After the uproar over VAR this week, it was wonderful to get down to business and see Liverpool make it two wins out of two in the Europa League.

It wasn’t quite a vintage performance, but goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota ensured the Reds got the job done against Union SG, putting them in first place in their group.

That is also a luxury that should not be taken for granted. There is a significant difference between placing first and second in your Europa League group, with the runner-up having to play an additional game against one of the Champions League dropouts.

Jürgen Klopp will undoubtedly want to prevent that as he strives to keep Liverpool in the Premier League’s top four this season, which would guarantee a return to Europe’s top table for next season. Indeed, he can make significant progress toward that goal during the next month or so.

The trip to Brighton on Sunday will undoubtedly be a big test, but after that, home games against Everton and Nottingham Forest, with a home game against Toulouse wedged in between, give a terrific opportunity to pile on the points.

Then, in November, a Carabao Cup match against Bournemouth and a trip to Luton precede the return match with Toulouse, followed by a home game against Brentford and the biggest test of them – Manchester City. However, by that time, the Reds should have enhanced their top-four position and earned a place in Europe.

In comparison, Arsenal faces Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle, and a double-header with Sevilla over that stretch, while Manchester United also faces City while fighting for its Champions League survival. Manchester City, while a foregone conclusion, will be challenged for the title by Brighton, Manchester United, and Chelsea.

The following month is a perfect opportunity for Liverpool to consolidate its lead over its opponents. To paraphrase an old cliche, it’s one game at a time, and Brighton will not be taken lightly.

If the Reds can get past Roberto De Zerbi’s men, they will have gone a long way toward correcting last season’s biggest mistake. There appears to be a significant difference between Liverpool, Manchester City, and the others, but the Reds might make it look even more clear in the coming weeks.

Is Liverpool truly on track to return to its pre-last-season form right away? If the positive performances continue, Klopp will be unable to evade the question for much longer.

Liverpool must win all three games against Brighton and Manchester City. A championship attempt will also require at least four points from each side’s fixtures.