OPINION
We all know that mid-October is far too early for anyone to be awarding the Premier League title. However, that doesn’t stop fans of table-topping sides from getting excited.
That’s especially the case for Liverpool supporters this season, who are looking to scratch what will soon be a 30-year itch in regards to a league title.
Things are looking good right now. So good, in fact, that former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp believes that the league title is a done deal already.
“Liverpool [will be champions]. Give them the trophy now,” he told the Daily Mirror. “Absolutely, I’m so sure they will win it now. They are eight points clear and playing well.”
Again, anointing anyone as champions in October is a fool’s errand. However, pundits always love to go out on a limb, and it seems that Redknapp is no different. The Liverpool fans, certainly, will be head over heels with his verdict on the title race.
The Reds are in a commanding position right now. Eight points clear of Manchester City, with a 100% record, whereas the champions have already been beaten twice.
The key thing for Jurgen Klopp’s side, and presumably part of the reason why Redknapp is so bullish on their chances, is that they are now 100% healthy.
Alisson has missed almost all of this season, but the team haven’t skipped a beat. Now he’s back to full fitness, ready to reinforce a Liverpool defence that hasn’t quite looked as solid as it did last term.
Manchester City, on the other hand, have Aymeric Laporte, Kevin De Bruyne, Leroy Sane and Sergio Aguero all suffering from injury problems. That’s the equivalent of Virgil van Dijk, Georginio Wijnaldum, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah being out for Liverpool, which tells you all you need to know about how bad things are for Pep Guardiola’s side right now.
So while we still can’t count the reigning champions out, Redknapp’s unshakeable confidence in Liverpool’s title chances is a sentiment spreading rapidly across the country.
