Striker Daniel Sturridge has scored in every game for Liverpool this season
Liverpool have made a fine start to their Premier League campaign and could extend their lead at the top of the table with a home win over Southampton on Saturday.
The win would put the Reds in a very good position, with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal not playing until Sunday.
Challengers
It may be early in the campaign, but the Reds really have made a promising start to their season.
The question is, are Liverpool realistic challengers for the Premier League title? The bookies clearly do not think so, as they are currently rated as fifth favourites for the title at 9/1 Liverpool to win title.
The bookies are usually right, so they obviously believe that the Reds are not realistic challengers for the Premier League title. However, they have made their most promising start to a season in a long time.
Consistent
The Reds have found a consistency in their performance that has been missing at times in the last few seasons. Last season the Reds must have frustrated their fans, by losing games they should have got something from and drawing too many games.
This season good performances have been rewarded with the points they have deserved, instead of Reds fans being frustrated.
One of the main reasons for Liverpool’s good performances this season has been the goal scoring form of striker Daniel Sturridge. The former-Chelsea striker has scored in all four Premier League games this season and looked very sharp.
Sturridge’s good form started last season and has just continued from there. He is starting to live-up to the hype of his younger years and developing into a truly top player. A certain team from Stamford Bridge certainly could have done with his recent scoring power in the last few games.
Return
Liverpool have achieved their recent form without star striker Luis Suarez, who is due to return from suspension in a few weeks and will available for the Reds Capital One Cup game against Manchester United.
Without a doubt Suarez is top-class player, but in a funny way his return to the Liverpool team may just upset the balance of the team. Reds boss Brendan Rodgers will have to find a place for Suarez in his team and it may mean players moving positions.
I do not see how Rodgers can think about moving Sturridge from his current central striking position, with the striker in such good form. An injury to Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho may mean that Suarez plays in the hole behind Sturridge, which could work out well for everybody for now.
When Coutinho returns from injury then Rodgers may have a dilemma on his hands. However, most Liverpool fans would say that it is a nice selection headache to have for the Reds boss.
Realistic
At the moment Liverpool’s form is good, but it is very early in the season. I believe that Reds are more realistic about their team’s chances than ever. There was an initial scepticism amongst Liverpool fans about Brendan Rodgers.
That now seems to have disappeared due to the team starting to develop and gain more victories. Everything seems to be coming together nicely for Rodgers and his side and the fans can see progress on the field.
I think if you would have asked most Liverpool fans at the start of the season if they would have been happy with challenging for the top four this season they would have taken it. That is a more likely target for Liverpool this season.
It will still be tough though, as none of the teams that finished in the top four last season will give up their position easily. Then there are also the likes of Tottenham and Liverpool’s city-rivals Everton looking to finish in the top four.
That is seven teams competing for four Champions League spots. We all know that seven into four does not fit.
Progression
It will be difficult for Liverpool to keep up their current momentum and challenge for the Premier League title. Other teams have bigger and stronger squads, but their challenge for a Champions League spot is a real one.
More importantly for Liverpool though they have made progress under Brendan Rodgers since his arrival and that is all the Reds fans could ask for from their club.
Is it too early to consider Liverpool as title challengers?
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