Jamie Carragher believes that Liverpool are capable of sustaining a Premier League title challenge if they can maintain their levels of energy and intensity.
The Reds currently sit third in the table behind Manchester City and Arsenal on goal difference alone.
A 4-2 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday represented their seventh victory in ten league games, and means they are now the joint-top goalscorers of any side, __with 24.
They have been installed as second favourites to claim a first top-flight title since 1990, and former defender Carragher is more than impressed __with Jurgen Klopp’s side.
“I think the start Liverpool had, if someone had said Liverpool had been around top four, if they had been sixth or seventh, a couple of points off top four at this stage of the season then I think Liverpool fans would have been delighted, because of the tough start they had,” he said.
“To be that close to the that top the table gives you great hope, we’ve spoken before about the no Europe situation and you see them not playing the full team in midweek against Spurs.
“Crystal Palace, defensively still big problems there it looks like, but their intensity in the play and the way they close the ball down, it is reminiscent of a couple of years ago.
“I go back to that season under Brendan Rodgers, that’s what almost took Liverpool to the title, that extra energy and intensity, closing the ball down, fast football.
“I think Alan Pardew said that it was the best team they’ve come up against. I think some of the football was fantastic. Crystal Palace away, it’s not one of the big boys, but it’s the type of game you look at as a player or as a fan and think you could lose there, or drop points certainly.
“To go there an win emphatically, sent a message that they are the real deal.”