Liverpool show the style of champions

MUCH was made of Liverpool topping the table for the first time in five years after this romp, but it was the manner with which Derby were dispatched that does more to suggest they can end their 18-year wait for the league title.

There may seem to have been more false dawns than a branch of Tannerife since Liverpool were last champions in 1990 but there is good reason for the growing optimism that Rafael Benitez, in his fourth season in England, can finally end that fallow period.

While it is accepted that fewer points will be required to secure the championship and 18 better teams than Derby will travel to Anfield in the Premiership this season, it has previously been Liverpool’s failure to pick up three points time and again against lesser sides that has prevented them challenging under Benitez.