LIVERPOOL AIM TO BEAT THE BLUES, SPURS START LIFE AFTER CONTE
▶ Jon Turner picks out the main talking points from this weekend’s round of Premier League fixtures
The Premier League returns from the international break this weekend with plenty still very much to play for as the season enters its final phase. The title race and top-four battle remain fiercely contested, while the fight for survival involves almost half of the top-flight.
When will the real Liverpool stand up?
When Liverpool destroyed Manchester United 7-0 at the start of the month, it had all the hallmarks of a season finally turning a corner.
Many expected Jurgen Klopp’s men to use that win as a springboard to string together a run of wins, and steal a place in the top four. Instead, what followed was a meek 1-0 defeat at relegation-threatened Bournemouth.
Next up for the consistently inconsistent Reds is a daunting trip to Etihad Stadium to take on champions Manchester City. All signs should point to a routine City win but with this Liverpool side, who won the reverse match at Anfield, it’s anyone’s guess.
Even if Saturday’s clash isn’t between title rivals – as it so often has been in recent years – this fixture usually delivers the fireworks, regardless of form.
Can Arsenal maintain momentum?
After losing to a woefully out of form Everton – albeit under Sean Dyche’s new management – getting beaten by title rivals City, and being held to a draw at home by Brentford in February, there was a sense that the wheels on Arsenal’s impressive season were starting to loosen ever so slightly.
How the Gunners came through their first signs of adversity would provide a strong indication of their title credentials. Twice trailing at Aston Villa, Arsenal roared back to win 4-2 to kick-start another run of five straight wins.
Mikel Arteta’s side host a Leeds side who have improved since the arrival of Javi Gracia as manager but this is another opportunity for Arsenal to take a closer step towards the title.
Arteta will just hope the international break has not stalled momentum, although the sensational form of Bukayo Saka for England would suggest he has nothing to worry about.
Brighton and Brentford in battle of ‘overachievers’
Outside of Arsenal, and arguably Newcastle, Brighton and Brentford can lay claim to being the most impressive teams so far this season. Two clubs with budgets comparatively smaller to their rivals and recent additions to the top-flight, Brighton and Brentford occupy seventh and eighth in the table.
Brighton have gone from strength to strength since Graham Potter left to become manager of Chelsea, while Brentford’s remarkable 12-match unbeaten run only came to an end this month but they bounced back with another win and a draw.
The Amex Stadium will therefore host a battle of this season’s overachievers on Saturday as both continue their unlikely, but deserved, push for European football.
Magpies face Casemiro-less Man United in battle for third
Newcastle have spent much of the season receiving plenty of deserved plaudits as Eddie Howe’s side went on a superb run to establish themselves as top-four contenders.
Recent defeats saw the Magpies dip to fifth but successive wins have put them firmly back on track to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Still in fifth, Newcastle trail fourth-placed Tottenham by two points but have played two games fewer.
The Magpies face their leading rival, at present, for third place when they welcome Manchester United to St James’ Park on Sunday. Much has been made of United’s progress under Erik ten Hag this season, but the destruction at Liverpool and being held to a goalless draw by Southampton were shocks to the system ahead of the international break.
United will also be without their midfield leader Casemiro as the Brazilian serves a suspension for his red card against the Saints.
Tottenham kick-off their post-Conte era
An era that promised so much came to a disappointing conclusion last week when Antonio Conte was sacked as Tottenham manager, a week after his brutal criticism of his players in light of a 3-3 draw at Southampton.
Conte led a revival after taking the reins at Spurs in November 2021, guiding the club to a top-four finish and qualification for the Champions League, but those foundations crumbled this campaign.
The football may have been largely uninspiring but Tottenham are still very much in contention for a top-four finish.
The job now falls on Conte’s former assistant Cristian Stellini until the end of the season, and the club will hope his encouraging record from when he previously stepped in for his old boss will continue. Stellini took charge of six games in Conte’s absence, mainly when the former manager underwent gall bladder surgery, and won four of them, including wins over Manchester City and Chelsea.
A visit on Monday to Everton, who have stabilised somewhat under Dyche, will provide an intriguing test for a coach who has spent much of his career as an assistant.