---
title: "LFC will take “a lot of stopping”, says Ashley Barnes – Reds look primed for title bid"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/lfc-will-take-a-lot-of-stopping-says-barnes-reds-look-primed-for-title-bid/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Articles"
published: "2019-09-02T11:00:25Z"
modified: "2019-09-02T11:00:25Z"
---

# LFC will take “a lot of stopping”, says Ashley Barnes – Reds look primed for title bid

There seems to be a increasing swell of opinion suggesting Liverpool could pip Manchester City to the Premier League title this season.

The Reds top the table after four matches, with Saturday’s 3-0 win at Burnley their most commanding performance yet.

Ashley Barnes was expected to trouble the Reds’ back-line, but he barely got a sniff up against Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip.

[Speaking](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/burnley-striker-sends-liverpool-warning-16849338) after the game, Barnes admitted Liverpool will take some stopping in the title race this season, going up a further gear from 2018/19:

> They are a better team than when we played them at the start of their winning run – but so are we, although the scoreline might not show that.

> We had a couple of chances, and you have to take those against the top teams, or they will make you pay for it.

> But you have to give them credit for how clinical hey were for their second and third goals.

> That is what Liverpool can do to you – they punish teams because they are so quick on the counter-attack, and so good when they get a sniff of goal..

> You can see their quality all over the park, and they are still growing, aren’t they. They are going to take a lot of stopping.

### Read Liverpool Verdict

Although City remain the favourites to clinch a third Premier League crown in a row, more are tipping Liverpool than at this stage last season.

There is the chance that City’s focus on winning Champions League takes their eye off the ball in the league, while Aymeric Laporte’s potential long-term absence could be a huge blow.

That being said, Pep Guardiola’s side remain the team to beat and so much could come down to the two meetings between the title rivals.

Liverpool couldn’t have made a better start, though – the amount of people lauding their brilliance is testament to that.