Liverpool 3-0 Southampton

The expectations have had a habit of suffocating the life out of Liverpool at moments like this. The absence of a league trophy these past 28 years has created what Jamie Carragher once described as a 'gaping, lingering void' and just a few wins - never mind the opening seven games for the first time in the club's history - does something to the dreamers in such a profoundly optimistic place.

It's why the composure was just as significant as the points, as the club equalled their best ever start to a league campaign since Bill Shankly was pulling up trees in the old Second Division, 57 years ago.

The exertions of overcoming Paris Saint-Germain did look to have taken a toll for a side whose preparations were limited by Storm Ali battering Melwood at their designated training time on Friday.