John Aldridge sent a timely reminder to Kenny Dalglish that he was not about to give up his place easily as he netted a hat-trick during an opening day win at Charlton Athletic.

With Ian Rush arriving back home following his spell in Italy with Juventus, many pundits assumed the Scouser would be the player to make way.

However, in the absence of an unfit Rush, Aldridge added to his double against Wimbledon in the Charity Shield a week earlier by continuing his blistering form in front of goal against the Addicks.

Former Liverpool understudy Bob Bolder had a miserable afternoon as Aldo showed he was still the gunslinger.