacks, hopefully the displays Joe Allen references become the standard as the "project" gets going full swing.