Liverpool legend Phil Thompson believes that the defensive displays of Jurgen Klopp's team have been more than impressive, giving the strikers much needed relief mentally.
The Reds, currently placed at the top of the Premier League table have scored nine goals in four league games, the third best among the top four, with both Chelsea and Manchester City having managed more.
Liverpool's defence have been just as impressive, with the Reds having conceded just once, which is the best record in the entire league.
What concerns the 64-year-old most is the fact that the team's intensity and levels have gone down, particularly in the second half of games, though he believes that the defensive qualities have been a bonus.
“We’ve had an absolutely fantastic start to the season”, Thompson said on Sky Sports News.
"You look at it, very good against West Ham, then decent against Crystal Palace. Then you had Brighton and Leicester.
“The levels and the intensity has been going down, particularly in the second half of games.
“Although it’s been great, it’s that expectation of where this Liverpool team is going to go.
“They will be a massive threat this year.
“I really think the defence has been quite excellent and I think that is the benefit.
“Maybe the front three are thinking ‘we’re alright now, we don’t have to score three and four in the first half, we can actually rely upon this back four and this goalkeeper to bail us out at times'.”
Liverpool's defence is likely to be given a stern test this coming weekend at Tottenham Hotspur.
