Liverpool got their Champions League campaign back on track at Anfield on Tuesday evening with a 2-1 victory against Ajax thanks to a late winner from Joel Matip.
But the start of the season has been underwhelming by the Reds' own standards, yielding just two wins from six Premier League matches whilst managing an injury list more in keeping with the end of a season, not the beginning of one.
The ECHO caught up with Brendan Collins - better known as highly-acclaimed drum and bass DJ/producer Futurebound - to get his thoughts on the season so far. When he's not touring the world and getting national airplay on BBC Radio 1, the Liverpool season ticket holder of 35 years can be found at Anfield following his beloved Reds.
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Only a few months ago Liverpool stood on the brink of a quadruple, now they’ve won two out of six Premier League games and got thumped by Napoli. What’s gone wrong?
I did wonder after playing every game possible last season and after the headache of the Champions League final loss that we may start off slow or a touch wobbly, but after watching the Charity shield game against City I thought we were looking very sharp and ready for another assault. But it’s certainly turned out wobbly so far.
I think it’s a number of reasons. Fatigue after so many games last season, less time to prepare for the new season and under equipped in the midfield, which most Liverpool fans had identified over a year ago.
What did you make of the performance/result against Ajax on Tuesday evening?
That was a much better. The body language from the players was a whole lot better compared to last week at Napoli. We attacked like we’re used to seeing. When Thiago and Matip are in the side Liverpool look a different side and last night they were our two stand out performers. For me, Tsimikas stays in the side now as well. He had a great game last night and is a player who I really rate.
We said goodbye to Sadio Mane in the summer. What were your thoughts on his departure and how much will it affect this Liverpool side?
I was shocked to see him move on to be honest. The fans loved Sadio and he seemed settled but as soon as It was obvious the club wouldn't match his wage demands like they were with Mo his mood seemed to change.
You’re always going to miss a quality player like Sadio, but for me the real problem is the form of Mo (Salah). From the start of last season until he went off to AFCON he was arguably the best player on the planet and since returning from that tournament he’s looked a shadow of himself, but form is temporary as they say.
The Reds have been absolutely plagued with injuries since the start of the season. Do you think this is very unfortunate or bad planning?
I think it’s all down to fatigue from the amount games played last season and at the tempo we play at. Knowing the season was starting a week earlier than usual I never understood why we committed to six or seven pre season games. I think City played two. So on that note yes I would say that was a bit of bad planning as well.
Jurgen Klopp did not bring in any out-and-out midfielders this summer until making a deadline day loan move for Arthur Melo. Do you think they have enough to sustain an assault on the major trophies?
That remains to be seen. It was blatantly obvious we had an ageing midfield with Henderson now 32 and Milly (James Milner) 36. They’ve been outstanding for this club but you can't expect them to still operate like in previous seasons with the schedule we have. Thiago is one of the best players I've ever seen, but you know it's only a matter of time before he's out with an injury.
Fabinho still has age on his side but unfortunately so far his form isn’t what we know and he looks drained as well. Harvey Elliot is a serious player and been one of the outstanding ones so far but we can’t rely on young lads like him, Carvalho and Curtis Jones to be the full hit yet, that takes years of experience of playing at this level. As for Keita he should of been sold this summer in my opinion, cut your losses as he's never off the treatment table.
I know Jurgen’s priorities of signing (Aurelien) Tchouameni and (Jude) Bellingham didn’t work out and that he only wants signings he’s identified but we should have had a plan B and C in place and brought in at least one midfielder earlier than we did. I was surprised by us acting last minute like that to be honest.
If you could sign one player for the Reds right now who would it be?
Bellingham. Every time I’ve watched him he is the main man leading the charge and for such a young age he looks the real deal already. I also really like West Ham's Declan Rice. He's got a great engine and has really drove that team forward over the last two seasons.
Which player has impressed you most this season so far?
For me it's Luis Diaz, he's been the only one who looks fully sharp and capable of unlocking the opposition. He's got everything in his locker and reminds me very much of Luis Suarez in his will to win.
We've also got to give huge respect to Harvey Elliot as well. He’s started like he did last year until he had that nightmare injury at Leeds. His commitment is superb and another one who'll go on to great things.
The club has invested a lot of money in Darwin Nunez to strengthen their forward line. Do you think he will be up to the task?
Yes, I honestly think he'll be a sensation with Liverpool once he settles in. When we played Benfica last year I was gobsmacked how good he was as was everyone around us where we sit. I’ve never seen a striker tear into our back four like that in recent seasons, he was outstanding and I honestly believe Virgil might have had a word with the gaffer after those two games. Any doubters need to remember Fabinho's sluggish form for his first three or four months when he first arrived. Always trust in Jurgen.
Mohamed Salah has not yet hit the goal trail this season. Have Liverpool still got the real player that they handed the biggest contract in their history to?
Yes they have. Mo’s hitting a bad run, it happens to the very best and you don’t go from being one the worlds best players to nothing in a matter of months. He’ll start banging them in again real soon I have no doubt about that.
You’ve been a season ticket holder for 35 years. How do you find today’s match-going experience compared to when you first started going?
I started on the Kop and in my early years it was all I lived for. They were unbelievable times as a kid growing up on the Kop walking up those steps was the pinnacle of your week. I grew up with Liverpool being the best in the land and beyond and only paying £3 to get in every week.
Hillsborough changed everything. Me and my mates were there and it was honestly the worst day of my life. After that all stadiums went all seater and as time went by the atmosphere in grounds declined.
Obviously I get frustrated like the next man about the ticket situation for away games. I’ve been to four of the five European cup finals since 2005 and never qualified for one ticket and there's not much chance of getting an away match ticket for the league either. The club needs to get more kids going the game at cheap prices. The youth bring the atmosphere.
After a month of the season, what are your expectations of what Liverpool can achieve this season?
I'm expecting us to get our act together soon once key players get over injuries. Right at this moment we look a mile off challenging but don't forget that in January Man City were 14 points clear and we all thought there was no chance we could claw that back, but we did and they pipped is to the title by one point. I know we're frustrated and not use to this current form but It's September and we're six points behind the leaders. Keep the faith.
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