MANCHESTER, England (AP) — The first doubts are starting to emerge about Liverpool’s Premier League title defense. 3 consecutive losses.
Manchester United look like they won’t be able to get past one more defeat. another crisis.
That is the backdrop to the latest clash between the fiercest rivals in English football.
At Anfield on Sunday, Liverpool will be looking to prevent their early-season slump from turning into something more serious, while United will be looking to regain momentum under manager Ruben Amorim.
Liverpool suffered another defeat in the Champions League with late defeats to Crystal Palace and Chelsea before the international break. This was the club’s worst performance under manager Arne Slott, who had a near-perfect record in his title-winning first season.
After spending more than $400 million over the summer, the Dutchman has seen a string of late-game frenzied wins turn into late-game collapses – the most recent being against Chelsea at the start of the month.
Strange as it may sound, Slott may welcome United’s visit, even considering the added pressure of the iconic rivalry. United are without a win in their last 10 visits to Anfield, their last win coming in 2016.
Since then, there have been humiliating losses: 7-0 in 2023 and 4-0 in 2022. United achieved a morale-boosting win last time out against Sunderland, but Amorim still has to oversee a winning streak in the Premier League. Co-owner Jim Ratcliffe has supported Amorim in recent weeks.
major matches
By the time Liverpool start their game against United, they could have slipped to fifth in the table, up to four points behind leaders Arsenal, who play Fulham on Saturday.
Nottingham Forest also host Chelsea on Saturday amid mounting speculation over the status of manager Ange Postecoglou.
Manchester City are improving after a difficult start and, depending on other results, could beat Everton on Saturday to take the top spot.
Featured players
Erling Haaland can’t stop scoring. The Norway international scored a hat-trick during the international break, taking his tally to 21 in 12 appearances for club and country this season. Everton receive a warning.
In contrast, Alexander Isaac is finding it difficult to pursue his cause. British record broken From Newcastle to Liverpool, there’s only one in nine. This includes two blanks from Sweden during the international break, which means the home country will take the lead. On the verge of missing About the World Cup.
Activity suspended
Jack Grealish is in great form while on loan at Everton, but league rules stipulate that he cannot play against his parent club, meaning City could avoid the embarrassment of being dealt a player deemed fit.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has been handed a one-match touchline ban. sent off for a grand celebration He scored an stoppage-time winner against Liverpool. The Italian was fined $10,750 for the offense.
Rodri missed most of last season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, before being forced to withdraw from Spain’s squad due to a suspected hamstring injury.
Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard also missed the match against Norway during the international break after sustaining an MCL injury in his left knee.
off the field
The spotlight has been on Postecoglou after his miserable start to life at Forest. Seven games into his tenure, the former Tottenham manager is still waiting for his first win. At recent matches, there was jeers such as “He’s been sacked in the morning”, with Forest’s own fans joining in the jeers.
Postecoglou was appointed after manager Nuno Espirito Santo was sacked despite leading Forest from bottom of the table to qualification for the Champions League and Europa League. Forest are now one point above the relegation zone.
According to reports, former Burnley and Everton manager Sean Dyche is likely to take over if Postecoglou leaves.
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James Robson is https://x.com/James Saran Robson
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