Liverpool’s unbeaten begin to the 2025/26 Premier League season sparked speak of them sweeping effortlessly to their second consecutive English top-flight title.
Nevertheless, the 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace on Saturday brutally uncovered their flaws. The one shock in regards to the consequence was the slim margin of victory.
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The Eagles ought to have been out of sight lengthy earlier than Federico Chiesa’s 87th-minute equaliser. Fortunately, Palace substitute Eddie Nketiah ensured justice was performed with an excellent late winner.
Palace captain Marc Guehi was a rock on the again, and his efficiency made Liverpool counterparts Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate look distinctly second-rate.
Nevertheless, the star of the present was midfielder Adam Wharton, who ran the sport. If England supervisor Thomas Tuchel thinks Jordan Henderson is a greater possibility, he ought to be sacked.
Other than striker Hug Ekitike, Liverpool’s heavy funding in new gamers through the summer time switch window is but to pay dividends.
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Florian Wirtz was nameless once more, whereas striker Alexander Isak is nicely wanting match health. Whereas they might ultimately justify their charges, time isn’t on Liverpool’s facet.
The Reds had been lucky to move into this recreation with an unblemished file after snatching a number of late victories through the early a part of the season.
Liverpool’s luck ran out at Selhurst Park as Palace took benefit of their defensive deficiencies. The consequence ought to have their title rivals rubbing their arms with glee.
Their upcoming fixture listing is filled with potential banana skins, together with a frightening journey to Manchester Metropolis on November 9.
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Though Pep Guardiola’s facet failed to supply their greatest kind through the early a part of the season, they’ve began to point out indicators of life because the worldwide break.
They wiped the ground with newly-promoted Burnley on Saturday, and can fancy their possibilities of narrowing the hole on Liverpool earlier than their assembly on the Etihad Stadium.
Successive defeats in August towards Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion already look like a distant reminiscence for Man Metropolis.
Guardiola has assembled a new-look crew, spearheaded by star striker Erling Braut Haaland, which is anticipated to enhance considerably because the season progresses.
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Whereas Liverpool might be content material with their five-point benefit over Metropolis at this early stage of the marketing campaign, that would quickly disappear over the following few weeks.
The Reds may even be wanting nervously over their shoulders at Arsenal, who demonstrated their title credentials with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Newcastle United on Sunday.
The Magpies rattled the Gunners within the first half, however supervisor Eddie Howe’s lack of ambition finally handed the initiative to their opponents.
Arsenal trailed 1-0 on the break, however late targets by Mikel Merino and Gabriel Magalhaes secured a deserved victory at St James’ Park.
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Supervisor Mikel Arteta spoke about his crew reaching a ‘’ with the victory, and it was exhausting to not be impressed with the best way his crew overcame adversity.
Newcastle had gained every of their earlier three house video games towards Arsenal in all competitions and gave the impression to be on the right track to upset the chances once more.
Nevertheless, Howe’s overly cautious nature sucked the life out of their momentum, permitting Arsenal again into the sport at an important juncture.
With a house recreation towards West Ham United subsequent on the agenda, Arsenal might be high of the desk by the point Liverpool kick off their early night fixture at Chelsea subsequent weekend.
Whereas nothing is ever determined after simply six video games, the most recent spherical of outcomes could show to be noteworthy within the context of this season’s title race.