Based on everything I've seen so far, nobody is particular well in front of the rest. Like last season, we were great for a few weeks then got found out. No Plan B. The reality is that I expected little before the start of the season, got my hopes raised immeasurably, and now I'm starting to feel reality again in exactly the same way as I did last October/November. Too many deficiencies.
If I have to say then which team concerns me the most, who is most likely to win it, then without a shadow of a doubt, based upon everything seen so far, it has to be Liverpool.
Liverpool have already won at Arsenal and Chelsea and should have won comfortably at Tottenham. United did as United will do and stopped them playing and United will gain a lot of points that way by drawing at better teams. or scraping 1-0 wins. However, Liverpool look exhilerating at times and create an awful lot of chances. Klopp's a genius, I've always said it, and he could well be the thing that makes the difference. He's the best manager in the business right now and marry that with a very decent team and it's only a matter of time.
Tottenham look great at times but I just have doubts about their mental fragility. I don't have any doubts about Arsenal's mental fragility. It just isn't strong enough. If I had to name the other most serious challenger, it's Chelsea, although I think it may be a year too soon for them.
United, well I just can't see them flourishing under Mourinho. Pragmatism isn't going to win him the title with this set of players he has. I've never known a United side create so few chances and their ethos is to win things by scoring and entertaining. Luckily for them, they're not out of the race purely because there is no other clear outstanding candidate.
I've come to a (cowardly, perhaps) conclusion that we have too many things that need addressing to win it this year, not least ending this run of ours that is becoming a huge burden, and that Klopp's work is a year ahead of Pep's. I'd be hugely disappointed if we don't win it within eighteen months but am already accepting that the chances are that Liverpool are going to do it this year.
Like it or lump it, this Liverpool outfit is the real deal.