Has a wonderful title vista drifted in over the Mersey?
Liverpool's Darwin Nunez attempts a header against Aston Villa. The Uruguayan scored the vital opener.
THE clocks have barely changed, rendering all talk of title victories obscenely premature, but there was still something in the Anfield air beyond the last whiffs of fireworks being set off across L4 late on Saturday.
That had more to do with Manchester City’s precipitous decline than Liverpool’s excellence, in truth, but as Arene Slot made it 15 wins and one draw from his first 17 games as manager, opening a five-point lead at the top of the table, the sense of belief was tangible.
Slot needed two excellent first half saves from Caoimhin Kelleher to clinch win number 15 but his side was, otherwise, superb against one of their fellow Champions League combatants.
Goals from Darwin Nunez and, of course, Mo Salah swung the day but Nunez, alone, should have had a hat-trick and, with City losing badly before kick-off at Anfield, there was a real sense that this could be an extraordinary year for Liverpool and their new Dutch manager.
“Listen, we can't deny that. Their result was announced in the stadium,” said Virgil van Dijk of the City failure helping to inspire his team.
“But it's still so early in the season. We've seen them over the years put together crazy runs of winning games and being so consistent. Now they have some injuries and are in a bit of a difficult period but things can turn quickly.
“We shouldn't focus on any of that and I don't think we do. That's something we can't control. Let's see what the coming weeks bring.
“Doing it just before the international break, finishing off a difficult run of games on a high with a 2-0 win, good performance, clean sheet, it's very pleasing. It creates a solid foundation for after the break. Hopefully everyone comes back fit and healthy and ready to kick on.”
Of course, no Liverpool fans needs cautioning about unrealistic optimism. Nor should they, after seeing just one title success in the last 34 years.
That one, under Jurgen Klopp, came in Covid times, played out in empty stadia and with fans denied even the chance of a celebratory open top bus tour of the city. Imagine the scenes, half a decade on, if supporters are offered that opportunity next spring.
And, on a more general level, City’s demise, along with Liverpool’s resurgence, has to be good news for the league, if only from the perspective of being able to ratchet up the drama.
City and Liverpool play each other on the first day of next month but, aside from that game, the only time when the two teams kick off at the same time over the dozen games that have been scheduled by television so far, is on December 4.
In other words, in 11 of the next 12 games, City and Liverpool either play each other or play after their rival has finished their fixture. There is going to be plenty of the sort of nerve-shredding excitement that City’s loss and Liverpool’s win brought on Saturday.
And, says their captain, after falling short last season, his team is better equipped to deal with the tension and not repeat that failure 12 months on.
“We should have learned from last year. If you don't learn then it doesn't bring you any further,” said van Dijk.
“We're only in November but I see us dealing with difficult moments pretty well. We had a couple of games where we bounced back after going behind. The mentality of the boys to turn it around was amazing.
“Maybe towards the end of a season the pressure is higher. Then everyone has to be there and step up. I can't predict how the last part of the season will go. But so far, so good.
“For me it's quite easy to say, but I just want to enjoy it. Go out there, all of us are privileged and blessed to be playing for Liverpool and have players around you with so much quality. Let's see what it brings.”
No Liverpool victory is complete these days without the obligatory Salah heroics, in this case an assist and his goal which makes him the first player across Europe’s big leagues to his 10 in each category this season.
“Special player,” said van Dijk. “He's been like that for so many years, not just this year. I see the hard work he puts in on a daily basis.
“It's how consistent he is, especially with his numbers but with his performances as well. He's a special athlete, a special player and a legend of the club. I'm very pleased that we still share a pitch together.” Whether they will continue to do so next season - both are out of contract this summer - remains to be seen, although in the case of both players, age is no limitation at present, despite van Dijk turning 34 next summer and Salah 33. The pair look capable of staying at this level for some time to come.
“Physically, I can definitely see that happening. Mentally, that's in his hands,” said van Dijk. “With certain players, you see how they keep playing at the highest level. He's definitely one of them. I definitely feel it from the mental side and physically I feel absolutely fine. Let's see what the future brings.”
(4-2-3-1): Kelleher 7; Alexander-Arnold 7 (Bradley 24, 6) , Konate 9, van Dijk 8, Robertson 6; Gravenberch 7, Mac Allister 6 (Endo 86); Salah 8, Jones 7 (Szoboszlai 65, 6), Diaz 6; Nunez 7 (Gakpo 65, 6).
Quansah, Gomez, Jaros, Morton, Tsimikas.
(4-2-3-1): Martinez 6; Konsa 6, Carlos 6, Torres 5, Digne 6 (Maatsen 74, 5); Onana 7 (Kamara 74, 6), Tielemans 7; Bailey 6 (Philoghene 65, 6), Rogers 5, Ramsey 5 (McGinn 45, 6); Watkins 6 (Duran 65, 6).
: Bogarde, Buendia, Mings, Olsen.
Referee: D Coote 6 Ends
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