In the afterglow of riotous victory, a scenario that only recently would have been considered utterly outlandish can feel more plausible. Liverpool’s campaign was supposed to be one of transition, a club and squad adjusting to new management while Jürgen Klopp steadily came to terms with the helter-skelter of the Premier League. Now, on the back of a six-goal thrashing inflicted on a Southampton side of recognisable pedigree, talk of an immediate challenge for the title cannot be dismissed quite so readily.

Jürgen Klopp thrilled by Daniel Sturridge after rout of Southampton Read more

Klopp, of course, tried his best. Down at St Mary’s there were warnings aplenty of the size of the task ahead, not least that which awaits on Sunday at second-bottom Newcastle United, a team who have conceded eight across their past two outings and, to most, would appear there for the taking. The German used his post-match media duties to try to dispel the notion that he is some kind of miracle worker on the back of a solitary defeat in 11 games since taking up the reins in early October. “We do not have magic ideas,” he said. “It’s about hard work. There’s more confidence, but we can’t dream. We have to work.”

Only once did he let his guard down, and then only momentarily. A rather rambling answer kicked off by the suggestion that this team were in need of “a little luck with injuries” culminated in an admission that “the squad is actually really strong to be a challenger”. Klopp could argue that convincingly with Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino, James Milner and Nathaniel Clyne unused, Philippe Coutinho and Mamadou Sakho absent with injury, and Jordan Henderson among his substitutes. He left it hanging as to what they should realistically target: they will face Stoke City in the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup; they are safely qualified for the last 32 in the Europa League. “And we are still in the FA Cup,” he pointed out.

More tantalisingly, perhaps, is the reality they are four points from the Premier League’s top four, and only six off the top in a title race where none of the usual contenders has really built up a proper head of steam. Even now, with Chelsea horribly off the pace and those members of the established elite above Liverpool rather inconsistent, this season is starting to feel like an opportunity. And on the back of the biggest victory secured by a visiting team at St Mary’s there is clear reason for optimism.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool team have fallen behind in five matches but lost only one of those, a far better record than towards the end of Brendan Rodgers’ time as manager. Photograph: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

The focus was inevitably drawn to the forward ranks where Daniel Sturridge, on his first start under Klopp, offered reminders of his class. Imagine if – and it is a substantial if – the England striker retains his fitness until May. Given he has four goals in five games over what has been an injury-interrupted season, it is not unreasonable to expect that tally to swell beyond 15 at least if he is a regular in the time that remains.

Such bite up front, alongside that provided by Benteke, offers this team an edge. Divock Origi, scorer of a hat-trick on the south coast, has spoken one on one with the manager about the expectations on him but, while his display at St Mary’s was perhaps exceptional in terms of his Liverpool career to date, it offered a reminder of clear talent that can be realised in the future. Striving for consistency when opportunities are intermittent may initially hold the Belgian back. “But he is young, wants to learn, and he has to be patient,” said Klopp. “In 10 or 15 years, he’ll look back and not remember the games he didn’t play in this period when he was off training still.”

Glimpses of clever movement and instinctive anticipation, as much as that explosive finish for his second, bode well. Throw in Adam Lallana’s revitalised energy in midfield – the former Southampton player, heckled throughout, did not lack for personal motivation to excel – and even a defence that has shipped only eight goals in Klopp’s 11 games, shielded effectively not least by the team’s energy across midfield, and this entire group feels revived. “He has come in and put his ethos into the squad and, game by game, you have seen an improvement,” said Lallana. “But we know we still have some way to go.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Adam Lallana, here tangling with Victor Wanyama, impressed at Southampton, where he showed the energy expected of Liverpool’s midfielders. Photograph: BPI/Rex Shutterstock

Klopp made a point of bemoaning the sloppiness that had cost his team a deficit after 41 seconds, though even from that setback Liverpool will draw heart. This team used to be virtually condemned once behind. From the start of last season to Brendan Rodgers’ dismissal, they trailed in 29 matches and recovered to win only four and draw five. The other 20 were lost, including nine of the last 10 under the previous manager when the team slipped into arrears. Under the German, Liverpool have fallen behind five times in 11 matches but went on to beat Chelsea, Bordeaux and Southampton, and draw with Rubin Kazan. Only Crystal Palace have gone on to beat them so far, having twice claimed a lead at Anfield.

That statistic might feel contrived, but it is revealing. It offers an indication of the resilience and belief the new manager has instilled in a squad that, previously, was gripped too often by self-doubt. The energy Klopp demands of his players will keep them hassling and harrying opponents to the last, indicative of an underlying refusal to submit. This is a group who clearly know they can always summon a recovery. The manager can bemoan bouts of sloppiness, but he will also rejoice in the character his team are regularly displaying.

That will only occasionally provoke victories as emphatic as that enjoyed at Southampton’s expense, but Liverpool are more recognisable now as the counterattacking force who, under Rodgers, came close to claiming the title two seasons ago. Back on Halloween, in the immediate aftermath of that win at Chelsea in his fifth match in charge, Klopp had been asked almost provocatively if his team should be considered challengers. “Oh please,” he responded in mock horror. “Are you crazy? I’d prefer not to have understood that question … I’ve been here three weeks and you think, after one win at Chelsea, we should think like this?” A little over a month on and, already, such talk does not sound quite so ludicrous after all.