Liverpool supporters will be waking up on Sunday feeling down in the dumps after seeing their team pick up a first defeat of the season on Saturday.
It has been a while since supporters have felt the sting of a Premier League loss, and at times that can make the disappointment feel even more acute.
On this occasion, it is not only the result which will be annoying Liverpool fans the day after the night before.
Arguably even more worrying than the last-minute loss against Crystal Palace was the performance Arne Slot‘s team delivered at Selhurst Park.
If not for Alisson Becker, Liverpool could easily have been three or four nil down by half-time on Saturday. Unfortunately, this sloppy display is not an outlier either. Despite picking up plenty of wins, the Reds have arguably not been at their best all season.
But while some fans will be stressing over how out of shape their team look at the moment, there are three clear reasons why they should not be getting themselves too worked up.
New players will find their feet for Liverpool
Part of the reason fans have been growing concerned recently is because they spent so much in bringing quality players to the Liverpool squad this summer.
So far, though, arguably the only signing to hit the ground running has been Hugo Ekitike.
READ MORE: Arne Slot pinpoints key area Liverpool really need to improve after Crystal Palace loss
Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Alexander Isak and – most of all – Florian Wirtz, have not yet clicked into gear in Liverpool shirts.
But the Reds bought these players for years, not weeks, and given how good they are, they should all be backed to find their feet sooner or later at Liverpool. It will click, and when it does, they could be unstoppable.
Arne Slot will work out his best team
Part of the reason it has been difficult for the new players – and the old ones getting used to playing with them – is because Slot has fiddled about with his starting XI plenty this season.
It is hard to see where all the pieces fit together at this moment in time for the Premier League champions, but Slot and the Liverpool coaching staff will work it out.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 15 |
| 2 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 12 |
| 3 |  TottenhamTottenham | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 11 |
| 4 |  SunderlandSunderland | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 11 |
As we saw last season, Slot very much likes to pick his best XI and then stick with it. Once he gets everyone bedded in and sorted in their best position, rhythm should follow.
The hope is that Liverpool are still in contention by the time the Dutchman settles on his side, but if they are, they could then kick on again.
Liverpool are still top of the Premier League
For all the negativity that has surrounded Liverpool matches at points this season, the Reds still sit pretty at the top of the Premier League table.
Things have clearly not been perfect, but the reasons for that are fairly obvious. Even while bedding in so much change to the team, Liverpool have managed to take 15 points from 18.
As things stand, that is enough to keep them three points clear of the chasing pack, and five ahead of both Manchester City and Arsenal, who face a tough visit to Newcastle on Sunday.
Just imagine how good they’ll be when everything comes together.
There is concern there, that is normal after some poor displays, but we should not forget that this is a new team, many of whom are still grieving for a friend and former teammate as well. It will come.
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