No team has encapsulated the re-energized transformation a new year can bring quite like Liverpool have in recent weeks.

The revitalized Reds are the only unbeaten Premier League team in 2015 and have claimed 14 of a possible 18 points – one more than current league leaders Chelsea and five more than second placed Manchester City. This turnaround is all the more remarkable given that their manager, Brendan Rodgers, faced calls for the sack just two months ago.

In the space of six days in mid-December, Liverpool’s season looked to be on the brink of collapse. Their Champions League adventure came crashing to a halt with elimination at the group stage before a comprehensive defeat to rivals Manchester United left them languishing in 10th place.

Yet since that 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford, Liverpool have stepped up a gear, winning 10 of their 16 games in all competitions. Whether they can continue in their current vein while still competing in both the Europa League and FA Cup remains to be seen.

Another team to have taken 2015 by the scruff of the neck are Southampton. Along with Chelsea, they have taken 13 points from their six league games, with notable scalps over top-four rivals Arsenal and Man United.

Ronald Koeman’s side are back in business following a slight wobble in December which threatened to spoil what was to be a glowing half term report. Their defense has been key to Saints’ success – they have soaked up an average of 13.7 shots for each goal conceded this season – a league high – and with just two goals scored against them since the turn of the year this figure doubles to a staggering 29.5 in 2015.

It is highly unlikely they will be able to maintain this level of resilience for the rest of the season, but such toughness makes them genuine contenders for the coveted UEFA Champions League spots.

Fans of Aston Villa and QPR – whose sides would both reside in the relegation zone if only 2015 matches counted – will be hoping that their new managerial appointments will reap similar rewards to those seen at Crystal Palace and West Brom.

Those two clubs, who appointed Alan Pardew and Tony Pulis respectively, both find themselves in the top nine in the 2015 league table. With 20 points between them from each of their last six matches, both Palace and the Baggies have clawed themselves away from the danger zone.

New QPR boss Chris Ramsey should make his first job persuading Les Ferdinand to put his suit away and help out on the training pitch. No Premier League side has taken more shots this year than Rangers (17.5 per match) but they have also been the fourth most wasteful, firing in 21 efforts for each goal scored in a division where the average is around 10.

Their industry up front has been mirrored by their opponents, with Rangers facing exactly the same number of shots in return – only Sunderland’s defense have had to deal with more. While this “all guns blazing” attitude will provide plenty of superfluous material for highlights packages, it is unlikely to be a successful blueprint for survival.