Liverpool top of the league: Relentless Salah can ensure they stay there

Anfield's insatiable Egyptian is back in the goalscoring groove, netting the only goal in Saturday's hard-fought win over Brighton at Anfield.

The summer break appears to have done little to slow Mohamed Salah down. The Egyptian with the unquenchable thirst for goals was at it again on Saturday, firing Liverpool to the top of the Premier League table after their best start to a season in five years.

It may only be August, but on a day when Manchester City dropped points on the road, the Reds’ ability to swat aside lesser opposition will have pleased Jurgen Klopp immensely. Brighton, like West Ham and Crystal Palace, were no match for his slick, organised Reds side.

As for Salah, his appetite for destruction remains as healthy as ever. His first-half strike, passed almost casually home first-time via the post, settled a game in which, for large spells, Liverpool were far from their best.

At times it was lethargic, at others it was sloppy. There will be better spectacles here this season, for sure.

In Salah, though, Klopp’s side have the man to pinch them points from tight game, to turn the difficult afternoons into successful ones. Last season’s player of the year is ready to have another bash.

In 29 Anfield appearances for the Reds, he has 29 goals. He’s relentless and ruthless, a thorn in the side of any defence. The Premier League knows what he’s all about now, but can they stop him? Not on the evidence of these first three games. Two goals, two assists, nine points, Liverpool going along very nicely indeed.

Klopp has been keen to temper expectations, warning his side of the challenges to come. Positive press, he feels, can be as much a distraction as negative headlines. Liverpool have enough obstacles to overcome without getting in their own way as well.