Jamie Carragher says Liverpool are starting look more like the sides from the Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez eras than the high-flying group of last season.
Jurgen Klopp's men put forth a dynamic attack last campaign, scoring 84 goals in 38 games, which was good for second in the Premier League behind the record-breaking champions Manchester City.
Mohamed Salah’s record-setting season led the way for the Anfield outfit, as he teamed with Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino to form a fearsome trio in attack.
Things have not been as productive in attack this season, though the Reds have still scored 26 goals in 13 Premier League games.
However, the Liverpool defence, buoyed by the additions of Virgil van Dijk last January and Alisson this summer, has proven stout this season.
Liverpool have conceded just five times in the Premier League, joint-best with Manchester City, and sit second in the table, two points behind the reigning champions and still unbeaten in the league.
Carragher thinks it’s only natural Liverpool’s team have changed a bit after a year where they lost Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to injury and saw all three of their attacking stars go to a World Cup.
However, while he notes this side reminds him a bit of the teams he played on at Anfield, this side looks the complete package.
"The narrative all season has been that Liverpool aren't playing like last season,” Carragher said.
Getty Images“But are they slightly different this season? There's no Coutinho now. There's no Oxlade-Chamberlain to give them that pace and drive from midfield. The front three all played at the World Cup. They now have Van Dijk and a goalkeeper.
“They are starting to look like the Liverpool team I played in. It's going back to Rafa Benitez and Gerard Houllier's time. They probably play a bit more football than we did, but they can rely on the defence to win them the game."
Liverpool returned from the international break with a 3-0 win at Vicarage Road against Watford to keep pace with City.
But the Reds face a crucial Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, knowing a loss would severely damage their chances of making the knockout rounds.