As Liverpool prepares for a challenging-looking game at West Ham this weekend, have they reached rock bottom or have they continued to fall?
There are no indications that Arne Slot is getting a grip on the situation, which the Premier League champions have lost six of their previous seven league games.
In stark contrast, second-placed Chelsea hosts vigorous leaders who demonstrate a team’s readiness to end its two-decade title drought.
In order to prepare for this weekend’s action, AFP Sport examines three points:
The crisis in Liverpool gets worse.
By the standards of one of the biggest clubs in the world, Liverpool have lost nine of their past twelve games in all competitions.
The pressure is mounting on Liverpool manager Arne Slot just months after his reign as the club’s 20th English league champion as they approach their worst run of form in more than 70 years.
After being humiliating 4-1 by PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday, the Dutchman admitted to not having well-adjusted.
Liverpool are unable to take their chances and fail to stop defensive errors.
This season, they have conceded 34 goals in all competitions, compared to no other Premier League team.
The Hammers have been rejuvenated since Nuno Espirito Santo took over from Graham Potter in September, so Sunday’s trip to West Ham is a difficult one.
However, Liverpool, who sits only 12th in the league, is just three points clear of Aston Villa in fourth place despite their horrifying run of form.
Arsenal have depth
Arsenal are displaying signs that this season could be special, both at the top of the Premier League and in the Champions League.
The Gunners have a 76% chance of winning the Premier League since 2004, when Arsene Wenger was in charge, according to analysts Opta.
After winning 3-1 on Wednesday in the Champions League against German giants Bayern Munich, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta kept his focus on Sunday’s game at Chelsea.
The Gunners’ impressive strength was fully demonstrated in Wednesday’s victory over Bayern, which is now six-time European champions.
Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli scored two goals in the substitutes’ matches, but Arsenal still lacks several first-team players, including Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Viktor Gyokeres.
Areta, whose team leads Chelsea by six points, says he is satisfied with the resources at his disposal.
He said, “I look at the players who are entering and they can change the game.”
“We certainly have improved that, not only with the players coming in, but also with the players’ mindset,” he said.
Villa is moving forward.
Unai Emery’s managerial style has led to a dramatic turnaround after Aston Villa failed to win any of their first five Premier League games.
Villa could move up to second place in the table if the results come out against them this weekend when they face struggling Wolves.
Villa’s first four league games saw them score just one goal, but a run of six wins in seven has propelled them into the top four.
Emery’s team hasn’t been scoring crates of chances, but it’s interesting that eight of their 15 Premier League goals have so far come from outside the penalty area.
Rob Edwards, the team’s new manager, won’t be happy visiting Villa because they haven’t lost at home since August.
The Midlands side are already nine points clear of safety after collecting just two points from their 12 games so far.
Fixtures
Saturday (unless otherwise specified) 1500 GMT
Brentford face Burnley, Manchester City face Leeds, Sunderland face Bournemouth, Everton face Newcastle in 1730, and Tottenham face Fulham at the same time.
Sunday (1405 unless stated)
Crystal Palace face Manchester United at the stadium (1200), Wolves at Aston Villa at the club, Brighton at West Ham at the club, and Chelsea at Arsenal at the stadium (1630).
Source: Channels TV
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