Anelka happy to shed his sulky image

For a player who made sulking an art form, it is hard to believe that all Nicolas Anelka craves these days is his name on a team-sheet.

Phil Thompson swears it is the case and could have a point, judging by the young Frenchman's joie de vivre that shone at Anfield with an enthralling reminder of his best times at Arsenal. Anelka grabbed his first goal for Liverpool with the third in their 3-0 win over Birmingham - adding to a Michael Owen double.

Indeed, such was the incisive, rapier-like quality of Anelka's partnership with Owen that Emile Heskey appears to have more cause than ever for fretting about his recent lack of goals.

Caretaker boss Thompson said: 'After playing in only one of Paris Saint-Germain's last six games before he left, he wants to be playing again. Maybe he has a point to prove. If so, we are going to reap the benefits. 'For all that has been said about his past difficulties, he hasn't given us a problem since he arrived.'

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce said: 'I knew all about Anelka's talent and that Michael Owen is on fire, but we didn't need to give them that much respect.'