Richard Keys makes u-turn and declares Liverpool are 'back on their perch'

Liverpool have already forced Richard Keys to rethink his pre-season predictions.

Described as 'Liverpool 2.0' by Klopp, given the squad’s significant changes in midfield, the early signs are that the club are on the right track

There was plenty of scepticism over how the Reds would cope with losing the likes of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho

These feelings were summed up by presenter Richard Keys in early August, who also took a bizarre dig at new captain Virgil van Dijk. “I don’t think Liverpool have got a challenge in them either.

"The rebuild was necessary, but I don’t see leaders in the team anymore,” Keys wrote

Keys added:

“Van Dijk isn’t a leader. He’s too quiet - and selfish. If he plays well that’s all that seems to matter to him. And he didn’t play well often enough last season. I thought he was way off."

“They’ll miss Henderson and [James] Milner. I know the Milner decision was driven by the stats men, but sometimes you’ve got to go with your gut. Klopp knows Milner is a loss. A big loss. But he couldn’t get his way and keep him.”

Fast forward a few weeks and Liverpool look to quickly be silencing their critics

It looks to have been enough to convince Keys, who has praised Liverpool’s new-look side.

Comparing the Reds to their bitter rivals Manchester United, he suggested that the latter could learn plenty from Klopp’s team.

Keys:

“Liverpool (II) look like the real deal again. Klopp’s rebuild has been a resounding success,”

"From a position where last season's table told us they were way behind United, they’re now back on their perch - way ahead of them, proving that you don’t always need time - you simply need to know what you’re doing.”