Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher warned against complacency ahead of his side’s trip to rock-bottom Southampton on Sunday afternoon.
Arne Slot’s Premier League pace-setters sit five points clear at the division’s summit. Liverpool could widen that yawning gap after Manchester City were condemned to a fifth-straight defeat by Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
Southampton reside at the opposite end of the table. Russell Martin’s newly promoted outfit have lost nine of their first 11 league games of the campaign and boast just four points.
Yet, despite the vast chasm which exists between the two clubs, Kelleher told Liverpool’s official website: “We can’t take our foot off the gas.”
The Republic of Ireland international continued: “As players we know ourselves, they’re a really good team. I think they’ve just been a bit unlucky with results and stuff.
“But they play a great style of football, they’re really good with the ball and they create lots of chances. We’re expecting a really tough game. I don’t think we’re looking at the league position too much.”
Kelleher’s manager delivered the same message. “They are bottom of the league but they don’t play at all like this,” Slot told the assembled media ahead of the weekend. “Their playing style is intriguing.
“I would say they are much more than a capable team. They have shown that they are very, very capable of playing teams like us.
“They have been unlucky but their style has been excellent. They could have got a result in almost every game they have played. Everyone is talking about playing Real Madrid and then Manchester City but, in my opinion, Southampton will be difficult as well.”
Martin was also full of praise for Liverpool and the tactful job Slot has done in replacing Jurgen Klopp. The Dutch coach has inspired an almost unchanged squad to a record-breaking start, racking up 15 wins from 17 matches across all competitions.
Beyond Southampton’s threat which Liverpool are at pains to acknowledge, a proliferation of injuries could complicate Sunday’s trip to the south coast. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota and Kelleher’s goalkeeping rival, Alisson, will all sit out this potential banana skin of a fixture.
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