Liverpool have surged after a dramatic weekend by which for the fourth recreation in a row and .
Arne Slot has loved a high quality begin within the post-Jurgen Klopp period with Liverpool 5 factors clear on the high going into the worldwide break. Bookmakers put Liverpool favourites for the title – however can they final the gap?
Telegraph Sport’s soccer consultants have their say on the vacation spot of the league title and can return Manchester United to the highest 4.
Title winners
I stated Arsenal in the beginning of the season and I’m not going to vary my thoughts after 11 video games – despite the fact that they’ve loads of work to do. Mikel Arteta , however I do assume Liverpool will wobble at some stage. They have been lucky in opposition to Brighton and Chelsea, whereas Aston Villa ought to have been awarded a penalty in opposition to them.
Manchester Metropolis are within the midst of a wobble, beset by accidents, low on confidence and will probably be with out their most influential participant Rodri for your entire season so the chance that presents itself for the remainder of the pack is obvious. Late autumn blips are nothing new on the Etihad Stadium, although, and as soon as gamers come again they’re nonetheless more likely to be the staff to beat though it should in all probability be very shut till the top.
A possible curveball for Metropolis is that if supervisor Pep Guardiola reveals he’s leaving on the finish of the season – and a fifth straight title shot may very well be rendered tutorial of their authorized battle with the Premier League and docked factors.
Liverpool have made a superb begin and seem the favourites after 11 video games however we’ve all learnt to by no means write off Manchester Metropolis. Historically, they at all times hit their stride within the second half of the marketing campaign and I’m nonetheless anticipating them to kick into gear on the enterprise finish.
I went for Arsenal in the beginning of the season and would have had Manchester Metropolis as my runners up, however Liverpool have been the excellent facet to date. When you go on the proof we’ve seen to date, Slot’s facet are the brand new favourites. He has benefited from Klopp’s work earlier than him, however a contemporary voice and new concepts has reinvigorated the gamers and Anfield senses one thing particular is going on.
In reality, it’s too early to make a definitive judgement. Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis stay formidable opponents and will not be reduce adrift by any stretch of the creativeness. Metropolis, particularly, are likely to have a wobble at this stage of the season and at all times end the season higher than they began. And don’t write off Arsenal; they’ve had a gruelling run of fixtures and can come once more.
Straightforward to get enthusiastic about Manchester Metropolis having a wobble after the clocks return; we appear to do it yearly. This season’s model is extra extreme and the damage of Rodri deprives Guardiola of his MVP. However there’s nonetheless a switch window and the best tactical thoughts of a technology to assist repair the present points.
Maybe it is a 12 months the place barely fewer factors wins the league? Instinctively you’re feeling that may profit Arsenal or Liverpool, two groups disadvantaged of titles which they’d have gained in any period earlier than Guardiola’s. I’d nonetheless again Metropolis to proper their ship and sail serenely by way of the second half of the season.
Prime 4
Chelsea have put themselves in an amazing place to essentially push for a top-four place, particularly as European soccer seems to be impacting Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.
Brighton and Fulham are having high quality seasons to this point and Aston Villa are more likely to be within the combine but it surely’s laborious to look previous Metropolis, present leaders Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea for these Champions League positions. They’ve the 4 strongest squads within the Premier League.
I’ve been impressed with Enzo Maresca’s begin at Chelsea and he appears to have discovered a system to make all of it work, whereas additionally possessing the very best participant within the league in Cole Palmer. I don’t assume United’s squad is sweet sufficient to maintain a top-four push. My darkish horses could be Newcastle – if they will preserve Alexander Isak match.
I don’t write the highest three in strict order, they may all end first, second or third, however they would be the high three in Could. Fourth is much tougher to foretell.
The darkish horses, as they have been two years in the past, are Newcastle. Not enjoying in Europe provides them extra time to get better and put together. Which is right for Howe’s type of play and means he can shield his greatest gamers to an extent. That is how they completed fourth in 2023.
However Chelsea’s squad, on paper, is much stronger than Newcastle, Manchester United, Tottenham and Aston Villa who’re the opposite contenders. Enzo Maresca appears to have gotten to grips with issues within the dressing room and so they solely have the Convention League to fret about midweek – a contest they need to be capable of win whereas not over exerting themselves.
Manchester United are the others who may simply sneak in with . They don’t seem to be as unhealthy as Erik ten Hag made them look. Spurs look horribly inconsistent underneath Ange Postecoglou, whereas Villa are going to be stretched and distracted enjoying within the Champions League.
Nottingham Forest have the look of a staff benefiting from momentum and a brand new method which could lose effectiveness once they play everybody for the second time. Brighton and Spurs must be credible threats for the European locations, Villa probably affected by their exertions in Europe. May see Newcastle turning into essentially the most sustained challengers for a Champions League place, and fifth could also be sufficient if English golf equipment go far in Europe.
Nottingham Forest have the look of a staff benefiting from momentum and a brand new method which could lose effectiveness once they play everybody for the second time. Brighton and Spurs must be credible threats for the European locations, Villa probably affected by their exertions in Europe. May see Newcastle turning into essentially the most sustained challengers for a Champions League place, and fifth could also be sufficient if English golf equipment go far in Europe.