Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey says that the Merseyside club have the attacking firepower to win this season's Premier League title, but he has genuine concerns about their defensive frailties.
Going into the international break, Liverpool hold a one-point lead at the top of the table from Chelsea, with eight wins and only one defeat in 11 games.
Heskey, who won five major trophies during four years at the Reds, including the 2001 UEFA Cup, believes that the current squad are as good as the Luis Suarez-inspired side of 2013-14 who finished a close second behind Manchester City.
"If you're looking at the attacking side of that team, compared to this one, it's pretty much similar," Heskey told ESPN FC in Singapore, ahead of Saturday's Battle of Europe Masters game.
"Going forward they are immense, with their front three, whoever it is, whether it's [Sadio] Mane, [Roberto] Firmino and [Philippe] Coutinho. But when [Daniel] Sturridge comes in, [Divorck] Origi, players like that, they're still as fluid."
Heskey credited German manager Jurgen Klopp, in his first full season with the club, for transforming Liverpool's fortunes as they chase their first top-flight title since 1990.
"I think the Klopp effect is starting to kick in," Heskey said. "He's taken his team and really solidified what he wants them to do, and where he wants them. There's a lot of passion. You can see that from him on the sideline, and that's oozing onto the players on the pitch."
But Liverpool have leaked 14 league goals this season, more than any other team in the top seven, and that concerns Heskey, who believes it's an area that needs improving.
"The only [doubt] for me is they still concede goals," he said. "But if they're going to concede two, they're going to score four. It could be their year this year."
Heskey, 38, retired from professional football in May after parting ways with second-tier Bolton Wanderers. Having earned 62 England caps, he will lead the line for the England Masters against Germany Masters in the Battle of Europe 2016 at Singapore's National Stadium on Saturday evening.
Liverpool's next Premier League match is on Nov. 19, away to Southampton.