Liverpool look the weakest of the three main Premier League title contenders

Another Premier League weekend, another Erling Haaland goal, another late show involving Liverpool, another Arsenal win – it's all becoming very familiar.

The second international break of the season is upon us so it's a perfect time to ponder, what did we learn this weekend?

Liverpool's luck may be up

After cruising to the Premier League title last term and spending big in the summer, many expected Liverpool to retain their crown with minimal fuss.

That has been far from the case, however, as they have required goals after the 83rd minute to secure four of their five league wins, only prevailing in the Merseyside derby without any major drama.

Teams have been picking apart Arne Slot's side without getting their deserved rewards all season and it is actually a surprise it has taken this long for the losses to start flowing.

Defeats to Crystal Palace, Galatasaray and Chelsea – the first and last of those involved stoppage-time winners for an added dose of own-medicine punishment – mean Slot has suffered three losses in a row for the first time in his managerial career and, worryingly, there is no clear fix.

Despite being signed for a combined £225 million, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz started on the bench at Chelsea. Slot is clearly aware he has too many attackers without having strong enough defenders to play them all.

Ibrahima Konate continues to look shaky, Conor Bradley is not Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Alisson is a big miss in goal. Slot has plenty of questions to answer and there is no guarantee he has the solutions.

Arsenal are the team to beat

On paper, 2-0 wins over Olympiakos and West Ham are just routine results for new Premier League title favourites Arsenal. However, those wins are more significant than most would believe.

Olympiakos have been an unlikely thorn in Arsenal's side. Only Manchester City (eight), Liverpool (five) and Brighton (four) have landed more wins at the Emirates than the Greek giants' three since 2014.

They are a bogey team, as are West Ham, who have inflicted half of the four losses the Gunners' have suffered in 43 Premier League home games.

A mental block has been a big reason for Arsenal's three consecutive second-place finishes but overcoming those back-to-back clashes against bogey teams with relative ease suggests Mikel Arteta's men may finally have the attitude to end their Premier League drought.

Martin Odegaard's return has further strengthened ArsenalCredit: AFP via Getty Images

Ange's agony rages on

The name Evangelos means a bringer of good news. Based on how rapidly Nuno Espirito Santo was sacked, it is hard to see Evangelos Marinakis bringing any good news to Ange Postecoglou if his early results as Nottingham Forest boss continue.

Big Ange is 26 days into the job but those three-and-a-bit weeks have brought no wins and five defeats – including losses to Midtjylland, Sunderland and Swansea – and he is now seen as the most likely manager to next vacate their position by bookmakers.

Forest were 7-1 for relegation when he took over but those odds were slashed to 5-2 following Sunday's defeat at Newcastle and Ange's high-risk tactics are not producing rewards.

The Magpies are not a side known for keeping the ball, yet they had 52 per cent possession on Sunday. Forest created just 0.3 xG at St James' Park, too, suggesting it will be a long time before the Reds are playing Ange-ball.

Unfortunately for the Aussie, despite being his mate, Marinakis isn't the most patient owner. Time is not something Ange has and it would be no surprise to see the axe swung again.

Hear me out, United aren't that bad

Manchester United are not as awful as you think and, no, I am not saying this based purely on a 2-0 win over promoted Sunderland.

The Red Devils' 13.6 xG is the highest in the Premier League and poor finishing is generally something which doesn't last for an entire season, so it is no surprise that they are beginning to pick up points.

Based on discourse, you would expect United to be 16th again if you looked at the table. Spoiler alert, they aren't. They're tenth, just three points behind their rivals and 4-1 title shots Manchester City.

If Bruno Fernandes had remembered how to take a penalty United would probably have another three points to their name and there is every chance that their luck will continue to turn as Ruben Amorim works out his best side.

The Portuguese deservedly dropped Matheus Cunha on Saturday, bringing in Mason Mount to replace the Brazilian. That change brought extra balance to the side while the introduction of Senne Lammens, a rare breed of United goalkeeper who doesn't appear to have wrists made of paper, meant they were able to keep a clean for the first time this season.

Around seventh is probably still their ceiling but, sadly, we may all have to stop laughing at United soon.

Bruno Fernandes will have a huge role to play for Manchester United once again

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes helped his side to a 2-0 win over SunderlandCredit: Offside via Getty Images

Grealish's twinkle toes keep bringing yellows

A 93rd-minute winner to end Crystal Palace's 19-game unbeaten run made it one goal and four assists in seven Premier League matches for Jack Grealish at Everton, and while that excellent return warrants celebrating, shrewd punters should be focusing on another aspect of his game.

Grealish has been fouled 26 times in the Premier League – at least seven times more than anybody else – and, following Daniel Munoz's yellow card on Sunday, the right-back tasked with marking him has been booked in four of Everton's last six league games.

Grealish will have to sit out the next game as the Toffees take on his parent club City but Tottenham, Sunderland and Fulham come next.

Pedro Porro, Trai Hume and Timothy Castagne are no strangers to yellow cards and Grealish's excellence should continue to draw plenty of bookings in the coming weeks.

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Published on 6 October 2025inPremier League