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Liverpool’s Premier League title credentials will be put to the test when they host defending champions Manchester City in a top-of-the-table clash today.
The Reds have made an ominous start to their league campaign, winning six consecutive games before dropping their first points at Stamford Bridge last weekend in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea, and have already been touted as favourites to dethrone Pep Guardiola’s men.
Jürgen Klopp’s charges have evolved over the past three seasons as the German tactician slowly but surely assembled all the parts he needed to manufacture the well-oiled machine that Liverpool have become.
The most recent additions to his squad, goalkeeper Alisson and midfield dynamo Naby Keïta, have slotted into the team seamlessly and have already made a significant impact by giving the Reds more defensive solidity and industry in the engine room.
However, as Chelsea have shown in their 2-1 win over Liverpool in the EFL Cup, Klopp’s men are not unbeatable and will need to be at their very best to leapfrog league-leading City.
Guardiola’s Citizens are also unbeaten in their opening seven Premier League games, winning six, and are level on points with Liverpool, but are ahead on goal difference.
City ran away with the title last season, but the early signs this time around have shown that the likes of Liverpool and perhaps Chelsea will make the title race much more competitive.
READ: Current Man City side the best in Premier league era?
Wolverhampton Wanderers showed the rest of the league that City have flaws. The newly promoted outfit held them to a 1-1 draw at Molineux in August and, more recently, City were handed their first defeat of the season when Olympique Lyonnais shocked them 2-1 at Etihad Stadium in the Champions League.
Despite the fact that City are the champions, Klopp’s men most likely have the mental edge as they beat the Sky Blues in their last three competitive games. This will be a crucial test for both sides as they attempt to assert their dominance over the rest of the league.
Elsewhere, Arsenal will be in action at Craven Cottage for an interesting clash with Fulham.
Unai Emery’s Gunners could be suffering from a bit of fatigue after travelling all the way to Azerbaijan for their 3-0 Europa League victory over Qarabag on Thursday night. However, their league form has been impressive as they are on a five-game winning streak and will no doubt be eager to keep the good times rolling.
The Cottagers, meanwhile, will be desperate for a positive result after a streak of disappointment. After being thrashed 3-0 by City, they drew at home against Watford and followed it up with another 3-0 defeat, this time away at Everton.
Down on the south coast of England, Southampton will play host to another unbeaten Premier League side, Chelsea.
The Saints have seen their points dry up in recent weeks as they lost to Liverpool and Wolves after a 2-2 draw at home against Brighton. They now find themselves down in 16th position.
Chelsea are up in third place after winning five of their opening seven league games. Their last two results were somewhat disappointing as they drew 0-0 at West Ham before a 1-1 draw at home against Liverpool.
Maurizio Sarri’s men have been praised for their entertaining brand of attacking football this season and will presumably be eyeing a big scoreline against a Saints defence that has leaked seven goals in three games. – TEAMtalk Media
