League-leading Liverpool can put pressure on the teams chasing them with victory at Crystal Palace in the weekend’s opening game on Saturday, but manager Arne Slot said he and his players are not revelling in their position this early in the season.

Slot’s team have 15 points atop the English Premier League table after six games, one ahead of champions Manchester City and Arsenal.

“We’re Liverpool,” Slot told reporters on Friday. “So players here are used to on top of the table. So would be very weird if a player at Liverpool is all of a sudden with his head in the clouds.

“These players are experienced enough to understand the league table after six games as well, and the schedule we had compared to some other teams. Second of all, (many of them) won the league here, they won the Champions League here.”

Slot has had a superb start as Liverpool, known as The Reds, manager, leading his team to eight wins in nine games across all competitions. No other Liverpool manager has ever enjoyed such a successful start.

He expects Oliver Glasner’s Palace to be stiff competition, particularly because it has been a busy week for Liverpool who beat Bologna 2-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday.

“It’s a difficult one for us, 12.30pm kick-off (5pm IST) after playing on Wednesday in the Champions League, facing a team that had the whole week to prepare,” Slot said.

“But that is part of working at a top club that we face those teams and we have to be ready for those teams and that’s what we are (going to do) tomorrow (Saturday).”

Slot praised both Mohamed Salah, who set up Alexis Mac Allister’s goal and scored himself, and midfielder Ryan Gravenberch for their performances against Bologna.

“Why players play well has first of all to do with the quality they have,” Slot said. “So Mo has a lot of quality. Ryan has a lot of quality. Actually, every player who plays here is of a high quality.

Guarded Guardiola

Pep Guardiola remained tight-lipped about his future as Manchester City manager on Friday, amid speculation he may leave soon with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.

City, who host Fulham on Saturday, are second in the table.

“I’m not going to talk about this subject, when it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen,” Guardiola said about leaving.

The Spaniard defended City, who are embroiled in a hearing over alleged breaches of the league’s financial fair play rules which could potentially see them face points deductions, a fine and relegation if found guilty.

“I’m part of this club, deep inside of my bones and the best way to defend the club is winning games and doing my job as best as possible,” Guardiola told reporters.

“Of course, I am going to defend my club, I trust (them ... all the people working here, for many, many years. The best way to defend is by
doing our job the best, everyone working here has their responsibility.

“I love this club and it will always be that way.”

Fans are desperate to keep the Catalan manager, some hoisting a banner at Etihad Stadium imploring him to stay.

“They have to bring me the bill, I have to pay for the banner,” Guardiola said.

Candid Maresca

Chelsea are improving but the London side are not yet ready to compete with top clubs like Manchester City and Arsenal, manager Enzo Maresca said.

Chelsea, who finished sixth last season to miss out on the Champions League and 12th in 2022-23, are fourth in the table with 13 points from six games.

Maresca replaced Mauricio Pochettino in June and was tasked with returning Chelsea to the Champions League.

“I don’t think we can compete with City and Arsenal. City have the same manager for nine years, Arsenal for five years,” Maresca said ahead of Sunday’s game against Nottingham Forest.