After The Luton Debacle, Liverpool Could Face City Whilst Joint Top

As another round of Premier League games is closed out, the reds must now prepare to entertain Brentford in match week twelve of the 2023/24 Premier League season. A win (as well as a positive performance) are absolute requirements for Jürgen Klopp and his red-faced squad, as the league table undertook another surprise result, following Liverpool’s draw at Kenilworth Road. In this frustrating season of VAR controversy, another team saw their lineup reduced to nine men, as battling Tottenham were subjected to something Liverpool was forced to endure a few weeks ago. Despite a very bright start, Spurs limitations were exposed (by the red cards), thereby allowing visiting Chelsea to rally late on and achieve a surprising 1-4 away win. This type of match-up was immensely entertaining on the eye, whilst also opening up an opportunity for the North Londoners’ rivals to close ground on them.

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What Could Happen Next Weekend…?

I believe the Premier League table is shaping up to establish four clubs as genuine challengers for this season’s league title. Manchester City, Tottenham, Liverpool, and Arsenal, currently make up the division’s top four teams, one which could see all four end match week twelve on 27 points. Below are the upcoming fixtures for those listed sides, to be undertaken this coming weekend.

Saturday 11th November

Wolves v Tottenham – 12.30 KO

Arsenal v Burnley – 15.00 KO

Sunday 12th November

Liverpool v Brentford – 14.00 KO

Chelsea v Manchester City – 16.30 KO

Looking Ahead

If we analyse the first game, Spurs will now be without Ivan Perisic, Manor Solomon, Alfie Malik Whiteman, Ryan Sessegnon, Richarlison, and Micky van de Ven, all through varying injuries. Destiny Udogie and Cristian Romero were the men sent off on Monday, therefore will be now starting their respective suspensions this weekend. To have to travel to Molineux for Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off, represents a real dilemma for Spurs’ Australian manager, Ange Postecoglou. James Maddison was taken off in the hope that any ailment had been avoided, however, both he and Ben Davies may not be ready for Wolves in just a couple of days. After such a good run of form, this is perhaps the first big test of the former table-toppers’ title-winning credentials. A trip to Wolves is precarious and one I think they will end up drawing, with a loss now a real possibility.

Arsenal will win their next game; of that I am quite certain. Liverpool, despite their poor showing against relegation-battling Luton, should bounce back in full force and overcome Brentford. If those three games go as I predict, I can see Jürgen Klopp and his men ending their Anfield match-up as joint top of the table. In that scenario (and given the post-win bounce that should be swirling around Stamford Bridge), this irregular season could see this huge spending Chelsea side overcome the odds, by defeating the reigning Premier League holders, Manchester City. The West London outfit have a solid six days to prepare, therefore, I hope Mauricio Pochettino can plan and hopefully execute a game plan that can delay Pep Guardiola and his inevitable ascension to clear leaders. Though I believe it is inevitable that the 115-point champions will finish top this season, I am confident that Liverpool’s resurgence can at least push their biggest current rivals for a few more months.

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"Liverpool’s eight late goals this season have come from chances collectively valued at 4.98 xG by Understat."https://t.co/NNIfqQNnCO

— AnfieldIndex (@AnfieldIndex) November 8, 2023

In order to make the situation feasible, Liverpool must be better prepared and show their quality on Sunday, which could well present the amazing situation that sees this transitional team top of the table (sort of) at the close of match week twelve. The two weeks break of the league fixtures would then see match week thirteen unfold, as City and the reds collide in the biggest game of the season so far. Saturday, 25th November could become a critical day in how the season unfolds for Liverpool, but first and foremost, let’s see how the next few days pan out.