The first mini-season is finished. Every season breaks down into blocks of matches to be navigated, managed, and played. The results in five matches, four wins and a draw, two clean sheets, and 14 goals. More than that, Liverpool announced themselves both to the league and to Europe.
These five games served as a curtain raiser. All opponents will take notice. As one frontline super trio on the continent has been dismantled, a new one has been assembled in the North West of England. The rest of the footballing world will have taken notice. If not, there will be consequences of the dire variety.
Only three of 38 league games in, a mere fraction of a long campaign, but amongst Liverpool supporters there should be profound hope and belief. These Reds are for real and they are rampant.
Already shaping up to be one of the most competitive league seasons in recent years, barring a major unforeseen catastrophe, Liverpool will be in with a shout of the title all season.
Dismiss any thoughts of a winter fade. They may have failed to secure some of the signings at the top of their wish list but this squad will test the league. This campaign is already shaping up to be even more open amongst the typical top six. Key additions only elevate expectations on Merseyside. Yet, weaknesses and all, Liverpool as they are today already remain good enough to mount a title challenge.
Back amongst the European elite, the Reds return far better prepared for a deep run in the Champions League than their last outing. This continental campaign should only serve to harden their resolve and ensure that their attendance is once again a regularity. Beyond that, Liverpool holds a special romance under the lights of European nights, where amazing things happen.
What should concern opponents more than anything is how good this side is when everything is in sync.
There will be periods in matches where the Reds are quite simply unplayable. These opening five matches have already provided glimpses of that. You can already see opposing sides recognizing that they cannot live with Liverpool’s attacking play.
Jurgen Klopp’s side had too much pace, too much power, and too much precision for the club to sputter over sustained lengths of time. Already, missing three international starters from the squad has not slowed down this side. The question of depth will likely never disappear completely until a title is secured. The squad remains far from perfect and depth will remain a talking point for many, but this club is still very, very good.
The free flowing football that took the last year’s league by storm in the fall, before giving way to a winter of absences and injuries, is back, in spite of key players missing and early performances that suggested a possibly sluggish start. Now three, four, even five players buzz about the box with support arriving, as the whole side squeezes opponents into their own half with regularity.
Whether launching counter-attack clinics or penning opponents into their own end, this Reds team looks to have more ways to break down the competition than they have in recent memory. People also forget how well they unlocked packed defences before injuries precipitated their fall from the top. Remember, they are better now but they will be tested.
Still, heading into the first break, Liverpool played its way into form, meeting and overcoming most challenges so far. There will be more of course, no question. They be not favorites to win the league but they will challenge.
Questions will continue to be asked about the defence until major improvements are made via transfers or tactics. However, the high-risk, high-line, gegenpressing style that this team employs invites a degree of defensive questions, even criticism. While there is still room improve, the current rotation of young defenders will grow. and surprise many.
There should be considerable optimism among supporters. No matter who didn’t sign by deadline day’s end, Liverpool have improved and are stronger contenders than they were last year. Klopp is building something special and everyone should take note.
Consider this, the first block of matches successfully in the books and Liverpool are only going to get better. While that alone may not satisfy every supporter, it should be reason enough to rejoice. This season has many hallmarks of the last great title challenge but the squad looks stronger.
Up the Reds!
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