Ahead of every weekend this season I will give you my three thoughts on what’s going on in the Premier League. These might not always be the biggest stories, but rather my personal observations as the games approach each Saturday.
Here’s what makes me somewhat intrigued ahead of Matchday 13.
Showdown at Anfield
Liverpool host Chelsea on Saturday, and there are a couple of stats to keep in mind. Liverpool is unbeaten in five against the Blues, but both wins came at Stamford Bridge, while at Anfield, Chelsea is also unbeaten in five contests. Make of those numbers what you will.
Both these teams have had strange seasons to date. Chelsea, despite our best efforts to suggest otherwise, didn’t ever fall into crisis mode, and in fact are on a four-match win streak. Liverpool’s recent improvement in defence saw the Reds go on a three-game unbeaten run, although that was all undone when they conceded three second-half goals to Sevilla midweek in the Champions League.
All this adds up to a big-time match, with Chelsea as the favourites. However, as we keep being told, Liverpool have the best record against the “top six clubs” since Jurgen Klopp took over. Less impressive are the recent nine goals shipped against Manchester City and Tottenham.
Enough numbers for one post, so I’ll just end this thought by saying that my gut tells me Chelsea will win on Saturday, and win convincingly.
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Salah’s revenge
Mohamed Salah must be looking forward to playing against his former team. In 13 matches for Chelsea, Salah only scored two goals, but he was never really given a chance.
Of course, upon leaving the Premier League he tore up Serie A with Roma, and has torn up English football since returning. Liverpool’s speedster has already scored 14 goals this season (nine in the Premier League) and he represents, arguably, the best bit of business any club did last summer.
Salah really looks to be “one that got away” from Chelsea, although that is big club. Just imagine if Salah was playing this way at Chelsea alongside Kevin De Bruyne, Nemanja Matic and Romelu Lukaku? Would they be closer to Manchester City at the top of the table?
It’s all hindsight, of course, and despite their recent transfer policies, Chelsea won a championship last season and utterly bossed the league in doing so. However, it is a reminder that patience should be a virtue in professional soccer, and jettisoning top players too early can look very bad down the road.
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What should Arsenal do with Sanchez and Ozil?
I would love to be inside an Arsenal fan’s mind these days. Just what are they thinking?
Domestically, the Gunners are playing very well and are racing towards a top four spot – while their away form is horrendous, at home they’ve been perfect. Central to this improvement has been the play of Mesut Ozil, and the combination of Alexis Sanchez and Alex Lacazette up front. After looking largely uninterested in recent years, Ozil and Sanchez appear as if they want to play again, and seem motivated.
All of which raises the question: is this because suddenly they have remembered who they play for, and why they joined to begin with, or is it because January is approaching and they are playing for transfer moves?
And if you are Arsenal, do you dare sell either player now, given how a top four finish is clearly doable, or do you sell while their asking price is high and then go look to buy game changers?
