Joe Allen believes Liverpool's appetite for goals, which is entrenched throughout the squad, has added a 'fear factor' to the Reds.

Brendan Rodgers' side are the division's top goalscorers, having fired an astonishing 73 times in just 28 games - the club's best ever total at this stage of a Barclays Premier League season.

That tally is the highest across all four divisions in England with Luis Suarez (24) and Daniel Sturridge (18) the top-flight's leading scorers.

"The difference this year to last year is incredible really," reflected Allen in the Liverpool Echo.

"We talked a lot last year about the ideas we were working on and at times things didn't quite click.

"But we knew with the work we were putting in it would all come together and you can see that this season.

"The combinations since the first game of this season have been spot on. You can really see the determination throughout the whole squad. Every single player is giving everything to get the required results.

"You see the hunger when we go forward - the amount of players we get arriving in the box looking to get on the scoresheet shows that great desire.

"That's the reason, along with the quality of our strikeforce, why we are scoring so many goals.

"With Suarez, Sturridge and Sterling, we have plenty of pace and the combinations and link up play is scaring every defence.

"Defenders certainly know before every game that they will be in for a tough ride and our strikers never disappoint."

After five games without a goal, Suarez was back on the scoresheet during Liverpool's 3-0 win at Southampton last Saturday.

The Uruguayan was in typically irresistible form as he inspired the Reds to a result that elevated them to second in the table following Arsenal's defeat at Stoke City earlier in the day.

Allen said: "Luis is just an incredible player and that was another special display from him.

"He's such a great player to have in your team and it was a huge win for us.

"We heard Arsenal's result on the PA system when we were warming up. That naturally gave us a boost. We kept our focus after hearing that, but we saw it as a massive chance to close the gap.

"Southampton are a very good team - both with and without the ball - but we played well. To get three goals and keep a clean sheet was testament to the way we performed at St Mary's."

Liverpool were required to show great resolve to claim three points on the south coast.

After taking an early lead through Suarez, the Reds were forced to withstand heavy pressure from Southampton - and afterwards, Rodgers pinpointed a fine save from Simon Mignolet to thwart Jay Rodriguez as one of the game's decisive moments.

"We spoke about that save in the dressing room after the game," admitted Allen.

"It was a massive moment. If Southampton had equalised at that point the outcome could have been different.

"It was an incredible save from Simon. He has been fantastic since he's come in here and those are the kind of saves which can make a big difference come the end of the season.

"We all know the quality Simon has got. As far as we're concerned he's been brilliant this season."

Liverpool will return to action next weekend with a mouth-watering trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United.

58 points have been garnered from the Anfield outfit's 28 games so far this season - another club record at this stage of a Premier League season - leading supporters to ponder what can be achieved over the remaining 10 fixtures.

"We can all dream and performances like the one at Southampton are only going to bring that dream closer I guess," Allen pondered. "As players, we are focused on every game and we want to keep churning out wins. Who knows what will happen between now and May?

"There is certainly a belief that we can beat any team.

"We went into the international break with a great three points and we are looking forward to coming back and keeping this run going.

"Everyone has been open about the fact you always aim as high as you possibly can. I think teams are certainly starting to realise we are ones to look out for."