Liverpool have been flourishing under Arne Slot but their upcoming fixture list will truly test their mettle.

The Reds return from the October international break as Premier League leaders thanks to six wins from their first seven matches.

It’s been so far, so good for Liverpool and SlotGetty

It’s been a hugely encouraging start to the post-Jurgen Klopp era, with Slot already delivering results four months on from taking up his post of head coach at Anfield.

Manchester City and Arsenal are set for another title race but Liverpool fans will believe they’re also worthy of taking the crown.

However, statistics show that their opening run of games has been favourable and the forthcoming schedule will be a huge challenge.

Slot’s superior Reds

Liverpool’s first test of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign was a trip to the newly-promoted Ipswich Town, in which they won 2-0.

They hit the same scoreline at home to Brentford before a 3-0 win at arch-rivals Manchester United asserted their quality on the pitch.

Slot’s side recovered from a home defeat to Nottingham Forest by claiming subsequent victories over Bournemouth, Wolves and Crystal Palace.

Liverpool’s 18 points is the highest tally but statistics from Opta have compared this to the quality of their opposition so far this season.

Their average opponent rating sits at around 84.5, the lowest out of all 20 sides in the Premier League.

In comparison, Wolves sit top of the pile with a score of just below 90 as they have faced sides that include Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa.

Opta’s median points and opposition rating stand at 10 and around 87.5 respectively, with Spurs the only team who meet both metrics.

This graph using Opta data shows how tough Liverpool’s start has been compared to the other 19 teams in the Premier LeagueOpta Analyst

Liverpool’s stars have been in fine form for much of the seasonGetty

But Slot and co. look set for tough couple of months in the Premier LeagueGetty

Liverpool have been able to deliver good results from the statistically easiest set of opening seven matches to help solidify top spot.

Slot has acknowledged their preferable fixture list, speaking via Reuters: “I looked at the league table and ‘OK, which teams did we face until now and which position are they? Are they in the top half or the bottom?’

“There are a lot of difficult teams we still have to face… let’s see where we are then when it comes to conceding goals because maybe the fixture schedule has been ‘nice’ to us when you see the league table.”

But the picture could look very different in the run-up to the festive period as the Merseyside giants prepare for a testing few weeks.

A rude awakening?

Liverpool’s first game back from the international break is a home clash on Sunday against an impressive fourth-placed Chelsea side.

A tough trip to title hopefuls Arsenal then follows before they host European qualification challengers Brighton and Villa.

High-flying Chelsea will arrive at Anfield full of confidenceGetty

Arsenal will surely be contenders for this season’s titleGetty

There may be a period of respite when they visit the struggling Southampton, but this will be brief as they next face rivals City.

Newcastle precede the Merseyside derby against Everton at Goodison Park, ahead of meetings with Fulham and Tottenham.

This ten-game run has been statistically rated as the toughest in the in the Premier League with an average opponent rating of 89.8.

Southampton are closest on 89.2 as they face seven of the same teams as Liverpool, with Leicester having the easiest run with 86.0.

Reigning champions City are yet to lose a single game in the leagueGetty

Slot will be hoping to keep Liverpool in command ahead of the busy festive periodGetty

Statistics show that it certainly won’t be easy for the RedsOpta

All of the Reds’ next ten opponents, bar two, currently sit in the top half of the Premier League table.

Champions League clashes against RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, Real Madrid and Girona also provide challenges, alongside a Carabao Cup last 16 match away at Brighton.

Slot will therefore be preparing for a hugely taxing period at the club that begins this weekend at Anfield.

Opta’s current final Premier League predictions for the end of the season have Liverpool sitting first and, if they continue their form in the next few weeks, title glory could certainly come their way in May.

Things don’t get any easier for Liverpool outside of the Premier League, eithertalkSPORT