Liverpool enter the 11th week of the 2023-24 Premier League season in fourth place, just three points back of leaders Tottenham.
While there are still plenty of matches left to be played, the early season turnaround is encouraging for the Reds after they finished fifth in 2022-23.
Liverpool appear ready to mount a title challenge, with Spurs, second-place Manchester City and third-place Arsenal as their main rivals.
However, a longtime former Premier League player has his doubts about the Reds as a true title threat this season — despite giving them credit for their rapid turnaround.
"I think Liverpool have had a very good start to the season," Bacary Sagna told Genting Casino.
"They are performing well at the moment. Liverpool were challenging Manchester City for a few years – they won the Premier League title and the Champions League in this period.
"They were magnificent, but all things come to an end, and you have to start again."
Sagna, a former Arsenal and Manchester City defender, does think that Liverpool will soon be in among the top teams in the league after reinventing themselves, but he feels the side require more experience together before mounting a credible title challenge.
"This Liverpool team is not even eighteen months into that process of its development," he said.
"Last season they started from zero. This season they are doing better and next season they will do even better because the team is developing together.
"I think there are better teams in the league than Liverpool this season. They have improved.
"Darwin Nunez is developing nicely, and the other new players look more confident. They are building towards something.
"I think Liverpool will only get better and better, but I don’t think they will be challenging for the title this year. Next year they will be ready."