Premier League: Top sides put their perfect run on the line

The Premier League is only in its third weekend yet only three teams retain a 100% record and after this weekend that will be down to two, at best, owing to the fact that Arsenal travel to Anfield on Sunday where one or both will definitely lose their perfect run.

The third side on a perfect run are Spurs, who are in a good position to maintain it as they host Bournemouth this afternoon in London. Few of us would have had Spurs, the 17th place finisher from last season, as the possible final remaining side with the perfect record in 2025-26. Of course, Bournemouth could perform as well as we know they can and get a result in Tottenham Stadium and we might indeed be left with nobody on a perfect record come Monday.

Understandably, the main attention will be on the game in Merseyside, as the top two sides from last year clash. Unusually for so early in this season’s campaign, so much could depend on who comes out on top at Anfield.

Last Monday night offered a highly entertaining game at St James’ Park, with the Toon probably still scratching their collective heads at how they ended up with nothing come the final whistle. Newcastle and boss Eddie Howe can take a lot of positives from the game but may still be concerned that after playing so well with 11 and then 10 men, that it was Liverpool who left Tyneside celebrating.

For Liverpool, it was a case of another lucky escape, claiming full points in two games now where they took a 2-0 goal leads (three if you count the Charity Shield) only to let Bournemouth and then Newcastle back into it to make it 2-2. On the positive side they have rallied late in both games to bag the win, but one suspects that Arsenal will not be so generous if the similar circumstances arise tomorrow.

Defence worries

While Liverpool have run in the goals in those games, at the other end of the field, the defending has left a lot to be desired and a bit of a concern for their fans. The accomplished pairing of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahim Konate that reigned supreme over teams last season have looked a bit disjointed this season so far, with Konate getting caught out with over-the-top balls on too many occasions. Van Dijk is not without blame either, playing attackers onside for a couple of those retaliatory goals against them. The introduction of two new fullbacks on either side of the pair may see their covering duties expanded since last season and may explain their current difficulties as boss Arne Slot acquired Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong more for the purpose of assisting the attack over their defensive abilities.

Frimpong’s injury also coming at a bad time for the defence with his replacement, Conor Bradley struggling to recover from his own injury woes requiring some haphazard replacements from Joe Gomez to Dominik Szoboszlai.

As much as Liverpool are looking to get the controversial Alexander Isak deal with Newcastle over the line, the acquisition of another centre half may be even more pressing for them. With the push to bag Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace crowing in importance as each match exposes frailties at the back.

Liverpool will also be hoping Alexis MacAllister will be back for Sunday’s game as Liverpool also struggled to control the vital midfield battle against Newcastle on Monday. The jury is still out on the early performances of new boys Florian Wirtz, who has yet to get up to the speed of the Premier League and more especially on Kerkez at left full. The Hungarian looked a bit bullied by the big Newcastle attack, especially for Bruno Guimaraes’ goal.

Countering that, is the duck to water acclimatisation to the English game of Hugo Ekitike. The French striker has looked very comfortable in attack so far, lucky enough for Liverpool.

Gunners are firing

The Gunners impressive start to the season has come at its own cost with the injuries of Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz out injured, and Martin Odegaard also a doubt for tomorrow’s game. But with the signing of Victor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and newly unveiled Eberechi Eze, puts them in far stronger position this season compared to last, when the inevitable injuries came along.

It will be interesting to see if Mikel Arteta will throw Eze immediately into the battle against Liverpool. On one hand it would be expecting a lot of the young attacking midfielder, but on the other it may be no harm to exploit Eze’s obvious excitement and desire to succeed while he’s hot. And it must be noted that Eze has already had some recent success with Crystal Palace against Liverpool, who may not be so enthused to face him again so soon.

One way or the other this has the prospects of being another compelling game at Anfield, with both sides eager to lay down a title marker ahead of the international break.