Liverpool has been told that the outcome of its next two Premier League fixtures will decide whether it is a title contender this season.

The Reds have started the new campaign in fine fashion with six wins from seven games and maintained their one point lead at the top of the table with Saturday's 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

There have already been victories over Ipswich, Brentford, Bournemouth and Wolves, while there was an impressive 3-0 win away to Manchester United, yet Liverpool is yet to really come up against a strong force in the league under Arne Slot.

However, that will change once the October international break is over, with the Reds set to take on Chelsea, Arsenal, Brighton and Aston Villa in its next four Premier League fixtures, with the first two, in particular, earmarked as real tough tests for Slot's side.

Chelsea has started the season well with 14 points from its first seven games, while Arsenal is just a point behind Liverpool in the table after winning five matches so far, leaving pundit Micah Richards to suggest those two games will be a real indicator of where the Reds are at.

Speaking on Match of the Day, he said: "The thing is, Chelsea and Arsenal (are) next. That's when we're going to judge them. But they look good, in a different way to Klopp - more slower pace through the lines, slower build up and all that sort of thing, but they're doing well."

Similar to its run of fixtures since the last international break, Liverpool will also have to juggle midweek commitments in the Champions League and Carabao Cup during its gruelling Premier League fixture schedule on its return to action in two weeks' time.

That includes trips to RB Leipzig and Brighton either side of a huge showdown with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on October 27, before Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen visit Anfield ahead of another tasty-looking tie with Aston Villa just a few days later.

Liverpool would usually be heading into their home clash with Chelsea as favorites given the visitors' slump in recent years, but a good start to the campaign under new boss Enzo Maresca has made it a dangerous opponent this season.

Likewise, a trip to face Mikel Arteta's Arsenal will also be a real test of Liverpool's title credentials this season, with the Gunners expected to compete for the league for a third year in a row.