An interesting storyline is developing at the top of the Premier League table.

Through the opening eight matches of the 2018-19 season, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool lead the way on 20 points.

Pep Guardiola’s side have picked up where they left off last season; Chelsea’s players have quickly adapted to Maurizio Sarri’s methods; and Liverpool look primed to end their long wait to win the Premier League.

One thing that immediately stands out is that the three managers - Guardiola, Sarri and Jurgen Klopp - are all keen students of the game.

All three place huge importance on the tactical side and they’re leaving their rivals behind.

For Klopp, it was important to focus on the defensive side. Liverpool were unstoppable going forward last season and the only thing that would prevent them from being contenders was a shaky defence.

But with the arrivals of Virgil van Dijk in January and Alisson Becker in the summer, the Reds now appear ready to go toe-to-toe with Man City and Chelsea.

Liverpool's pressing rate

Liverpool are still a force in front of goal but their numbers have dropped off from last season.

Klopp’s side averaged 2.21 goals per game in the league last season. That number is down to 1.88 this season.

And Opta’s stats, highlighting the pressing rate of all 20 Premier League teams, proves that this is a different Klopp team to any other.

Per football statistician Michael Caley, pressing rate is defined as: “The percentage of new open play possessions for the opposition in which they don't complete three passes in a row (and don't get off a shot or cross).”

Liverpool’s pressing rate this season is 46 per cent, which is lower than Watford, Fulham and Crystal Palace.

Caley adds that Klopp’s teams since 2010-11, so including some of his Borussia Dortmund sides, have averaged a pressing rate of 52 per cent. Only one has been less than 50 per cent.

So the fact that the current Liverpool team’s pressing rate is 46 per cent is pretty interesting.

It suggests that Klopp’s team is choosing its pressing moments more carefully than in recent seasons.

Chelsea and Man City lead the way with 55 per cent and 54 per cent pressing rates respectively.

But pressing often isn’t an indicator of a team’s success.

Wolves’ pressing rate is third-bottom at 38 per cent, yet Nuno Espirito Santo’s side is currently seventh in the Premier League table.

Teams are finding various ways to win football matches these days.