Premier League: Liverpool’s Record-Breaking Start Faces Test Against Chelsea
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has made a record-breaking debut at Anfield, but he remains cautious, noting that his team has yet to face a top opponent. This will soon change with the in-form Chelsea visiting.
Slot, the first Liverpool manager to win nine of his first ten matches, now faces a challenging schedule of ten games across three competitions that could significantly impact the season. Currently, Liverpool leads the league with 18 points from seven games, scoring 13 goals and conceding just two, edging ahead of Manchester City and Arsenal, while Chelsea sits fourth with 14 points.
“I looked at the league table and considered which teams we faced so far and their standings,” Slot commented. “We still have many tough opponents ahead. Let’s see how we fare when we start conceding goals, as the fixture schedule has been favorable so far.”
Chelsea arrives after winning all three of their away league matches this season, with a combined score of 10-2. Liverpool’s difficult stretch includes a trip to Arsenal on October 27 and a home match against Manchester City on December 1. This challenging run is compounded by the expected absence of first-choice goalkeeper Alisson, who will likely miss several matches due to a hamstring injury, returning only for the league game against Southampton on November 24.
Despite Alisson’s injury, Slot expresses confidence in his backup, Ireland international Caoimhin Kelleher. “Alisson is our clear No. 1 and the best goalkeeper in the world, so his injury is a blow. However, we have strong alternatives in most positions,” he said, praising Kelleher’s capabilities.
Other Key Matches
In another must-watch fixture, Manchester United faces Brentford amid ongoing speculation about manager Erik ten Hag’s future. Following a dismal 3-0 loss to Tottenham, United managed a goalless draw against Aston Villa, providing some relief before the international break.
Arsenal will visit Bournemouth with concerns surrounding Bukayo Saka’s fitness after he suffered a hamstring injury in England’s Nations League match. Meanwhile, Manchester City hopes to welcome back Kevin De Bruyne for their trip to Wolverhampton after he missed a month due to a hamstring issue.
At the bottom of the table, Ipswich Town, Crystal Palace, Southampton, and Wolves are still searching for their first league win this season, with Ipswich presented with the best opportunity when they host Everton, who are just above them in the standings.
