In Liverpool, they’re starting to acknowledge the title fight. But after Klopp’s departure, the club’s management did not immediately envisage such a position

They couldn’t have had a more pleasant Saturday. Players, coaches and Reds fans watched Brighton’s afternoon win over Manchester City with a smile, then Liverpool themselves took all the points against Aston Villa.

• Liverpool beat Aston Villa 2: 0
• First Darwin Nunez, then Mohamed Salah scored
• The Reds are five points clear at the top of the Premier League

Ironically, both Liverpool goals came after breakthroughs. The Reds had three dangerous counter-attacks, the only one missed went for a poor finish by Darwin Núñez. He was lucky to convert at least his first raid.

The Reds’ 2-0 triumph ensured that they will still have a comfortable five-point lead at the top of the table after the November break. Even Pep Guardiola mentioned in Saturday’s press conference that his Manchester City players are not the best team in the league this season.

“If we are five points clear at the top of the league, then that means something. But we have to go step by step. If you had asked me before the season started I wouldn’t have said we were candidates, but now it looks like we are,” smiled midfielder Alexis Mac Allister at the press conference.

And the Reds didn’t have an easy lot at all. Arsenal, Brighton and Aston Villa in the league, Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League and Brighton again in the Carabao Cup. A tough five with only one loss for the draw with Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.

The team under new coach Arne Slote won 15 out of 17 games, which was certainly not expected. Replacing Jürgen Klopp was supposed to be extremely difficult, but so far he is doing even better, at least looking at the numbers.

Liverpool have had a successful but difficult run of games

“We are really happy that most of our players have stayed fit during this tough series. When I look at the games that are coming up, they are tough. Overall, it’s going to be a tough season. The margins are small, we have a lead but it’s small. We have many challenges ahead of us,” continued the Argentine international.

In any case, the injury avoidance comment did not come at an ideal moment. Already in the first half, Trent Alexander Arnold, a mainstay from the right edge of the defence, had to be substituted due to problems with a muscle in his leg.

“That’s always a bad sign, but of course it’s hard to say how serious it is yet. On the other hand, when a player asks for a substitution in the first half, it’s usually serious,” Reds coach Slot sad after the game.

Arnold was planned to be relied on by the England national team, which is waiting for its first meeting under coach Thomas Tuchel. The German manager is set to finally win a major trophy for Albion, despite criticism from English legends.

“I’d be surprised to see him in an England jersey in a week,” continued manager Slot, who can’t wait to go into a league game in two weeks’ time as the English league leader again.

Source: Canal+ Sport