Liverpool emerged as the big winners in the latest round of Premier League matches, extending their lead at the top after a narrow victory over Everton on Saturday. The result maintained their flawless start to the season with five wins from as many games. It also put them six points ahead of Arsenal in second place, who faced Manchester City in north London on Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile, Tottenham and Bournemouth managed draws against Brighton and Newcastle respectively, overtaking the Gunners and reducing Liverpool‘s lead to five points.
Arsenal found themselves trailing early on at the Emirates Stadium due to an Erling Haaland goal, looking set for a disappointing defeat for most of the match. However, a last-minute equaliser from Gabriel Martinelli salvaged a point, allowing Mikel Arteta‘s side to reclaim second place. Despite this, they still lag behind Liverpool by five points at this early stage of the season.
Arne Slot‘s team have not been at their brilliant best, relying on late goals to secure victories in their first four league matches and their Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid. This streak included a slender win over Arsenal last month thanks to Dominik Szoboszlai’s spectacular free-kick.
Despite their struggles, they continue to find ways to win and collect maximum points. In contrast, Arsenal have already dropped points twice this season, even if they did manage to avoid a second loss at the last moment against City.
Pep Guardiola‘s side currently sit in ninth place in the Premier League table, trailing Liverpool by eight points after winning two and losing two of their first five matches.
Liverpool have improved on last season’s corresponding fixtures by four points, securing victories at home to Arsenal and away at Newcastle, where they could only manage draws last term.
In contrast, Arsenal are four points worse off, having suffered a loss at Liverpool and a draw at home with City, compared to a draw at Anfield and a 5-1 triumph at the Emirates Stadium last season.
Despite a mixed start, City have also gained an extra four points, having lost to Arsenal away and Manchester United at home last season.
To put things into perspective, Liverpool clinched the title last year with a 10-point lead over Arsenal and finished 13 points ahead of third-placed City. Both Liverpool and Arsenal only tasted defeat four times, while Guardiola’s men endured nine losses.
At this stage last season, Liverpool were second in the league, having won four and lost one of their games. They trailed City by a single point after the then-defending champions salvaged a 2-2 draw at home to Arsenal thanks to a late equaliser from John Stones.
Once again, City and Arsenal have clashed in an early-season six-pointer but had to settle for a point each, with the home team relying on a stoppage-time equaliser to secure a draw.
A year ago, Liverpool fans would have had mixed feelings about the result at the Emirates Stadium, keeping an eye on their title rivals and considering which outcome would be less damaging.
However, now, despite it being early in the title race, they find themselves cautiously watching as their nearest competitors already start to fall behind.
This is a familiar sensation for Liverpool, one that they arguably experienced for most of last season after securing the top spot from November onwards.
The title race is still in its infancy with plenty of football yet to be played, and those at Anfield are not taking anything for granted. However, after celebrating a Merseyside derby win enthusiastically on Saturday, Liverpool supporters would have been jubilant once more at the sound of the final whistle at the Emirates Stadium.
The Premier League season may only be five games in, but the current champions are already leading the pack.
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