Three games into the season and Liverpool are top of the table with three wins in three games, while it is too early in the season for the table to matter, Liverpool showed why they are the favorites to snatch the title away from Manchester City with a 3-1 home victory against Arsenal.
Liverpool looked comfortable throughout the 90 minutes and have shown many times last season and this season that they can switch gears anytime in the match. Liverpool took the lead through a Joel Matip header and never looked like they were going to lose the lead in the match although the Liverpool defense looked shaky at times.
Liverpool is yet to keep a clean sheet this season and will hope that Alisson returns soon, Alisson who picked up a calf injury in the match against Norwich was ruled out for six weeks.
Alisson brings a lot of confidence to the Liverpool defense and without him, the Liverpool defense hasn’t looked as solid as they did last season when they conceded a miserly 22 goals all season.
Virgil van Dijk has looked solid again this season but has not been able to have the same influence over his other teammates so far this season, van Dijk who is the favorite to win the Ballon d’Or this year is a “Rolls-Royce” of a defender and his superb reading of the game always him to intercept passes very easily , Liverpool will hope that they can keep him fit all season.
Upfront Liverpool’s front three looks fit despite all three being involved in international tournaments during pre-season. Mo Salah looked devastating in the game against Arsenal and once again will be favorite to win the golden boot this season, Salah has the pace to go beyond and defender and will be giving the defenders nightmares this season with his pace and finishing.
Jurgen Klopp will hope that Firmino stays fit this season after his early-season injury issues, Firmino is a crucial part of Liverpool’s front three and drops deep to receive the ball allowing Mane and Salah the space to make runs inside the box. Firmino holds the ball up well and also has a superb range of passing allowing him to find Mane and Salah inside the box.
Klopp will have to rotate his front three at various points in the season to keep them fresh and firing if Liverpool is to beat Man City to the Premier League title.
