I don't want to get carried away, talking up our title credentials or how Brendan could be on the 'famous flag' in a couple of years. It's not in my nature - I'm always more thoughtful, more sedate. Worn down, I think, by false dawns and manager/player departures of the past 25-odd years. "Let's wait a few years yet, see where this takes us" is my default. I really wish I was more the dreamer, more able to let myself go and just enjoy the moment.
I think I had a glimpse of what it's like to 'let go' though on Saturday. I didn't stop smiling for hours. I sat there in amazement after 20 minutes, just astounded that we'd done this to the league leaders - who, let it be said, are up there for a damn good reason - and what's more, we'd done it with such ease. As someone's already said, that first goal knocked Arsenal for six. The perfect delivery from Gerrard - that 'corridor of uncertainty', the nightmare for defenders and 'keepers alike - but absolute perfection if you're attacking it.
I thought then that we'd sit back a bit or rather, be forced back as Arsenal looked to cancel that opener out as quickly as they could. But no - we tore forward and ripped them open again culminating in another great delivery from Gerrard and what I can only describe as an utterly fantastic header from Skrtel. The difficulty involved in that was massive - running away from goal, stooping down low - to get the direction and accuracy on that... brilliant.
And so, we're 2-0 up. Careful I say, careful. 2-0 is a tricky scoreline at the best of times, the next goal (if one is to come) is always so important. Step forward Raheem Sterling, one of our most improved and most exciting players (or should that still really be 'prospects'?), to steady my nerves. The rapport he seems to have with Suárez is so warming to see. The way Suárez looked like a proud father when Raheem finished off that move. The huge grin from Raheem and how he immediately looks for Luis to celebrate. It's so good to see players who are genuinely happy to be alongside one another. The training pictures you can always argue can be selected to show any agenda but the reactions in live games - the way the whole group comes together, it's really good to see.
Still, even at 3-0 my nerves were not quite calmed. Admittedly, it was probably more nervous excitement mixed in with a bit of disbelief. Disbelief is definitely what took over when Coutinho gleefully accepted Özil's lax pass and threaded what was one of the finest passes I've seen through to Sturridge. I can't say "who doesn't miss" here because Daniel had missed what for him you'd think was a sitter moments earlier from Suárez' outstanding lay off - still, not one to be shaken by such events, Sturridge accepted his chance with aplomb. 4-0. Wow.
Given that barely 20 minutes had registered on the clock, I'd left my comfort zone and was starting to believe this could be a double-figure pasting. Arsenal were shot to bits all over the field and - let's get this bit right - it was only our decision to ease the pressure (coupled with a few more missed chances) that meant they got back into the game. I've seen some comments state that "ah, but it was 1-1 over 70 minutes". Get out of here with that crap, any bearing on the remaining 70 minutes was massively weighted by the fact we were 4 up!!
We were to be treated to several more glorious things before the game was up. The Suárez volley off the post, his free kick (how perfect was the placement on that?! What a player he is), Coutinho's utterly ridiculous run and through ball to Henderson. Jordon Ibe coming on and playing like he just belonged there and even Aly Cissokho ran through the defence and got a shot away towards the final whistle!
There were a couple of "negatives". They aren't really negative, but: the Gerrard tackle for their penalty didn't need to be made (probably only because he was on such a high and believed he could make everything!), the fact Sterling or Cissokho didn't take the easier option and play in Aspas (Sterling you can perhaps forgive, given he was on a hat trick). Mignolet's decision not to catch the pass early on and his odd flap/punch effort going straight into Flanno... Like I said, not really negatives in the usual sense.
The subs were even good! A shame that Aspas wasn't on slightly earlier but then do you really take Suárez off with 30 to go?! I personally would have, but then again I'm not the manager. Speaking of the manager, a special mention for Mr Rodgers - he got his tactics completely correct there and blew the opposition away. He's got us playing with a ruthless streak that means we've got an end product to our at times scintillating attacking build ups. We've not seen this brand of football (at least not consistently) for some time and I'm not totally convinced it's how he ultimately sees us playing. Perhaps he's altered his eventual vision or is just getting through this as a means to the end product when we add more quality players - whatever it is, I'm loving watching it and long may it continue!
Absolutely fantastic.