Thanks to @theliverword for this guest post!
Liverpool climbed to the summit of the Premier League yesterday with an impressive 6-1 hammering of Watford at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s men produced another feast of high intensity attacking football that has the Anfield faithful excited about the future.
This is the first time in two years that Liverpool have sat on top of the league and it has taken a lot of hard work and a new manager to get back there.
But after an encouraging first season in charge, where Liverpool reached two cup finals, Klopp now has a squad that he wants and one he feels can compete for honours.
The disappointment of having no European football this season could turn out to be a blessing with Klopp and his team only having to focus on one game-per-week.
There are similarities to Brendan Rodgers’ buccaneering side of two years ago with the attacking flair that Klopp’s side possess, and like the team that went close to winning the title, this season’s vintage is also conceding goals with that factor costing Liverpool dear in 2013/14.
But this season’s squad is better equipped to challenge for the title than two years ago for five reasons:
1. Klopp has proved he can win the league at Dortmund, whereas Rodgers was inexperienced.
2. Many players have learned from the experience of missing out two years ago.
3. Although conceding, the defence is stronger with Clyne and Milner proving to be solid full-backs and Matip forming a strong partnership with Lovren in the centre.
4. Liverpool now have a stronger bench with players like Daniel Sturridge struggling to get a game.
5. For the first time in many years Liverpool are not relying on any one player. For years they relied on Gerrard and supporters were distraught to see their captain and Luis Suarez leave the club, but probably for the first time since these heroes departed, supporters are not missing them – because the likes of Coutinho, Firmino, Lallana and Mane are producing the sort of football they love. With goals coming from 10 different players in the first 11 games of this season, Liverpool’s star is the collective.
Liverpool now go into the international break knowing that we will stay top of the league for the next two weeks, but don’t be surprised if we stay longer.