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Liverpool's 1-0 victory against Brighton sent them to the summit of the Premier League table, leapfrogging Manchester City in the process. A two-point advantage over last season's title winners could prove crucial going into the month of September and the international break.
On paper, it seems like the perfect start to the league campaign, with seven goals scored and clean sheets in all three games so far. There were, however, areas of concern that need to be delved into by Jurgen Klopp and his side, given the scoreline and the fact that Brighton were still very much in the game until the last minute.
A goal from last season's Golden Boot winner and Ballon d'Or nominee Mo Salah gave the Reds the perfect start. Many fans inside Anfield thought that the flood-gates would open and that Liverpool would demolish Brighton in a similar manner to which they did last season both home and away.
The South English outfit, however, put up a much sterner test, pushing Liverpool all the way with a dogged and disciplined performance. Pascal Gross nearly brought the Seagulls but was denied by some quick reactions from the world's second most expensive goalkeeper.
#3 Liverpool would have drawn these types of games last season
Liverpool started the 2017/18 campaign reasonably well with a draw against Watford away from home, followed up by two wins against Crystal Palace and Arsenal respectively. The 4-0 thrashing of Arsenal gave many fans the belief that the Reds could achieve something truly special, with the win sending Liverpool fans into delirium, and Gunners' fans into meltdown.
The optimism amongst the fan-base, however, petered out just as quickly as it came, as Liverpool drew to Burnley and Newcastle 1-1 in both games. The matches followed a near identical pattern, as the Reds dominated possession and mustered up several scoring opportunities but failed to make either of those sides pay.
In the home game against Burnley, the Reds had 35 shots compared to the Clarets five, with 72% possession for the Merseyside club.
The Reds managed more than double the number of shots against the Magpies and took the lead with a Phillipe Coutinho stunner. Some confusion between Dejan Lovren and Simon Mignolet allowed Joselu to step between the pair and stroke home an equaliser. Their game against Swansea last season followed a near identical pattern.
Liverpool now have the players to stay in games and not squander 1-0 leads. The assured and confident Virgil van Dijk boosts the morale of those around him, while the energy of Trent Alexander Arnold and Andrew Robertson help relieve any sustained pressure from the opposition, as they look to venture forward at any available opportunity.
#2 Mo Salah getting on the scoresheet once more
Mohammed Salah had one of the most remarkable individual seasons in Premier League history, with 44 goals in all competitions and a record-breaking total of 32 goals in England's top division. That sort of goal return fills Liverpool fans with abundant joy and happiness but increases the pressure on Salah ten-fold to deliver similar numbers this time around.
The Egyptian's goal against West Ham was a typical poacher's goal; a classic case of being at the right place when necessary.
His goal against Brighton, however, was a goal that epitomised Jurgen Klopp's pressing style. James Milner took advantage of sloppy play from Brighton's Bissouma and off-loaded the ball to Roberto Firmino who then played Salah through on goal.
A precise finish into Matt Ryan's bottom right corner gave the Egyptian his second goal of the season. His high standards mean that fans and pundits will raise questions every time Salah fails to score and so it is important he keeps his confidence even when he misses gilt-edged chances.
Four minutes from stoppage time and the 25-year-old found himself in a near identical position to the goal, but instead sent a shot high and wide, missing a great chance to put the game to bed.
#1 Alisson's composure aiding the defence
Liverpool fans now live in the security that there is a truly world class keeper in goal, with Alisson's composure rubbing off on the rest of Liverpool's defence. The Brazilian's composure really showed when faced up against Anthony Knockaert, who tormented Manchester United with his runs in behind the defence.
Knockaert came charging at the 25-year-old hoping to draw an error but the former Roma goalkeeper stayed remarkably calm and chipped the ball over the Brighton frontman. That moment of magic lifted the spirit of Anfield and brought supports to their feet, helping relieve any tension they might have had with the score at 1-0.
Brighton started to play more direct as the game went on, looking for passes over the top. Joe Gomez, however, remained alert and alleviated any further pressure on the Reds. Virgil Van Dijk and Gomez often went back to Alisson knowing that he would make a pass capable of starting another Liverpool attack.
Midway into the second half, however, Glen Murray carried on hurrying the Liverpool keeper and nearly caught out Alisson, who tried to take on the former Palace forward but lost control of the ball.
There always runs a fine line between goalkeepers performing a great piece of skill or making a calamitous error; a line Alisson might want to tread a bit more carefully.
