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Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has offered his verdict on the current Reds squad.
After the Community Shield six weeks ago, the Reds kicked off the season with five consecutive victories, each featuring a decisive goal scored in the 83rd minute or later, including three in stoppage time. They made it six wins on the bounce on Saturday by beating Everton 2-1, as Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike scored in the first half.
Liverpool's most recent late drama came in a Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid, where Virgil van Dijk rose to head home the winner just two minutes into added time.
Over the summer, the Reds have heavily strengthened the squad, bringing in two record-breaking signings of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, as well as Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez in a bid to retain the Premier League title.
Arne Slot has made four changes for the game against Everton. Speaking ahead of the Merseyside derby at Anfield, Crouch insisted the additions made to the squad will help them in the long run.
He said: "It’s a big strong side. There’s all parts of the game covered.
"Fantastic talent, and a team that will be there or there abouts come the end of the season."
Crouch also praised Liverpool for the “inevitable” way the Reds repeatedly find last-gasp winners, while cautioning that maintaining such drama every week would be difficult over the course of a full season.
Speaking on TNT Sports, the former Reds striker added: "When you play against the great teams and fantastic teams with history, you feel almost like it’s inevitable that the pressure tells.
"Certainly in the early part of the season with the late goals, that consistent pressure, mental fatigue starts setting in [for opponents] and you get to a point of ‘Can we handle this? Can we physically get through this?’
"It’s not been the case for the other teams, but it’s something [Liverpool] will want to address.
"It’s something you can’t continue all season, but champions do find a way."
Liverpool.com says: These new signings, alongside the existing core of players, have played a major role in Liverpool’s thrilling start to the season. Each match has seen different players step up at crucial moments, highlighting not only the squad’s impressive depth but also the manager’s ability to rotate effectively without compromising performance.
With last-gasp drama already becoming a hallmark of the Reds' campaign in all competitions, Liverpool appears well-positioned to defend its crown and aim for Champions League glory, combining the experience of their established stars with the fresh energy and dynamism brought in by the new arrivals across key positions.
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