Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson needs striker Fernando Torres and captain Steven Gerrard on top form to bring success back to the club. The pair would be the key players in any team but with a lack of depth being compounded by a number of injuries their roles have become even more important.
That is highlighted by the fact that, apart from David Ngog's strike against Arsenal on the opening weekend of the season, all Liverpool's league goals have either been created or scored by those two.
They were at it again in the 1-1 draw at Wigan on Wednesday night with Gerrard's perfectly-weighted 30-yard through-ball allowing the Spain international to run through and shoot past goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi.
"It was an excellent goal and the move and the counter-attack and the combination play once again between Torres and Gerrard which got the latter in for his shot off the underside of the crossbar was another good example," said the Reds boss.
"But that is what you expect from players of their ability. Everyone knows they are international stars of the Premier League.
"If we are going to do well this season we need those two firing on all cylinders, we need Torres' goals and Gerrard's manipulation and control of the midfield.
"We only saw it in glimpses against Wigan whereas against Chelsea and in our previous victories against Napoli, Blackburn and Bolton it was present in much larger doses.
"But it was tough going to Wigan. We are on a good run but after four straight victories you know it is going to be hard to get the fifth.
"I suppose I have to be satisfied in some ways we are still unbeaten and we are one more point towards the total we want to achieve."
