The Reds have started the new campaign pretty strongly, winning five from eight so far, with their only defeat coming in highly contentious circumstances away at Tottenham.
That loss came after five straight victories in the Premier League and, after a much-discussed midfield rebuild, Jurgen Klopp’s side have begun to look like their old selves – particularly from an attacking perspective.
Liverpool are averaging 2.25 goals a game, while Mohamed Salah leads the division in goal contributions (five goals, four assists).
Among the new arrivals, Dominik Szoboszlai has impressed greatly, while Klopp’s ‘Liverpool 2.0′, as they have been dubbed, have shown great resilience to fight back and win games from losing positions on three occasions already
Optimism over the Reds’ start appears to be shared by Opta.
The data specialists’ Premier League season simulation has been updated after gameweek eight, ahead of the international break, with Liverpool down as having a 42% chance of finishing second, behind only Manchester City, whose next title is (depressingly) seen as an 80% probability.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s likelihood of lifting a 21st top flight title come May are rated at just 12.2%.
However, more positively, Klopp’s men have just an 8.6% chance of missing out on the top four for a second season running, according to the calculations.
The Reds’ second most likely position is third at 24.8%, while fourth place is rated at 12.6%.
In terms of Liverpool’s rivals, Manchester United are most likely headed for a lowest-ever ninth-placed finish in the Premier League, according to Opta, while Everton are predicted at 16th.
