Liverpool is back in Premier League action today as West Ham United comes to Anfield, with both sides having made good starts to the season both domestically and in Europe.
We asked Liverpool fan Nick Sapia from LFC Boston a few questions about the Reds ahead of kick-off, including about Mohamed Salah's future and the start to the campaign that Jürgen Klopp's men have made.
It's been a strong start to the new season from Liverpool. What have you made of it so far?
It really has, and it feels like they are ahead of schedule at this point. A few things have come together quickly, but the biggest thing is that this start has inspired a lot of confidence in a young side.
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They seem to have found the attitude and belief that defined the best teams under Jürgen Klopp. Last week against Wolves was a perfect example — the first-half performance recalled some of the lowest points of last season, but they persevered and found their footing in the game in a way they never would have a year ago. Watching the match, it felt like they were going to find something — and you get the sense that the players feel the same.
The new players have been really good fits — highlighted by Dominik Szoboszlai, who looks like one of the best signings in the entire league. The improvements from existing players like Luis Díaz, Darwin Nuñez, and even surprises like Jarell Quansah, have been exciting and created more depth than expected. Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold seem to be relishing their new leadership roles, too.
In short, it looks like a tight-knit group of players who love playing together, which comes through when you're watching the match or listening to how the manager speaks about them. It's just a really, really fun team to cheer for. They should continue to improve as the season goes on. Yes, they need to stop conceding goals first, but I don't see why they can't compete on all fronts. Let's see where it ends, but it will be a fun ride.
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![Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp.](https://i2-prod.liverpoolecho.co.uk/incoming/article28219150.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/0_GettyImages-1748470251.jpg)
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Who would be your favored attacking line-up at this stage of the season?
Díaz and Nuñez's improvements this year have been clear. Díaz has always looked dangerous since he arrived, but the goal output lagged a bit. He's now scoring more of the goals you expect from that position — goals that Sadio Mané made a habit of scoring from the left wing.
Darwin is nearly unplayable for defenders — he's so dangerous in all aspects of the game. I loved the second goal against LASK because it showed how complete of a player he is: the strength to hold off the defender and receive the long ball, then the awareness and skill to find space and play the key pass that sprung the attack.
On top of everything else, he was the Player of the Match for me by a fair margin. I think he's on pace for an absolute monster of a season. Add in Mohamed Salah, who's a given, and that's Liverpool's most potent attack against most sides.
West Ham today. They've got some good players, including Jarrod Bowen. Would he be on your list of Mohamed Salah replacements if it came to it?
I think Jarrod Bowen is a fine player but he wouldn't be on my target list, mainly because he'll be 27 this season. He just doesn't look like someone who will ever get you 20 or more goals in a season.
If I'm Liverpool, though, I'm not considering replacing Salah anytime soon. He's had an unbelievable start to the season, and it's remarkable how he's so easily altered his game ever so slightly to become one of Liverpool's (and the Premier League's) best playmakers. Can he continue to play at the absolute highest level beyond this season? No question.
It's obvious how much the Champions League means to him, and I'm sure he wants another shot to win the European Cup. Obviously, that's going to have to happen next season. I don't know why he would throw away that chance. He's still one of the best players in the world, and he needs to be in that competition.
So, I'd extend his contract. Saudi Arabia will always be there for him when he wants to make that move, and I'd rather watch him play for Liverpool for as long as possible than "cash in" next summer.