December 16, 2006 doesn’t feel like an important date or milestone – and in football reality it isn’t when you consider that the season begins in August and ends in May.

This date did have significance to one of the ‘big four’ though as it was at this point that they managed just their second away win of the Premier League campaign. The team I’m talking about is Liverpool Football Club. Looking back, it’s very difficult to fathom out just why and how it took over five months for Rafa Benitez squad to register two maximums away from Anfield. In fact it doesn’t seem possible but the history book doesn’t lie.

That record book doesn’t lie now either – with two away games played, two away games won, 100% perfect on the road and the demons of last seasons domestic travels hopefully banished. When you consider that the Reds took a paltry two points out of the twenty-one offered last year while finishing twenty-one points off the pace to Manchester United, this start is explosive.

For sure the title isn’t won in August and September but the foundation for a challenge in late April and early May is certainly built in these two months. As we’ve seen from the last few seasons, getting off to a flyer is a ‘must’ as it allows you the breathing space to drop a point or two when the fixtures start piling up. Looking ahead at Liverpool’s next four opponents Derby (h), Portsmouth (a), Birmingham (h), and Wigan (a) you can’t help but see a fat and tasty twelve-point feast.

So what is the difference between Liverpool 06/07 & Liverpool 07/08…Benitez summed it up with his post match comments after their latest victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. “We have a stronger squad now and we know we have the confidence in the players.”

What he also has, I believe, is more confidence in…himself.

Despite winning the Champions League and FA Cup, I’m not sure that Benitez believed himself to be a top Premiership manager – this season I have no doubt that he thinks and knows that he is the best. Even in this embryonic stage of the campaign he appears to have developed a cutthroat instinct not only towards his team but to his managerial adversaries. The cuddly Rafa who’d sit down and have a beer with you no longer exists. He has been replaced with a Rafa that’ll call you out in the press. A Rafa that’ll dive straight into the deep end. A Rafa that is prepared to go to war and play mind games with the best in the business.

That doesn’t mean he won’t still fiddle about though…just maybe not quite as much as before!

That’s good news for Reds supporters who have in the past been concerned with his tweaking. Seven members of his starting eleven have appeared in all three league matches - a minor miracle when you consider the tinkering ‘Rafa the Rotator’ likes to perform. The Spaniard even had the luxury of giving his skipper, Steven Gerrard the afternoon off against the Black Cats. Would Jose Mourinho dare take that luxury with Frank Lampard, SAF with Ronaldo…I think we know the answer to that question?

Yes, we’re only three games in and yes, it’s too early to tell the whole story but the signs scream that Liverpool are not content with being a ‘Cup’ team and here is why.

Pepe Reina has yet to make a telling save in 270 minutes. The two goals he has conceded were a non-existent penalty (Finnan/Chelsea) and an unlucky penalty (Carragher/Villa).

The back four of Steve Finnan, Jamie Carragher, Danny Agger and Alvaro Abreloa reminds me of Phil Neal, Alan Hansen, Phil Thompson and Joey Jones – seriously good company.

In midfield its an embarrassment of riches with competition for playing time as fierce as is ever been – just ask new signing, Youssi Benayoun, Harry Kewell, Momo Sissoko and last seasons darling, Javier Mascherano.

While upfront, Peter Crouch can’t get a game as his watches, Dirk Kuyt, new Anfield hero, Fernando Torres and Andrij Voronin take the glory.

Rafa Benitez has at last built a team that can challenge for Premiership glory. It’s spectacular, it’s deep and it’s hungry to end almost two decades of heartache.

Quickly back to dates. December 16th 2006 is not one the Kop will remember fondly despite that second away win because they knew that once again the Holy Grail had slipped away. Football is a sport rich in dates though. On December 15th 2007, almost a full year later, that Holy Grail the Kop so deeply craves may just be passed to them…Manchester United visit Anfield – tell me your hair isn’t standing upon your necks!!!

One final thought - last year I had Liverpool winning the Premiership title and I was horribly wrong. This season I jumped off the wagon and I believe I’ve made a big mistake.

Until then, get the beers in.