Premier League: Talking points from match week 30
LIVELY LIVERPOOL SET UP FOR KLOPP SEND-OFF
Liverpool’s players showed against Brighton & Hove Albion they are ready and willing to do everything in their power to give coach Jurgen Klopp a successful send-off as he enters his final months as manager.
Sunday’s comeback win featured everything that Klopp holds dear – suffocating pressure high up the field, quick decisions and no little skill from his attacking players turning a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win for the home side.
The win put Liverpool back on top of the table and the display of desire suggests they will be formidable in the title run-in.
ARSENAL SHOW STEEL TO GO WITH FLAIR
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have been rightly lauded for their free-flowing, free-scoring football this season, including 33 goals in eight successive league victories prior to playing Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday.
But against his old boss and friend Pep Guardiola’s team, Arteta pulled off a defensive masterclass in a 0-0 draw that showed Arsenal have steel to match their flair. That could prove crucial in the nine-game run-in to the season.
Arsenal restricted Man City’s much-vaunted attack, led by the frightening Erling Haaland, to merely one shot on goal: a rare feat at the Etihad. In fact, it was the first time the hosts had not scored at home in two-and-a-half years.
UNITED’S PERFORMANCE RAISES QUESTIONS FOR TEN HAG
The international break came at just the wrong time for Manchester United, who were riding high after a dramatic 4-3 win over arch-rivals Liverpool in the FA Cup.
But while that might explain a loss of momentum, it cannot excuse United’s abysmal performance at Brentford.
Had the visitors gone into the break 4-0 down, as they had in the same fixture last season, they could hardly have complained. Only profligacy from Brentford – who managed 31 shots and 85 touches in United’s box – allowed United to get an undeserved point.
Erik ten Hag avoided the question when asked how United could hope to challenge for silverware if they can be utterly dominated by a side in a relegation battle. The problem for the Dutchman is that new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe will want answers.
POCHETTINO VENTS HIS FRUSTRATION
Mauricio Pochettino sounded a frustrated man after Chelsea’s 2-2 draw against 10-man Burnley at home on Saturday, a result that left the Blues 11th in the Premier League table and added to speculation about the Argentine’s tenure at Stamford Bridge.
Pochettino said his priority before the midweek visit of Manchester United was to instil a sense of urgency in his side when not in possession.
CALVERT-LEWIN CONFIDENCE CRISIS WEIGHING EVERTON DOWN
Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is seemingly suffering a crisis of confidence.
The 27-year-old’s three league goals so far this term – the last of them coming back in October against West Ham United – are scant return for an Everton side, who extended their winless league run to 12 games with a 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday.
Calvert-Lewin’s lack of self-belief often sees him taking an extra touch or an extra second before shooting, allowing chances to go begging – and if Everton are to stay up this season, they will need him to start taking some of them.
