Liverpool leads the best way within the race for the Premier League title after Manchester City and Arsenal canceled one another out. A 2-1 comeback win in opposition to Brighton left Jurgen Klopp’s staff trying down on its rivals — two factors forward of second-place Arsenal and three away from City in third with 9 video games to go. “It is a great situation where the boys brought us,” mentioned the Liverpool supervisor, who’s aiming to log off with a second league title earlier than stepping down on the finish of the season.
There continues to be some approach to go within the three-way combat, however Mohamed Salah’s second-half winner at Anfield could possibly be essential. Even City supervisor Pep Guardiola admitted it is in Liverpool’s palms now.
“Always who’s first is favorites,” Guardiola said. “Second is Arsenal and we’re third.” Victory had moved Liverpool to the highest of the standings earlier than City and Arsenal performed out a irritating 0-0 draw at Etihad Stadium later within the day. The conflict between final season’s prime two had been extremely anticipated however did not stay as much as the pre-match hype, with few goal-scoring possibilities.
While the consequence suited Liverpool most of all, it was the most recent proof of Arsenal’s rising title credentials after falling away on the finish of final season. The Londoners had misplaced on their earlier eight visits to City — together with a 4-1 defeat final yr that proved expensive within the title race.
This season, Mikel Arteta’s staff has taken 4 factors off the defending champions, in addition to profitable the Community Shield in opposition to City in August. But the Arsenal supervisor mentioned he was nonetheless searching for extra from his gamers to show they’re prepared to finish Guardiola’s dominance with City.
“(It shows) that we are improving and that we are competing better and we are understanding how you have to play these games, but there are other steps to be made to win the championship. You have to come here and you have to win,” Arteta mentioned. “Today we were able to draw and we have to still improve a lot to be able to do that.” Arsenal has now had the higher of each of its title rivals, having additionally gained and drawn in opposition to Liverpool.
By distinction, City has no league wins in opposition to any of the groups above it, having drawn in opposition to Liverpool house and away. Sunday was an opportunity to enhance that document — however City as an alternative slipped additional adrift of the highest.
“Now we don’t depend on ourselves, we depend on Liverpool and Arsenal now because we don’t play against them again,” City midfielder Bernardo Silva mentioned. “So we’d like them to drop factors in addition to do our job and win our personal video games.” Guardiola is backing his staff to do exactly that because it targets back-to-back trebles after profitable the Premier League title, Champions League and FA Cup final season.
“My perspective is we’re nonetheless there,” Guardiola said. “I’m satisfied. I said to the team, Don’t be sad.'” With simply three factors separating the highest three, it appears to be like to set to be essentially the most open title race lately. And Brighton’s efficiency at Anfield instructed there may nonetheless be some surprises alongside the best way, with Liverpool having to come back again from a objective down after Danny Welbeck’s strike within the second minute.
Luis Diaz evened the rating earlier than the break and Salah struck his twenty second objective of the season within the second half to safe all three factors. “So, we’re there with two different groups combating for the largest prize in English soccer and we’ll see the way it will find yourself,” Klopp mentioned.
