Online Reporter
PREMIER League leaders Liverpool want to win with less drama when they face neighbours Everton at Anfield today, while Arsenal look to underline their title credentials at home to Manchester City tomorrow.
Arne Slot’s side have opened the season with four straight league wins, but late goals have been the trademark. They have scored the decisive goal in the 83rd minute or later in all five matches across competitions this campaign, including Wednesday’s Champions League opener when Virgil van Dijk’s stoppage-time header sealed a 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid.
“We need to get back to winning a bit simpler and easier,” left-back Andy Robertson told TNT Sports. “The assistant manager turned to me when Virgil put it in and said he’s getting too old for it, so I can’t imagine what the fans are like.”
Everton, revitalised under David Moyes, arrive in good early-season form. History is against them, though, with just one victory in their last 28 visits to Anfield in all competitions.
While Liverpool chase a calmer afternoon, Arsenal are preparing for their own test of nerve. The Gunners were accused of playing it too safe when they lost 1-0 to Liverpool last month after calling on their fans to “make a statement.”
They get another chance to show they belong at the top when they meet Manchester City at the Emirates.
Arsenal have been runners-up in the Premier League three years in a row, finishing behind City twice. But recent head-to-head form offers encouragement. They have beaten Pep Guardiola’s men in their last two league meetings and are hunting a third straight win over City, who have not defeated them since April 2023.
City are in the middle of a rebuild after last season’s third-place finish, and victory in north London would steady their push to reclaim the title.
Further down the table, pressure keeps mounting on Manchester United and manager Ruben Amorim. Since his appointment last November, United have collected only 31 points from 31 league games. Last weekend’s heavy 3-0 defeat at City increased doubts about his future.
Former United captain Wayne Rooney said his old club have “got worse” since Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag. The Portuguese coach still has backing from the club’s hierarchy, but a poor result at home to Chelsea today could deepen the crisis. United have not lost to Chelsea in a league game at Old Trafford since 2013, yet Enzo Maresca’s side have made a confident start and are already being mentioned as dark-horse title contenders.
United’s next fixtures against Brentford and Sunderland are followed by a trip to Liverpool, leaving little room to breathe if results don’t turn.
Today’s Fixtures
(Live times): Liverpool v Everton (1:30 pm), Brighton v Tottenham, Burnley v Nottingham Forest, West Ham v Crystal Palace, Wolves v Leeds, Manchester United v Chelsea (6:30 pm), Fulham v Brentford (9 pm).
Tomorrow
Bournemouth v Newcastle, Sunderland v Aston Villa (3 pm), Arsenal v Manchester City (5:30 pm). – AFP Sport
