Liverpool continue to take almost all before them with their astonishing start to the new season under Arne Slot.
Fourteen wins from 16 matches in all competitions since he became manager is not only a record-breaking opening run in this country, it is over and above what even the most positive of Reds fans expected.
Top of both the Premier League and the new bizarre format of the Champions League at this stage brings only plaudits. Yet in a few days’ time we will hit the final international break of the calendar year, which is always a significant benchmark and sacking season for football managers appears to go into overdrive. More than a quarter of the campaign has elapsed and we have a very decent sample size on which to gauge opinion.
In all the metrics that really count, Liverpool show up well. But even if you decide against crunching the numbers, what you see before your eyes is impressive. This team finds a way to win whatever the circumstances.
For most games so far, they have been able to dictate from the front , building a platform after scoring the crucial first goal. However, in the past two Premier League matches, they have gone behind three times and still shown the hunger and desire to change things around.
On Tuesday, after a counter-punching first half of battle with Bayer Leverkusen they powered past the German champions to a 4-0 victory. That scoreline against this sort of opponents is to be admired, but when you add in that Leverkusen are managed by former Reds midfielder and the person everyone wanted to replace Jurgen Klopp, Xabi Alonso, it adds even more lustre.
I doubt Slot will be getting too carried away, even if he enjoyed the Anfield faithful singing his name at the end of the 90 minutes. What is worth considering though is just how well the new manager has done, in just a few short months.
Saturday evening could prove to be another formidable challenge. Aston Villa, despite that surprise 4-1 defeat at Tottenham, are one of the best sides in the country and have not looked out of place in the Champions League. They have a style and pattern of play that is both easy on the eye and brings results.
Unai Emery has worked miracles at Villa and has put together an excellent squad. Morgan Rogers is a breakout star of season so far and, along with Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran, has the potential to cause problems for the Liverpool defence.
But this is just the latest challenge for Slot and Liverpool. You get the feeling that this is something he absolutely relishes.
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