Liverpool players are accustomed to being at the top, according to Arne Slot

LONDON – Liverpool seems to be on the right track under new manager Arne Slot, as the signs are looking promising for the Reds. However, Slot himself isn't getting carried away with his team's strong start to the season.

It is probably too soon to compare the Dutchman to the likes of Merseyside greats Jurgen Klopp, Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley, but the fact is he has achieved something that none of his predecessors could manage.

Slot is the first Liverpool boss to win eight of his first nine matches in charge in all competitions, and could make it nine in 10 when his side travel to Crystal Palace on Oct 5 in their bid to extend their lead in the English Premier League.

He is, however, focusing only on one thing, and has warned his players that the match in front of them is more important than any personal statistic or record.

“We’re Liverpool, players here are used to being top of the table,” Slot said on Oct 4.

“It would be weird if a player here has his head in the clouds. But if we don’t play well tomorrow, people will say (we’re getting carried away) rather than Palace playing well.

“These players are experienced to know we’ve only played six games. Many won the league and Champions League here, so for them it’s nice to be top but I am not expecting them to watch their mobile to to see the table all the time.”

The Liverpool boss also spoke about the lunchtime kick-off, something that Klopp had publicly complained about.

“I think the league I come from, they are more aware and try to help teams in Europe but to be fair to the English FA our schedule is tight so it is difficult,” he said.

“It has a lot to do with TV stations... I think they can pick a team for 12.30pm, so they choose Liverpool. But every away game is difficult. People talk about 12.30pm, we talk about difficult away games. If 12.30pm was a difficult time to perform then I am a stupid manager because I train every day at midday!”

Liverpool head into the clash with Palace on the back of a 2-1 league win over Wolverhampton Wanderers which sent them to the top of the standings.

Another win would mean that the Reds are four points clear of title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal, for a few hours at least before their respective matches.

Much is at stake and Slot knows it, although he has already told his team to keep their feet on the ground.

Liverpool are in good form, though – they have won their last five games in all competitions, scoring 15 goals with an average of three per match.

But not since their title-winning 2019-20 season have they won their first four away fixtures of a Premier League season, so Slot would be seeking to make yet another impact in his tenure so far.

On Palace, he added: “You always look at the next game and it’s Palace, they have shown how tough they are against the bigger teams, Manchester United and Chelsea they got a result.

“Difficult for us but that is part of being at a top club. I don’t look at this moment about points, it’s after the weekend that it is interesting to see the table. Not before.”

Federico Chiesa is a doubt for the match, while Harvey Elliott is out with a fractured foot.

In the Palace camp, Chadi Riad, Christopher Richards and Cheick Doucoure are all sidelined.

The hosts are 18th in the standings, but manager Oliver Glasner’s job is not under threat at the moment.

That said, the Austrian must find solutions fast, and can take the positives from the team’s shock 1-0 win at Anfield back in April – the last time the two teams met.

It is a different story at Selhurst Park, however, as Liverpool last lost a league game on Palace’ home turf nearly 10 years ago, a 3-1 loss in November 2014. Anything less than a Reds victory would be a shock.