LIVERPOOL, England: Liverpool can go one step closer to winning the English Premier League title for the second time in 35 years against fragile Manchester City on Sunday as Ruben Amorim eyes a chance to win his first Premier League (EPL) game as Manchester United manager.
The clash between the top two sides at Anfield offers Arsenal, who face West Ham, and Chelsea, who host Aston Villa, the chance to close the gap.
Arne Slot’s Reds head into the weekend full of confidence after beating Real Madrid 2-0 to go top of the Champions League table.
Liverpool have also rarely made mistakes in the EPL, jumping eight points clear after just 12 games.
All three teams enjoying a lead of eight points or more at this stage in the EPL season ended the campaign as champions.
City is in a critical position.
Winless in their last six games, the English champions are physically and mentally “fragile”, according to manager Pep Guardiola, who is having the worst spell of his career on the sidelines.
“It has been, is and will be a difficult season for us. We had to accept it in many circumstances,” he said.
Even at their best in a glorious era under the Catalan, City have failed to conquer Anfield, with their last victory in front of home fans coming in 2003.
Amorim did not give up after watching Manchester United struggle to a 1-1 draw at bottom side Ipswich in his debut in charge last weekend.
“We will suffer for a long time,” said the Portuguese coach. “It will take time, but I know we have to win the game.”
Troubled club Everton’s visit to Old Trafford offers the Red Devils the perfect opportunity to reinject the challenge under their new boss.
The Toffees (10) are one of three teams to have scored less than United’s 13 goals in the EPL this season.
Sean Dyche’s men are just two points above the relegation zone and have not beaten United away from home since 2013.
United, who are 12th, will need to make the most of their home advantage to move up the table a bit with tough visits to Arsenal and City awaiting in two of their next three league games.
Aston Villa another team struggling with form. A 0-0 draw with Juventus in midweek extended their winless streak to seven games in all competitions.
Unai Emery’s men remain well placed to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League in their first campaign in Europe’s elite club competition in four decades.
But their fatigue in Europe began to affect their challenge at the domestic level. Villa have only picked up seven points from their last seven league games to drop to eighth place.
Ahead of them is a tough visit to Chelsea, who have excelled in Enzo Maresca’s debut season.
The Blues sit third, ahead of Arsenal on goal difference and could end the weekend as Liverpool’s closest challengers if City fail to end their losing streak at Anfield.
Arsenal bounced back with comprehensive wins over Nottingham Forest and Sporting Lisbon and will move into second place for at least 24 hours if they win at West Ham tomorrow night.