3 weeks ago
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Former Manchester United and Everton striker Wayne Rooney says Liverpool showed the "signs of champions" this week after beating both Newcastle United and Arsenal in the Premier League.
Rio Ngumoha was the match-winner at St James' Park on Monday night before a sensational free-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai settled the result at Anfield against Arsenal a few days later.
"It gives you such a belief to move into the next game," Rooney said on Match of the Day. "I think when you score late goals, it is a testament to the players, to the manager, and to the coaching staff.
"You have got that confidence and belief. When you score late goals, it gives you that added energy. If you win the game 3-0, it doesn't do that. It's a sign of champions."
So far this season, Liverpool has beaten Bournemouth and Newcastle late on and then narrowly overcome a title rival in the form of Mikel Arteta's Arsenal.
Next up, it will face Burnley following the international break, before the visit of Everton and a trip to Crystal Palace. By the October internationals, it should have established itself among the leading contenders for the title.
"If we play this game 10 times more in the same fashion then I think it’s eight times a draw, we win it one time and Arsenal wins it one time," Arne Slot said in his post-match press conference.
"Because it was an uneventful game, which is something sometimes positive as well because both teams were really good in rest defence and in defending.
"I think normally Arsenal and us are able to create more chances during a game, but it tells you also something about the structure and the amount of discipline both teams have without the ball.
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"Then you need a moment of magic, which we got from Dominik, and that resulted in us winning a game that, like I just said, normally would have ended in a draw.
"But I don’t agree with you on the first game, I think we totally deserved to win the Bournemouth game, by the way.
Liverpool.com says: The Reds have won three out of three at the start of the season and haven't played anywhere near their full potential yet. That is hugely exciting, and a big warning sign for their rivals.
Having started the new campaign with so many new arrivals and still with work to do in the transfer market, Liverpool is still a work in progress. And yet, it is already sitting at the top of the standings.
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