Liverpool heads into the international break just three points off the top of the Premier League table after eight games, while being just one behind third-placed Manchester City.
A draw against Brighton could be seen as a good result from the perspective of a side looking to return to Champions League football. But having seen glimpses of the mentality monsters of old, some fans are already looking at winning the league title.
It’s a possibility, given the start of teams in the top four, with only Arsenal and Spurs yet to suffer a defeat — though both have dropped points on two occasions. And those with their glass half full have a reason for optimism if they look at Liverpool’s schedule after the international break ends.
The Reds have the most favorable matches of any of the sides in the current emerging four-team title race, starting with the Merseyside derby at home. Everton might have turned a corner with its victory over Bournemouth, but the game at Anfield is one in which it has struggled historically — providing an excellent chance for Jürgen Klopp to get back to winning ways.
Liverpool is then at home to Nottingham Forest a week before an away trip to Luton Town, in two matches that should see maximum points taken, before a return to Anfield for the third time in four league matches against Brentford.
In that same time period, Arsenal will take on Chelsea and Newcastle away from home, while Manchester City also faces difficult tests in clashes with Brighton, Manchester United, and Chelsea. It is set to be a season-defining period that will be significant should the Reds maneuver themselves into title contention by Christmas.
While there will be some disappointment after failing to defeat Brighton from a winning position after Mohamed Salah’s penalty — and now having to wait two weeks before recapturing momentum — Liverpool has a realistic chance of being top of the league by the next international break. Straight after that, on November 25, the Reds will travel to the Etihad Stadium in an opportunity to make a statement to Pep Guardiola.
Manchester City, already having lost twice, and forced to come back late in what was expected to be a routine win at Sheffield United, have shown signs of regression so far, but that was perhaps to be expected after parting ways with two match winners in Riyad Mahrez and İlkay Gündoğan. And with doubt surrounding the manner in which Spurs secured victory over Liverpool, there is a feeling that it is Klopp’s side that will eventually break clear.
Should Liverpool earn the maximum 12 points from the next four league games, a goal that is more than achievable, then talk of a league title race will truly be on. The additions that Klopp has made make it look almost certain that Champions League nights will be back at Anfield next season, and as a silver lining takes the edge off a draw on the south coast, the Reds’ rebuild already looks to be nearing completion, with all focus on getting back to competing with the best sides in Europe.
