'Liverpool remind me of Real Madrid' - Steve McManaman confident Jurgen Klopp's flawed but free-flowing entertainers can win the Premier League title

"I was lucky enough to play in a wonderful Real Madrid team that had so many great players up front, like Raul, Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane, but also Roberto Carlos and Michel Salgado bombing forward from full-back all the time," the former winger tells GOAL. 

"So, we conceded goals, and we often looked vulnerable at the back. But, nine times out of 10, we'd outscore the other team, and I think Liverpool are like that. 

"I've said it many, many times, Liverpool are always going to concede goals because of the way they play. But I've got no issue with that - because they're going to average three goals a game this season."

He might well be right. Liverpool have already racked up 18 goals in eight games and it would not be a surprise to see them improve upon that impressive strike-rate with Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota having all already scored at least three times in all competitions.

With that kind of strength in depth in attack, anything does seem possible.

"Honestly, I haven't got a preferred front three at the moment," McManaman admits. "If you're looking at the game at the weekend, you would say Mo, of course, because he always plays. But, after that, Jurgen is probably looking at the other forwards and thinking about how much they've played during the international break, how far they've had to travel, and when they got back into the country.

"Me, personally, I think Luis Diaz is a great player and Jota is a wonderful goalscorer, so maybe I would start those two against Everton. But when it comes to picking the front-line, I haven't got a specific preference. I think it has to be decided by the circumstances surrounding each and every game.

"The only thing that matters, really, is all five staying fit and well - because having so many attacking options is a wonderful advantage to have over nearly every other team in the league, because all of them are class and, perhaps even more importantly, all of them want to make an impact whenever they're on the field. And, to be fair to them, they've all done that so far this season in various games."

There's also no denying that Liverpool are carrying a far greater goal threat in midfield this season. Whereas last year, Klopp got very little attacking thrust out of his engine room, summer signings Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai are already off the mark for their new club.

"I think Szoboszlai has been absolutely excellent," McManaman enthuses. "He looks like a star. Obviously, Liverpool spent a fair bit of money on him, and they weren't the only big European club looking at him because of his potential. But I still think it's impressive how he's hit the ground running.

"Ryan Gravenberch looks like a really good player, too. I think he just needed a bit of love after being frozen out at Bayern Munich."

Of course, questions remain over the defensive midfield role. As McManaman freely admits, Madrid's full-backs were afforded so much freedom to attack because they had Claude Makelele covering for them - and Liverpool certainly don't have a No.6 anywhere near as effective at breaking up the play as the legendary Frenchman.

Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic have both previously been deployed in front of the back four - but the two Spaniards are still struggling with long-term injuries.

New arrival Endo Wataru has shown glimpses of why he's known as 'The Dual King' in his native Japan but was surprisingly overlooked for the game against Brighton just before the international break.

As for Alexis Mac Allister, he just doesn't look comfortable in a more defensive role without an enforcer alongside him.

Nonetheless, McManaman believes Liverpool are better stocked in midfield than they were last season - despite the shock loss of both Fabinho and Jordan Henderson.

"Look, I think they're making the best of it at the moment," he says. "They've certainly got good energy in the midfield.

"I will say that I think they've missed Curtis Jones during his suspension because he works really hard and Jurgen really trusts him now. He's improved so much over the past six months or so.

"Also, if Thiago can get back fit, he'll be a great addition, because he's a class act. Stefan Bajcetic is also working his way back to full fitness, so his return would also be a big boost.

"As for Endo, he's been unfortunate in the sense that he's come on a couple of times when Liverpool have been down to 10 men. He's also been starting in the European games when 10 changes have been made to the team. But I think he'll be fine because his work ethic and his attitude are both spot-on.

"So, when I look at it overall, Liverpool will still end up having about seven options for the midfield, just like last year, the difference being, though, that the majority of them are younger and stronger. That's why I think it's a nice position to be in."

Indeed, McManaman believes that this is now a Liverpool team on the up, rather than one experiencing a terminal decline. He's adamant that they're only going to improve the longer the season goes on, which is why he's even more confident of his former club having a successful campaign.

"I know Liverpool are going to be vulnerable at times because some of the players can get caught out of position because they like to push forward," he acknowledges. "So, it's just about finding that right balance between attack and defence. It's a numbers game, essentially.

"I don't want to see Trent and Andy Robertson bombing forward at the same time because Liverpool are going to be short at the back. It's going to leave Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate two-v-two at the back. Now, they can often handle that, but it's not ideal. So, you have to pick and choose your moments, when to go, and when to stay.

"But, honestly, I believe that will come in time. I said before the season started that they could win the title and I've not changed my mind. And no matter what happens in terms of trophies, I think Liverpool won't be beaten for entertainment value this season.

"I think they're going to be the team to watch because they're going to guarantee exciting games. You just know when Liverpool play that there will be loads of chances and goals - at both ends of the field - so that just makes me even more excited about the derby."

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