The statistics show Liverpool have had it easy so far, but now Arne Slot faces a real horror test.

Liverpool have thrived under Arne Slot, but their upcoming schedule will truly test their mettle.

The red ones returns from the October international break as leader of the Premier League thanks to six wins in its first seven games.

It has been a hugely encouraging start to the post-Jurgen Klopp era, with Slot He is already delivering results four months after taking over as head coach at Anfield.

Manchester City and Arsenal are set for another title race, but Liverpool fans will believe they are worthy of taking the crown too.

However, the statistics show that their first run of matches has been favorable and the next schedule will be a great challenge.

Slot Top Reds

Liverpool's first test of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign was a trip to newly promoted Ipswich Town, which they won 2-0.

They managed the same scoreline at home to Brentford before a 3-0 win at arch-rivals Manchester United affirmed their quality on the pitch.

Slot's team bounced back from a home defeat to Nottingham Forest by claiming subsequent wins over Bournemouth, Wolves and Crystal Palace.

Liverpool's 18 points are the highest figure, but Opta statistics have compared it to the quality of its rival so far this season.

Their opponents' average rating stands at around 84.5, the lowest of the 20 Premier League teams.

In comparison, Wolves sit first with a score of just under 90, having faced the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa.

Opta's median points and opposition rating sit at 10 and around 87.5 respectively, with Spurs the only team to meet both metrics.

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Liverpool have been able to achieve good results in the statistically easier first seven games to help consolidate first place.

Slot has recognized its preferred schedule, speaking via Reuters: “I looked at the league standings and thought, 'Well, what teams have we faced so far and what position are they in? Are they in the top half or the bottom half?'

“There are a lot of difficult teams we still have to face…let's see where we are in terms of conceding goals because maybe the match schedule has been 'nice' for us when you look at the league standings.”

But the picture could be very different in the run-up to the festive period as the Merseyside giants prepare for a testing few weeks.

A rude awakening?

Liverpool's first game after the international break is a clash at home on sunday against an impressive fourth-placed Chelsea.

Then follows a tough journey to title contenders Arsenal before hosting European qualification contenders Brighton and Villa.

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There may be a period of respite when they visit struggling Southampton, but it will be short-lived as they next face rivals City.

Newcastle precedes the Merseyside derby against Everton at Goodison Park, before meetings with Fulham and Tottenham.

This ten-game run has been statistically rated as the toughest in the Premier League with an average opponent rating of 89.8.

Southampton are closest at 89.2 as they face seven of the same teams as Liverpool, with Leicester having the easiest run at 86.0.

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All but two of the Reds' next ten opponents are currently in the top half of the Premier League table.

Champions League clashes against RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, Real Madrid and Girona also pose challenges, along with a Carabao Cup last-16 match in Brighton.

Slot will therefore prepare for a very demanding period at the club which begins this weekend at Anfield.

Opta's current final Premier League predictions for the end of the season put Liverpool in first place and if they continue their form in the coming weeks, title glory could certainly come in May.

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