It has been a terrific start for Arne Slot as Liverpool manager. His team are now 9 points clear of Chelsea and Arsenal at the top, with Man City a further two back in 5th place.
As well as this, Liverpool have won 5 out of 5 in the Champions League and sit two points clear in that competition as well. The big question is, have they got the Premier League wrapped up?
There are 25 games still to go in the league. Assuming Arsenal, to use them as an example, can now go at last year’s rate of 2.34 points per game, they would finish on 84 points. They are capable of more. To lose out to them, Liverpool would have to go at 1.96 per game from now which is still solid form and remains entirely possible.
Purely on the numbers, Liverpool have been impressive. As the Premier League is so robotic however, it’s hard to say they’ve been overly enjoyable to watch. That’s the case with lots of Europe’s top teams in fact.
These days, we get more entertainment watching the big teams fail. It’s happening to Man City right now, while Real Madrid are showing signs of cracking too. Can it yet happen to Liverpool?
Liverpool’s Early Season Results
The key to Liverpool this season has been consistency. They have shown the sort of robotic, machine-like consistency often associated with Manchester City thus far.
They’ve won at Milan and Man United, have beaten Chelsea 2-1 and drew with Arsenal. They also beat Brighton 2-1. It’s been an impressive, long run of results but they haven’t been towering over each team they beat.
They recently took care of both Real Madrid and Man City 2-0 at Anfield, with both teams not in a good place at the time which was also the case with their Man United victory at Old Trafford. One could argue that Arsenal’s 5-1 win at Sporting, 5-2 first half performance at West Ham and 3-0 win against Forest were more devastating.
Liverpool’s consistency means that, with no major injuries, they can continue to win most games. and then simple maths will lead to inevitability. Any major absences however can change this pattern, and their individual results show they don’t have a big cushion over other major sides.
What Do Upcoming Fixtures Tell Us?
With 25 games still to go, there are a lot of points to fight for. No matter who you beat, you only get three points. It will be those tough away fixtures that decides all of this though, and they’re the games to concentrate on.
If Villa continue, in the Champions League, they will find it very hard to get into the top four. Arsenal and Man City will still think they can win the league, as will Chelsea. Those teams, along with Newcastle, Tottenham, Brighton and Nottingham Forest can provide major opposition on their home grounds.
Man City
Pep Guardiola’s team could be out of all this if they end up with a points deduction, though it’s hard to say how likely that really is.
They are still to play away to Arsenal, Tottenham and Man United but a Man City in full flow would fear none of these games. Something has to change, however.
Chelsea
It appears that Chelsea are back, but their home form, arguably easier fixtures and the form of one man (Cole Palmer) have been the major factors.
The Blues are yet to travel to Tottenham, Man City, Arsenal, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest which will be a major test of their mettle in the title race. They do look a solid top four team in fairness.
Arsenal
Arsenal, unless Man City can halt their slide and then go on a major run, are the team Liverpool should be frightened of. As mentioned above, they can devastate teams and score multiple goals, and it must be remembered that they had their bad run of injuries early in the piece.
If the likes of Odegaard can stay fit, they can go on a long unbeaten run. They have to go to Liverpool yet, which will be crucial, as well as Man United and Brighton. They’ve already put their other potential toughest away fixtures behind them.
Liverpool
This is the other tricky part for Liverpool. They have to get another good result at Newcastle on Wednesday. If they do, they take another fairly big step towards winning this title. Even after that, they go to Tottenham, Man City, Chelsea and Nottingham Forest who beat them at Anfield earlier in the campaign.
That is not an easy bunch of away fixtures at all, and these are the games that will decide whether Liverpool sink or swim as a title-chasing side in the modern game.