Saturday's 3-0 win over Crystal Palace was the perfect flashback to those who didn't believe in Jurgen Klopp's off-the-bench prowess as his main opponent
No Trent Alexander-Arnold, no Andy Robertson, no Joel Matip. As far as Liverpool is concerned, there is no problem.
Jurgen Klopp's men returned to familiar territory. The best in the Premier League, winning games and reminding the world that those who take them out of this season's title fight are best thought again.
Although City drew at home to Southampton on Saturday, the Reds were able to make the most of that. They beat Crystal Palace 3-0, taking them to the top.
Those who doubt the strength and depth of the Liverpool squad may need to revise their views. For Klopp's side, it was three wins in 7 days, with the manager able to rotate and readjust throughout the process.
For this game, he changed the entire defense.
Virgil van Dijk is back after a break in the Champions League win over AC Milan in midweek and the Dutchman has a new centre-back partner in Ibrahima Conat, the player he signed from Leipzig this summer as his Reds debut.
Liverpool's world-class full-backs are not on the pitch. Trent Alexander Arnold woke up feeling unwell – the club confirmed that it was not Covid-19 – while Andy Robertson was left on the bench after heavy lifting for club and national teams.
It's the first time Liverpool have started a Premier League game without the duo since December 2018 and the first time at Anfield since November 2017, but Klopp will be delighted to see how his substitutes perform.
Costas Zimikas scored two goals, while James Milner, a reluctant right-back and a veteran, performed admirably against dangerous Wilfrid Zaha as dangerous figures in the palace were held back.
The 35-year-old remains a key figure around Klopp, bringing experience, versatility and hunger to the table at all times.
How Much Anfield enjoyed it, even though the palace kept the home team honest for most of the afternoon. It wasn't until the 78th minute that Liverpool scored a crucial second goal, and Mo salah's celebration – happily taking off his shirt – said a lot.
Salah scored 99 Premier League goals for Liverpool, while Sadio Mane had earlier scored his 100th goal in all competitions at the club.
The Senegalese star has recently been criticised for missing out on chances, but he has completed important chances here. Mane now has scored in nine consecutive games against Palace, a Premier League record.
Klopp will be happy to see his main player sacked and Diogo Jota should also be on their scoring list, but he will also be happy to see his other player, Nabi Keita, end the victory with great style.
Keita replaced Thiago Alcantara, who was injured after the hour marker, and scored his first goal in nearly 14 months with a beautiful left-foot volley a few minutes later.
All in all, it was a good day for the Reds, who were able to give Matip and Alexander-Arnold a day off and still boasted about Robertson, Jogomes, Alex Oxlad Chamberlain and Takushi Minamino as substitutes.
It may only be September, but these seem like the most important weeks. With City down five points, the pressure is already on the defending champions. Guardiola's side will visit Chelsea next weekend before heading to Anfield on 3 October for a coveted journey.
As for Liverpool, they will be happy to keep trying. Klopp will rotate in Norwich in the Carabao Cup, with the likes of Gomez, Chamberlain, Takushi Minamino and Curtis Jones all looking to play and knowing that winning at Brentford next Saturday will set them up for their trip to Manchester City.
They have the opportunity to take big action over the next two weeks.
It may not be a compelling summer, but it is certainly a compelling start to the campaign. Four wins in five sets, scoring 12 goals and conceding only one.
They don't even need their full artillery to accomplish this task. What does that say about your Reds' quality this season?