‘Liverpool have high marks below Arne Slot – that is how they’ll get even higher’

Liverpool and Arne Slot just keep passing each test.

Reds boss Slot said the period between the October international break and the November one would be the real grading moment for his side after a flying start. Well it’s A+, first class, distinction or whatever way you want to mark it.

Since they’ve returned from the October break, Chelsea, RB Leipzig, Brighton (twice) and Bayer Leverkusen have been beaten. While the Reds got out of the Emirates with a point after playing below their best against Arsenal.

Now the next examination of their Premier League title credentials arrives at Anfield tonight when Aston Villa visit. Given it is a decade since Villa have won a game at Anfield, there will be expectation that the Reds head into the November break still top of the Premier League table.

It’s too early to say if Slot’s side can last the pace in the title race. While they’re passing tests with flying colours, there’s still questions to be answered.

This time last season – after 10 games – Tottenham were flying at the top of the table and Ange Postecoglou was being anointed the new king of North London. Spurs finished fifth and have been inconsistent this season. Brilliant one week, terrible the next.

Now Liverpool are much better than Tottenham. Their squad is full of world-class players like Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Co.

But that’s just a point to show that the mood can change quickly. All it takes is a couple of defeats and suddenly the outlook on Slot’s start would be different. Yet few believed Slot would have Liverpool top of the table and looking like contenders after he replaced Jurgen Klopp in the summer.

Most – this writer included – felt there would be some drop off after the departure of such a big figure at the club. It wasn’t quite Sir Alex Ferguson leaving Manchester United, but Klopp had been the figurehead of this new Liverpool for almost a decade.

Yet Slot has fitted in seamlessly and is doing it his way with positive results. They’re not perfect. There’s still errors in their build-up as they continue to adapt and Brighton showed in the first 45 minutes last week how you can dominate the Reds even on their own patch.

But Slot was able to tweak it at the break and two quick-fire goals fired up the crowd to turn Anfield into a bearpit. They need to be more clinical in attack and restrict chances to the opposing team in latter stages of games but so far, so very good for Slot.

Villa is another test but they’ll keep coming as champions City visit on December 1. There’s an opportunity this season with City not yet at their best and Arsenal appearing to be struggling to get going.

If Slot’s side continue to get A grades for the next few weeks then those on the red half of Merseyside will struggle to contain their excitement.

STATS THE WAY IT IS

There was a time when the only number players cared about were the player ratings in the paper and how many goals they scored.

Now every bit of data is being gobbled up by stats nerds and players. Newcastle boss Eddie Howe admitted this week he’s never quite seen a thirst from players for their numbers like they are now. He only cared what he got out of 10 in the newspaper when he played.

From running stats to XG, to expected assists, pressing, field tilt and how many blades of grass they touched in a game. We may have made the last one up.

But this fascination with numbers is also bringing out stat padders. Players who will play the easier pass or refuse to take on the shot because of fear of having loss of possession numbers too high.

That takes some of the joy out of the game. Brentford boss Thomas Frank spoke openly about improving the XG of a shot before taking it on.

That means less risk. But it also means less wow moments when a striker fires one in from 30 yards off the bar.

ONSIDE

Ruben Amorim. Beating Manchester City before he’s even Manchester United manager.

OFFSIDE

Mark Robins sacked by Coventry. Took them from League Two to Championship play-off final. Farce.