'The wins may be narrow, but they are still wins'

A Liverpool-related question was put to BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty in Monday's Q&A.

Rich asked: Morning Phil, I’m noticing more often, the Liverpool game yesterday an example, that sides are going against a strong press and tending to sit and wait a lot more. Is this a worry for managers that like to play out from the back, draw sides in and counter-attack, like Manchester City. We’ve seen in a few games recently that they struggle when having to break teams down that set up shop in this way. Do these teams need a plan B?

Phil answered: Hi, Rich. I think Liverpool are going to be interesting viewing this season because they are adopting a more measured, composed approach themselves, rather than the thrilling full-tilt approach under Jurgen Klopp.

The wins may be narrow, but they are still wins, and yesterday was a big test against a Chelsea side I think will be challenging for the top four.

Liverpool have the players to adopt a “plan B” without a doubt and I’m sure Arne Slot can be adaptable – and with players of the calibre of Mohamed Salah there is every chance “plan A” will work eventually.

Liverpool have such attacking quality that sitting back against them is a dangerous game as they have players, such as Salah, capable of producing that one moment of class to win a game.

Read more of the Q&A with Phil and the rest of the day's football news