Liverpool's winning aura under Arne Slot on display: Can they keep it up vs. Real Madrid and Man City?

The Reds are Premier League favorites for now, but this week will teach us plenty about their potential, including in Europe

The feeling of inevitability that no matter what, they'd leave with three points in a Premier League game used to be reserved for Manchester City. But with City now on a five-match losing streak in all competitions, it has shifted to Anfield where Liverpool have gone eight points clear atop the Premier League under new manager Arne Slot after defeating Southampton 3-2, as the Reds look like the clear-cut favorites to win the league as we approach the holidays. 

Coming out of the international break to an away match against a team at the bottom of the table, this had all the makings of a banana peel match for the Reds and seemed like it could be going that way in the early going. Southampton pulled in front in the 56th minute via young midfielder Matheus Fernandes but then it became the Mohamed Salah show as Liverpool fought back for all three points. Scoring in the fourth straight league match for Liverpool, Salah has been in top form with 10 goals and six assists, still pacing the Liverpool attack at 32.

Alongside a strong midfield, the Reds know who they are under Slot and have been able to execute no matter the competition. A critical week is ahead facing Real Madrid in Champions League play and Manchester City in the Premier League. While Liverpool have faced challenges during this young season, it doesn't get much tougher than facing the reigning Champions League and Premier League champions in the same week.