Liverpool could hardly have started the season in better shape this year.

There was a great deal of uncertainty over what kind of level the Reds would find themselves during the summer, having been forced to confront the departure of Jurgen Klopp.

Although he arrived with the pedigree of a league and cup win while managing Feyenoord, the jury was certainly out on how Arne Slot would handle the jump in quality at Liverpool.

So far, the Dutchman has answered almost all questions asked of him with considerable ease at Anfield.

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The one blot on his copybook was a surprise loss at home against Nottingham Forest.

But Slot appears to have learned from that defeat, winning all four matches since.

After six games and with the second international break of the season on the horizon, Liverpool are sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League.

And pundits have been weighing in on whether the Reds can stay there.

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Liverpool are not a plucky underdog story, that should be made clear.

While there was doubt over the level Slot would bring to the club, the Liverpool squad were good enough to finish third last season while also lifting the Carabao Cup.

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Having kept that squad together during the summer, there should have been an expectation that the Reds could do similarly well.

However, having lost the mercurial leadership of Klopp, there was still some sense that a drop-off may arrive.

So far, that is yet to happen.

And speaking on his Cycling GK podcast, former England goalkeeper Ben Foster says that this is a clear sign that Liverpool will be right in the mix to lift the title in May.

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“I think everybody’s kind of made their mind up on Liverpool already that they’re not quite as rock and roll as Klopp had them last season,” says Foster.

Only conceding two goals this season is a fantastic start.”

Asked whether Liverpool would be in the conversation to be champions, Foster gave an emphatic response.

“They’ve got to be [title challengers], without a doubt,” he said.

While it has been a really good beginning to the campaign for the Reds, it should also be noted that we are still in very, very early days.

Slot is certainly not getting carried away by his good start in English football and supporters should not be either.

Having said that, the first half dozen games of the Premier League season can be instructive in nailing down what the Reds’ expectations should be.

Prior to the campaign beginning, most fans would probably have been satisfied with a repeat of what happened last term; a top four finish and perhaps a trophy would be lovely.

Now, though, performances have suggested that Liverpool should be aiming higher in their ambitions.

Why not go for the league title after all?