Liverpool in late-2024 evoke memories of the late-2019 squad that clinched the club's first league title in three decades. Back then, a 3-1 home victory over Manchester City positioned Jürgen Klopp's team eight points clear of second place and nine ahead of City. In 2024, they lead by nine points and are 11 clear of City, with no pandemic disruptions anticipated. Eight players from that 2019 squad remain, and under Arne Slot, the team's football may be more controlled, but Sunday's decisive victory was executed with the high-energy style of a Klopp team. 'I knew Jürgen left the team in a very good place,' said the diplomatic Dutchman afterward.
While Slot is experiencing his inaugural Premier League season, Pep Guardiola faced 'sacked in the morning' chants, a familiar rite for any English football figure. Even Alex Ferguson endured it in October 2005 after a 4-1 loss to Middlesbrough, which led to Roy Keane's departure. Ferguson recovered with a 1-0 win over José Mourinho's Chelsea. Guardiola hoped for a similar turnaround at Anfield, but his depleted squad seemed incapable of mounting a comeback. At Anfield, City were ineffective, and recent defensive errors persisted. 'If I don't want that pressure, I resign, go home and I don't have this weight on my shoulders,' Guardiola said before the match. Is a sacrificial figure like Keane needed? Kevin De Bruyne's reduced role continues to spark curiosity.
The growing importance of set-piece specialists is evident. A noted Premier League corner and free-kick coach was recently seen signing autographs outside a stadium. At West Ham, Nicolas Jover's 'blitz' call for Arsenal's opener, repeated in the first half, caught attention. When Gabriel Magalhães scored, Pablo Sanz, West Ham's set-piece expert, looked dismayed. Though the NFL-style move was publicized for the first time, Julen Lopetegui claimed he and Sanz were prepared. Lopetegui argued the goal should not have stood due to Lucas Paquetá's block on Jurrien Timber, and it was unclear how VAR missed the clear offense.
Life seems better when a £106.7m midfielder finally justifies his price tag. Enzo Fernández, the Argentina international, joined Chelsea in January 2023, a month after winning the World Cup, but initially struggled to meet expectations. A series of underwhelming performances and hernia surgery raised doubts. This season, however, Fernández has regained his starting spot and scored in consecutive games, responding to Enzo Maresca's demands for more forward runs and contributing crucial assists.
Everton's 4-0 loss to Manchester United showcased their defensive lapses, allowing their hosts to capitalize frequently. Amad Diallo's exploit against James Tarkowski led to Joshua Zirkzee's second goal. As Sean Dyche noted, 'It is a real hard one for me to take today because we were attacking for their first goal and then got countered on. I was very surprised to go 1-0 down in that way and then it was a glaring mistake.'
Son Heung-min has scored three league goals this season and provided four assists, but his impact has been less incisive than in previous seasons. At 32, there is a sense that while he still has much to offer, a gradual decline has begun. 'I don't have a sense from him that he's worried about it,' said Ange Postecoglou. 'We've had different players go through those spells. The key is to maintain our focus and not worry too much about what's gone before. I'm sure the goals will flow again.'
Justin Kluivert's hat-trick of penalties for Bournemouth made history, but Evanilson's role in winning all three penalties also did, becoming the first to achieve this in a single Premier League game. 'Crazy ... crazy ... crazy,' said Gary O'Neil about his team's defending. After an unbeaten run of four matches and a 4-1 win over Fulham, Bournemouth returned to their earlier chaotic defending and poor decision-making.
Brentford have transformed their home ground into a fortress this season under Thomas Frank's guidance. The manager's ability to integrate talents like Kevin Schade and rotate attacking players has silenced critics who attributed his success to Ivan Toney's goals. Without Toney, Brentford have scored three or more goals in four consecutive home league matches for the first time since 1984 and top the home league table. 'I think I have some good challenges because I have a lot of good offensive players that want to play,' said Frank.
Eddie Howe is rightly concerned about Newcastle's lack of goals, despite Alexander Isak's hip injury not appearing serious. Newcastle managed only 14 goals in 13 Premier League matches, profiting from Marc Guéhi's own goal at Selhurst Park but offering little else in attack. The return of Callum Wilson should help, but Howe acknowledged the need to boost his team's confidence before facing Liverpool.
Jota Silva's arrival at Nottingham Forest for £6.5m this summer shows a serious transfer strategy. The Portuguese winger has shown potential worth more than his price tag. Nuno Espírito Santo gave him his first Premier League start against Ipswich, where he demonstrated speed and energy, earning the match-winning penalty.
Brighton's Fabian Hürzeler was in no mood to celebrate their second-place standing after a draw with bottom-side Southampton. The German's side has struggled to defeat lower-half teams at home, with draws against Ipswich and Wolves. 'Disappointment is part of football,' said Hürzeler. 'Negative experiences are part of the process and we didn't deserve more today, so we have to keep improving, keep pushing and try to be better in the next game.'
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