With five games gone, just two Premier League sides can boast a 100 per cent record.
Here, we examine Chelsea and Liverpool’s blistering starts to the season.
Should they keep it up, their Stamford Bridge collision on September 29 could leave one perfect start standing.
Star man so far
Chelsea:
Eden Hazard. Sarriball has unlocked the little Belgian and he has rewarded them with five goals, including three on Saturday. Hazard’s manager reckons he can score 40 in a season. Twenty five would be a leap, and a realistic one at that.
Liverpool:
James Milner. Yes. Seriously. While he may not have the glamour if a big-money arrival from abroad, the Yorkshireman has been immense in the middle of the park for Jurgen Klopp’s men. Milner has started every game and his incredible fitness is there for all to see. Covers every blade, allows others to race forward and takes a decent corner to boot.
Tactics
Chelsea:
An attack-minded 4-3-3 has seen Jorginho play in the deep holding role with N’Golo Kante tearing up and down as he does. Olivier Grioud has picked up where he left off for France in the World Cup, creating space for others. Marcos Alonso, bombing on from full back, has also been influential, as has Pedro, who looks to have now settled in England.
Liverpool:
Klopp’s high-pressing 4-3-3 is there for all to see. Try and stop it if you can. So far, nobody has been able to. The German’s system is aimed at creating mismatches and lightning strikes all over the pitch. It looks like he now has the players to carry out his instructions to perfection.
What the manager has said
Chelsea:
Sarri is a realist, and that was encapsulated by his comments after Saturday’s thumping of cannon fodder Cardiff. He pointed out that Liverpool and City ‘are better than the others’, while his self-announced target is to become England’s best in a year or 18 months. Somebody should tell him nobody announces their targets in England. It is a refreshing a bold step from the Italian.
Liverpool:
Klopp is keen to keep it real. ‘I don’t know what we will do yet,’ he said after Saturday’s statement victory over Spurs. ‘It’s early in the season, so how are the players going to react?’ Privately, however, he will know that the early signs are very positive.
How the new signings have performed
Chelsea:
There is a feeling that Chelsea fans are yet to see the best of Jorginho, although that is not a bad place to be after five straight wins. Mateo Kovacic has shown why Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been unable to get a sniff with some fine performances. The only new arrival which has been a let down is the try-hard home shirt, which looks like it came off a C & A rack in the 1980s.
Liverpool:
The most excitement among Liverpool’s army of fans was probably reserved for the long-awaited arrival of Naby Keita but, if truth be told, the shoring up of Klopp’s defence has been key. While Virgil van Dijk arrived last season, he has been huge – along with new goalkeeper Alisson – in ensuring that Liverpool are no longer seen as a soft touch at the back.
Cracks in the armour
Chelsea:
Sarri’s defence is yet to be seriously tested and, while it has been an encouraging start for Antonio Rudiger, sterner examinations await. David Luiz has impressed at the side of the German but there remain doubts over whether Chelsea possess a strong enough backline to launch a title challenge from.
Liverpool:
Energy. At times during Saturday’s strangling of Spurs it was hard not to think of the toll such relentless pressing may take on a squad that does not look huge. With a Champions League campaign to negotiate fatigue may be the biggest enemy as Liverpool aim to end almost three decades of Premier League misery.
Fixtures
Chelsea:
The Premier League visit of Liverpool will give us a true indication of where Sarri’s men are after a relatively cosy start to the season. The Europa League also comes into play. We will know a lot more in a month’s time.
Liverpool:
Look away now, Liverpool fans. PSG, Chelsea (twice), Napoli and Manchester City. Seven matches in 23 days. Ouch. Only Southampton at home looks straightforward. That said, come through that little minefield unscathed and excitement levels will be through the roof and on their way to the stars.