Liverpool have had to work hard to secure their victories this season, but Jermaine Pennant has full confidence in his former club.
Winning matches is not a problem for the Champions of England, but winning them easily seems like a foreign concept. Liverpool have won their opening four Premier League fixtures, as well as snatching all three points on Wednesday in the Champions League.
However, not a single one of these matches has been straightforward. The earliest winning goal Liverpool have scored so far this season was the Dominik Szoboszlai free kick against Arsenal in the 83rd minute.
Liverpool’s two most recent victories have both been thanks to goals scored in stoppage time a Mohamed Salah penalty against Burnley and a header from Virgil van Dijk
Some pundits have opted to criticise Arne Slot side for scraping through matches after poor performances, but this is not the way Jermaine Pennant sees it. The former winger, who spent three years at Anfield, believes Liverpool’s ability to score late goals should leave their opponents feeling concerned.
He told talkSPORT: “I think it’s reassuring. 100 per cent. I think if you can play average and still come away with three points that’s worrying for the teams around them because they can only go up and they’re only going to get better.”
“And if they can do it in this manner, in this way, then what happens when the team finally gels and they finally kickstart themselves?”
Pennant believes Liverpool will improve as the season progresses and he has tipped one player in particular to find some form.
“They’re going to be in great shape and a great place,” he continued. “Talking about Florian Wirtz, I thought he was very good [against Atletico Madrid]. You saw glimpses of it, of his talent, his touches, his sharpness, his skill around the box to drift past players.”
“All he’s gonna need is a cheeky goal here and the confidence that’s going to bring is going to be magnificent.”
Liverpool will be hoping to identify an easier way to secure three points in their next fixture, which is this season’s first edition of the Merseyside derby. However, Everton put up a fight during their last clash at Anfield. It was only thanks to a Diogo Jota goal that Liverpool were able to get the win.
With Everton making a strong start to the season, it could be another game where Liverpool are required to keep fighting until the very end.
