Liverpool was less convincing at the end of last season but as soon as the new Premier League season started, the Reds again showed their status as a strong contender for champions. Arsenal are also the team that stole the attention at the start of the season.
Liverpool did look less convincing at the start of the season when they ‘only’ won 4-3 over Leeds United. At the start of the match against Chelsea, Liverpool also couldn’t perform well in the first half.
But Liverpool have shown that they are a team that has stood the test. Not many changes in the team make ‘The Reds’ a team that has matured at the start of the season.
Although under pressure from Leeds, Liverpool finally finished the match with a 4-3 win. In the match against Chelsea, Andreas Christensen’s red card and Kepa Arrizabalaga’s blunder meant Liverpool found a way to win the match 2-0.
Apart from Liverpool’s game which was not as great as last season, Jurgen Klopp’s squad won the most important thing in the competition, namely winning full points in the first two weeks of the Premier League.
This record keeps Liverpool on the right track in trying to defend the Premier League title this season.
Outside Liverpool, Arsenal is one of the big teams who stole the attention. After winning the FA Cup and Community Shield trophies, Arsenal continued their good rhythm at the start of the season.
The Gunners can win six points in the first two games, although ‘only’ against Fulham and West Ham United.
The test for Mikel Arteta’s squad will be in the next two matches. Arsenal will duel against Leicester City in the League Cup on Wednesday (23/9) and continue against Liverpool, Monday (28/9).
The two matches will illustrate Arsenal’s readiness to return to the ranks of the big team.
Manchester City which is a potential champion also started the competition well. They can win 3-1 over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The first two weeks of the Premier League have also become a picture of some of the dark horses stomping in the Premier League competition this season.
Everton became the team to talk about at the start of the season because of the success of picking up six points plus a spectacular 5-2 victory over West Bromwich Albion.
New recruits like James Rodriguez and Allan have made Carlo Ancelotti further perfect the Everton scheme that he wants.
Leicester City are also back on the dark horse radar this season. After slipping out of the top four at the end of the competition last season, Leicester again started their ambition to enter the top flight very well.
Leicester can win six plus points to be the most fertile team so far. ‘The Foxes are currently at the top of the Premier League standings.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace, including anomaly at the start of the season. The team, which is often perched in the middle of the table, also won perfect points, including by beating Manchester United last weekend.
Although it is still too early to think that Crystal Palace can enliven competition in the European competition zone, at least Palace’s good performance at the start of the season can make them hope to finish in the top 10.
Meanwhile Manchester United failed to make a good start. After not playing in the first week, Manchester United fell 1-3 from Crystal Palace in the second week.
This situation has left United six points behind in the race for the Premier League title even though they still have a game in hand.
Manchester United’s back line clearly received a sharp spotlight as this defeat. The duet of Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire could not bring a sense of security at the back.
As the transfer market is still open, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs to consider that their main need now is not to add attackers, but defenders.
The reason is, the next Premier League matches will not be easy for Manchester United. The ‘Red Devils’ will face three teams from London, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Arsenal in the next five weeks.
If there is no significant improvement in back line coordination, Manchester United will be increasingly scattered in the hunt for the Premier League.
