Cautious Optimism
We certainly were looking forward to this season with Liverpool Football Club. So far in the Premier League it is 11 league games played, 9 wins, 1 draw, and 1 narrow loss. These results put the Reds atop the Premier League by a five-point margin. In the Champions League, it is four games played, four wins, top of the league phase table. Add to that, we qualified for the League Cup quarter-finals as icing on the cake. Liverpool is absolutely cooking heading into yet another international break. This is an opening stretch that even the most optimistic of Reds fans wouldn’t have predicted. I certainly didn’t, especially since I pegged this season to be more of a transitional one more than anything else, as we enter a new era under Arne Slot. But that cautious optimism may be getting more of a foothold.
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Is It Sustainable?
The short answer? Yes. Simply because it’s been done by Liverpool before. Most notably, we rode a hot start to a league title in 2019/20. The thing is, the 99-point season amassed by that squad that season, isn’t necessarily needed for the Reds to bring home THIS title. With Rodri out for Manchester City, and Arsenal currently nine points behind Liverpool at the top, things have been working favorably so far for Arne Slot’s men. There is likely an increased margin for error compared to campaigns where we had to amass 90+ points. This could change on a dime, especially if Manchester City go on their trademark winning streak to end the season, but as of now, the Reds have set themselves up nicely to reward our optimism and mount a solid title challenge this year.
The Injury Bug’s Shadow
Of course, many factors can play into Liverpool losing their lead at the top of the table. A bad run of form here, or some unlucky moments there can prove damaging, but probably none can compare to the devastation that the dreaded injury bug can inflict on the squad. Just looking at last season for reference, the squad hung in there and fought until the bitter end, and that’s a testament to the mentality that Jurgen Klopp instilled in that squad. Unfortunately, the revolving door of injuries to key players during critical moments throughout the season just proved too much.
I wouldn’t want to tempt fate and imply that a similar situation could happen again this year, but looking at the squad, it’s still pretty much the same faces who were around last year, except for Federico Chiesa. Going by that logic, another injury crisis can see us scratching and clawing the get results like we did towards the end of last season. This is the glass-half-empty perspective and one that I wouldn’t want to speak into existence too much for the sake of my sanity.
Ahead Of Schedule?
Regardless of whether Liverpool goes on to win the title or not, I think we can collectively agree that we’re much further into the Arne Slot timeline as we predicted. I would’ve been content with finishing in a Champions League place this year and going for a cup or two. It’s the natural expectation, at least in my opinion, when considering the stylistic overhaul the club will experience after having Klopp around for almost a decade.
Instead, the Dutchman has the Reds hitting the ground running and then some! This is a combination of multiple positive factors of course. It is equal parts Slot’s brilliance as a manager and the quality of the squad he inherited. All things considered though, the future is bright. There’s a lot to be positive about concerning all things Liverpool Football Club. Let’s all take a step back and enjoy the ride!
