... in most seasons we'd be comfortable and would be by far the best team in the league. As it happens, there are two abnormally good teams right now ...
Yeah. AFAIK, ours is the fifth best ever start in top flight history.
Apart from the two better PL Era starts mentioned above:
After 22 games of 1960/61, Spurs were 19W, 2D, 1L, so equivalent to 59 points @ 3 points for a win.
After 22 games of 1888/89 (which was the end of the season), Preston were 18W and 4D, so equivalent to 58 points @ 3 points for a win.
By comparison, in the season in which LFC set the record for 2 points/42 games, after 22 games of 1978/79, we were 16W, 3D and 3L, so equivalent to 51 points @ 3 points for a win. That season, we also set the top flight record for fewest goals conceded over 42 games; coincidentally, as with this season, we had let in 10 goals in first 22 games.
So, like you say, there's two truly outstanding teams at the moment. Pep's record smashers of last season have not vanished into thin air.
Up to now, every team that has had as many as 52 points after 22 games has gone on to lift the title. This season, (at least) one team which has had at least 53 points at the 22 game mark will miss out on top spot.