Alan Shearer has 'seen enough' to make up his mind on Liverpool title chances

Alan Shearer is this season.

The Reds sit top of the table heading into October’s international break , thanks to first-half goal. side sits one point ahead of and , both of whom are expected to battle it out for the title.

Liverpool though has shown signs it may be able to compete with and Mikel Arteta’s sides, despite being .

Having taken over from during the summer, it has been a near-perfect start for Slot, who has won nine of his 10 games in charge so far, with a defeat to Nottingham Forest the only blot on his copybook.

Nevertheless, the Reds have conceded just twice in their seven league games so far, and former Newcastle striker Shearer is in no doubt about their title credentials.

Asked by host Gary Lineker whether Liverpool could challenge for the title, Shearer responded: “They certainly can, absolutely.

“They need to stay clear of injuries, you see a couple that they’ve had today, but I think we’ve seen enough already in the first few games to say that they’ll be strong, it’s a really good start.”

Fellow pundit Michah Richards though issues a word of warning about the Reds’ start to the season, pointing out that tougher games await them after the international break – a fact Slot is already well aware of.

“The thing is, Chelsea and Arsenal next, that’s when we’re going to judge them,” Richards said. “But they look good, a different way to Klopp, slower-paced, through the lines, slower build-up, all that sort of thing, but they’re doing well.”

Liverpool.com says: It’s been a brilliant start for Slot and Liverpool, although the real test is just around the corner. As has been pointed out by the Reds boss, much tougher games await them after the international break, obviously with the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal to come this month, but also Brighton and Aston Villa in November.

We’ll find out a lot more about Liverpool’s title credentials over the next month or so, but the early signs at least show that a top-four finish should be the minimum they’re aiming for, even if Neville didn’t think they were capable of that.