Samuel Makori

It was business as usual at Anfield on Thursday night when a clinical display by the home team ensured a crushing 3-0 win over FC Gomel and entry into the final qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Cup.

Admittedly FC Gomel were not top notch opposition but that fact did not take the gloss off the shine of a superb Liverpool performance.

Brendan Rodgers in his first home game in charge had the luxury of fielding his strongest 11 and the team that was let loose on the pitch did not disappoint.

Luis Suarez in particular, and fresh off a new contract extension, was magical. His quick feet and dazzling interlink play were the catalysts for the first two Liverpool goals.

Fabio Borini was also making his Anfield debut. Much has been said about the talents of the young Italian and going by his performance on the night it would seem that Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool invested very well.

Liverpool faced Toronto FC on the 21st of July 2012 in their first game under new manager Brendan Rodgers. The game, a pre season friendly, was played in Toronto, Canada in the Rogers Centre.

Brendan Rodgers had in his first press conference on taking the coaching mantle promised a different approach to Liverpool's game: a more pressing system with emphasis on ball retention and midfield dominance. Liverpool did not disappoint.

The Reds started with some unfamiliar youngsters on the pitch, Nathan Eccleston, Andre Wisdom, 16 year old Jordon Ibe (formerly of Wycombe Wanderers) and Daniel Pacheco started with regulars Jamie Carragher (captain), Charlie Adam - who was back after a long injury lay off, Jay Spearing and Jose Enrique. Alberto Aquilani and Brad Jones in goal also featured in the first half.

Theo Walcott is the latest player to be linked with a move to Liverpool.

The 23-year-old currently plays for Arsenal and is meeting the Arsenal top brass this week in an attempt to discuss issues relating to his long term future at the club.

The last time a senior Arsenal player (Robin Van Persie) held such a discussion it ended up in an announcement that heralded the parting of ways between player and club. Many Arsenal fans will be hoping that this scenario will not replicate itself in Walcott's case as well.

Liverpool are keenly monitoring the discussions and seem ready to pounce if there is a stalemate. It is rumoured that the club may be willing to part with as much as 15 million pounds for Walcott's signature. Judging by past experiences this offer may be too much for Arsene Wenger to ignore. Chelsea are also in the frame having indicated that they would enter into a bidding war for the player with Liverpool if he decides to leave Arsenal.

Liverpool is reported to have agreed on a fee of 12 million pounds with Roma for the signature of Fabio Borini.

The deal is as good as done subject to Borini passing a medical and will be Brendan Rodger's first signing as Liverpool coach.

So what qualities made Rodgers decide to sign up Borini?

Fabio Borini may not be well known to many football fans who follow the English Premier League but the 21 year old prodigy is already a seasoned player at the highest level.

The Italian international who previously played for Roma entered into the football scene at the tender age of nine years initially playing for Bologna in Italy before joining Chelsea in 2007 as a youth player at the age of 16 years.

Borini's talents blossomed at Chelsea where he played for the reserves and instantly became their top striker netting 10 times in 11 appearances including scoring 5 goals in one game against Birmingham in 2010. He also featured for Chelsea at the senior level in the Champions league.

Since the tenure of legendary tactician Johan Cryuff and later Louis Van Gaal and Frank Rijkaard, Barcelona FC have dazzled the world with their intricate passing game. Tiki taka, as the system of play is now known, has captivated audiences all over the world.

Pleasing to the eye and enjoyable to watch, tiki taka is characterized by short passing movements and emphasis on maintaining possession. Andres Montes the late Spanish broadcaster is credited with coining the term whilst commentating during the 2006 World Cup.

The Spanish, also known masters of tiki taka, utilized a high tempo form of the system at the recently concluded Euro 2012 with outstanding success.

Liverpool coach Brendan Rodgers has indicated that he wants to re-invent the system of play at Liverpool by introducing a variant of tiki taka.