Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has insisted that there is still plenty of room for improvement from his side this season.
Liverpool have showcased their title credentials during the opening months of the campaign, losing just one and winning 11 of their 15 matches in all competitions.
The Reds were knocked off top spot in the table courtesy of a 0-0 draw against Southampton last time out, but Klopp believes that result could be important for the remainder of the campaign, starting against Sunderland on Saturday.
"The Southampton game was really important for us - the result was not too nice - but the games before looked a little bit like we were in the flow and it was easy. Then we had this day when we didn't score early - didn't score at all - but we stayed in the game and we are ready for the work we have to do. Not at the 12th match day [can you] have expectations about the games because we are in a good position," he told reporters.
"If someone was disappointed after the game we were not first in the table any more it is really crazy. If you want to keep this position or make it better you have to improve 100% and there is a lot of space for us. If I had any doubt about the attitude of the players (the Southampton result) would have helped because with 80% concentration you get nowhere in the Premier League. But it wasn't about attitude so I was really happy with the attitude and a lot of parts of the performance.
"It's like the points are already on the counter and we couldn't be further away from having the points already. We will not underestimate [Sunderland], 100% not. If one person in the stadium underestimates them it would be the first mistake we could make. [Sunderland] have not the highest amount of possession so that shows they are a counter-attacking team. But they don't only make counter-attacks, they have other strengths too with set pieces.
"The funny thing is that after the draw [last weekend] it started again with the 'parking the bus' team thing but Southampton are not a 'parking the bus team'. It was a team which we forced to defend deeper and that can happen against any team. So I am excited about having the chance again to show we are still there and still in good shape and use this opportunity to fight for the result."
Liverpool have scored 19 times in just six appearances at Anfield so far this season.
Barney Corkhill
