Liverpool go top following their 3rd win in a row as City drop points at Wolves

Liverpool go top following their 3rd win in a row as City drop points at Wolves

The odds on Liverpool winning the Premiership title this season dropped once again after the Reds maintained their 100% start to the campaign. Man City slipped up with a 1-1 draw at Molineux in the early game on Saturday, and Jurgen Klopp’s men capitalised with victory over Brighton. It was not vintage stuff from Liverpool, but they are learning to win ugly and they are still yet to concede a goal this season. Klopp is downplaying title talk, but the early signs are extremely encouraging for everyone associated with the club.

Last season this team proved just how exhilarating they are going forwards under Klopp, displaying great pace, power, penetration and unpredictability in attack. But a leaky defence was typically their undoing, so it is heartening to see them defending so well in the early stages of the 2018/19 campaign. Naby Keita has helped toughen up the midfield alongside James Milner, and the centre-backs are enjoying fantastic protection, with Fabinho still to come in. Virgil Van Dijk remains a pillar of strength at the back, and Alisson made a very smart save when called upon in the 1-0 victory over the Seagulls.

Have a look at a Betonline review before looking at the best odds on the market, and you will see that Liverpool are now as low as 5/2 to win the Premier League this season. Meanwhile, Man City are creeping closer to even money and Man Utd have gone all the way out to 28/1. Klopp has urged fans not to get too carried away. “If you watched the games – we knew before the game but now a few more people know – we have a lot more to do,” he said bemoaning his side’s lack of patience and the way they allowed Brighton chances at the death.

In interviews he has been pouring cold water on his team’s title chances, and he is right to do so, as it allows them to play without pressure. But privately he must be very pleased with what he has seen so far. Mohamed Salah is making a mockery of any talk of him being a one-season wonder by picking up where he left off last term. His cool, side-footed finish was a thing of beauty to settle the Brighton game, and he is playing with energy, dynamism and confidence once more. Roberto Firmino keeps going from strength to strength, and Sadio Mane is shaping up for a strong season.

Having a strong goalkeeper should install more confidence in the defence, and Liverpool also have the right squad depth to challenge for glory on multiple fronts now. Xherdan Shaqiri, Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana form a very strong second choice front three, and competition for places in the middle of the park is immense, while both full-backs have excellent cover. An injury to Van Dijk, Alisson or the talismanic Salah could derail Liverpool’s title bid, but that is true of their rivals too. Spurs look lost without Harry Kane, Chelsea lack cutting edge without Eden Hazard and even Man City would struggle if Ederson or Fernandinho missed out. They are already missing Kevin De Bruyne, as his genius could have swung that Wolves draw in their favour.

A two-point lead over the champions is exciting, but it is obviously a long old season and much can happen between now and May. Yet if Liverpool can keep it tight at the back and keep putting away smaller teams like Brighton, they will have a great chance. They showed last season how strong they are against the big teams, vanquishing Man City three times, and it is easy to imagine them having a good record against the likes of Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea. This is a strong and competitive league, but right now Liverpool look the strongest of the bunch.