Zonal Marking and An Attacking Steven Gerrard Finally Out at Anfield

There are two things we picked up from Liverpool's opening day draw with Arsenal. One, zonal marking is a thing of the past, and two, Stevie G is going back to a deeper midfield role. In each of Arsenal's corner kicks it was clear that Liverpool were operating in a man-to-man marking system, and though they looked a little uneasy at times, it was nice to see some change around Anfield.

Joe Cole's arrival brought joy to Anfield on day one, and now that it has put Steven Gerrard back in what most say is his best role, people will be even happier.

Gerrard can control the game better when playing in a deeper position on the pitch, and while his goal-scoring chances may be reduced, that's what Cole, Dirk Kuyt and others are for. Fernando Torres has often said that Gerrard's best role in his mind is just off the striker, but when neither is on top form, it only hurts the team. The 2007-08 season saw a great goal return from the pair with Gerrard in a role just off the striker, but other teams have picked up on that scheme by now. Besides, Torres is talented enough that he should be able to play with just about anyone.

Zonal marking was one of Rafa Benitez's mainstays, and he was always happy to defend it. And he had plenty to defend. For years, Liverpool was criticised over defending corners and free kicks, and every time some got an open header, zonal marking was on the chopping block.

Zonal marking wasn't to blame for Liverpool's poor season last year, and it's clear that on most days the Torres-Gerrard partnership is one most teams in the world would kill for, but when they didn't work and Benitez stuck with it, it showed an unwillingness to change that eventually caught up with him.

Roy Hodgson has made a huge stir in the club from the moment he arrived, but most importantly, big changes have showed up on the pitch. Now, if Hodgson could only get Torres to bring back the blonde hair. He's just not the same without it.