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Arsenal might be the Premier League title favorite at this early stage in the season, but after beating Liverpool well at the weekend, Manchester City has properly entered the conversation too.
At some point, both of those sides will have a blip. For Liverpool, however, there is very much a question mark over two things: firstly, whether it is already too far behind to be able to capitalize, and secondly, whether it will be anywhere near consistent enough to string together a winning run.
Up next is a kinder set of fixtures for Arne Slot's team, but on the evidence of the campaign to date, while it is experienced in going all the way, it might struggle to keep pace.
With Liverpool having dropped off in terms of its level compared to last season, there was a chance for someone else to jump into the queue. But it doesn't look set to be Chelsea, another side to have beaten the Reds in recent weeks.
"I think we’re not going to win the league this season," former Stamford Bridge favorite John Obi Mikel said on his podcast, Obi One. "I think we just lack a bit more experience in terms of winning the league.
"I think the top four should be the aim this season. But listen, if we’re there, we’re there. I think right now we’re playing well.
"We're winning games, and of course, we don’t have the main man back — Cole Palmer. I think when he comes back into that team, we will be a much, much better team."
Enzo Maresca's men are currently third, a point ahead of Sunderland. But without the experience of having been there and done it before, Chelsea has to be viewed as an outsider.
The same accusation, until it gets over the line, will also be leveled at Arsenal. The Gunners have the experience of being there until the end having finished second three years in a row, but are yet to make that final step.
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Built on solid foundations, the question regarding Arsenal is whether it can score enough goals from open play and won't rely too heavily on set-pieces.
And even with Manchester City, there is not complete certainty. It, of course, has won the league title many times under Pep Guardiola, but it does appear to be very reliant on Erling Haaland.
One injury to the Norwegian, and it might suddenly look light in forward areas. If he stays fit, the chances are he will keep scoring.
No team at the top is perfect, but Arsenal and Manchester City are the clear favorites. No doubt frustratingly for Arne Slot, though, Chelsea, as things stand, looks best placed to challenge rather than Liverpool, even with an inexperienced roster.
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