Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant recently called Liverpool “the best team in Europe,” praising their impressive start to the season.
Liverpool has defied critics and surpassed expectations with a stellar run under new manager Arne Slot, who has quickly made his mark since taking over from Jurgen Klopp.
Contrary to predictions of a post-Klopp decline, Liverpool currently sits at the top of both the Premier League and their Champions League group, with Slot winning 14 of his first 16 matches.
In the summer, many pundits anticipated a transitional period for the club, with some expecting Liverpool to struggle and lose their status as serious contenders. However, Slot’s arrival has sparked a resurgence, propelling Liverpool to a level of consistency and quality that few foresaw. After an early-season run against comparatively lighter competition, critics raised questions about the team’s form. But any doubts have since been dispelled as Liverpool emerged victorious in five of their last six matches, facing a string of high-caliber opponents, including Chelsea, Leipzig, Arsenal, Brighton, and German league champions Bayer Leverkusen. Each of these opponents currently ranks among the top clubs in their respective leagues, yet Liverpool managed to navigate these challenges without major setbacks.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Pennant underscored the significance of Liverpool’s achievements so far, noting that their performance has proven their dominance over Europe’s strongest clubs.
“I think they’re probably one of the best teams in Europe at the moment,” Pennant asserted. “Stats don’t lie. The way they’re playing, with tough fixtures against Chelsea, Leipzig, Arsenal, Brighton, and Leverkusen, and coming out unscathed—you have to say they’re the best team in Europe right now.”
Backing Pennant’s claim, the numbers clearly demonstrate Liverpool’s impressive form. In both the Premier League and Champions League, the Reds have accumulated 37 points from 14 games, averaging an impressive 2.64 points per match. To put that in perspective, the leaders of Europe’s other top leagues fall behind in terms of points per game. Paris Saint-Germain, for example, has 30 points from 14 matches (2.14 per game), Bayern Munich has 29 from 13 games (2.23), and Barcelona, despite leading in La Liga, has 42 points from 16 matches (2.62 per game). Napoli, although leading Serie A with 25 points from 11 games (2.27), aren’t competing in European tournaments this season. Comparatively, Liverpool’s points-per-game ratio edges out or matches each of these teams, underscoring their current standing as Europe’s top side.
Slot may be flattered by Pennant’s enthusiastic praise, but he’s likely aware that titles are not won by praise alone. These statistics, while remarkable, will hold weight only if Liverpool can convert their form into trophies by season’s end. While the early momentum has put them in a commanding position, they face challenging fixtures leading up to the new year. The holiday season will test the team’s depth, resilience, and consistency—qualities essential for maintaining top spots domestically and in Europe.
If Liverpool can hold on to their lead through this demanding period, they’ll have a strong case for aiming at the highest honors. With Slot’s vision, their disciplined tactics, and undeniable form, Liverpool fans may dare to dream of silverware on multiple fronts.
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