Liverpool

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has come to the defense of Arsenal amid accusations of employing "dark arts" tactics. As Liverpool prepares to face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, Slot expressed that he has no concerns regarding such tactics from Mikel Arteta's team. Arsenal faced criticism for time-wasting during their recent 2-2 draw with Manchester City, particularly while trying to maintain a lead with only ten players on the field. However, Slot emphasized that his focus is solely on Arsenal's style of play rather than any alleged tactical fouls. "When I think about Arsenal and City, the idea of tactical fouls or dark arts doesn't even cross my mind," Slot stated. "What stands out to me is how well they play."

Darwin Núñez is putting in the effort to demonstrate his value to Liverpool under manager Arne Slot. Although the striker has not been a prolific scorer in England, his relentless energy can disrupt opposing defenses and provide cover for the injured Diogo Jota. In a recent match against RB Leipzig, Mohamed Salah's header was on course to find the bottom corner when Núñez seized the moment. He sprinted in to ensure he got the final touch, scoring what would ultimately be the winning goal and helping maintain Liverpool's perfect start in the Champions League—a crucial goal for both him and the team. Liverpool has been nearly flawless under Slot's management, with the only blemish being a home defeat to Nottingham Forest. This strong performance has led the Dutch coach to frequently rely on the same players who have been effective, leaving others waiting for their chance on the bench.

**Arsenal's Disciplinary Woes Could Hinder Title Challenge Ahead of Key Liverpool Clash** Mikel Arteta faces a significant challenge as he prepares for a crucial match against league leaders Arne Slot's Liverpool, with poor discipline emerging as a pressing concern for his Arsenal side. For those seeking comfort in the club's history, Arteta might reflect on the era of Arsène Wenger. The legendary French manager, who recently celebrated his 75th birthday, is fondly remembered for transforming player fitness and nutrition, effectively ending the notorious Tuesday drinking club. However, during each of the three Premier League titles he secured, Arsenal recorded at least three red cards, showcasing a tenacity reminiscent of George Graham's championship-winning teams. A notable incident occurred on September 29, 2001, when Martin Keown was sent off against Derby for two yellow cards, the first for "preventing a quick free-kick"—a lesson for players like Declan Rice. While Arteta's squad hasn't reached that level of indiscipline, they have faced challenges of their own. William Saliba's red card in the recent defeat to Bournemouth marked a continuation of a troubling trend: Arsenal has only dropped points this season when reduced to ten men. As the team gears up for the pivotal clash against Liverpool, Arteta must address these disciplinary issues to keep their title hopes alive.

Arne Slot has emphasized the importance of Liverpool improving their away performance against top Premier League teams if they aim to secure the title. As Liverpool prepares to face Arsenal on Sunday, a victory would create a significant seven-point lead over Mikel Arteta's squad. Last season, Liverpool struggled in away matches against their title rivals, earning only seven points from a possible 21 against the top eight teams. Their only win in that stretch came against Newcastle, and their campaign included a notably controversial defeat to Tottenham. In contrast, Manchester City and Arsenal managed to collect 11 and 9 points, respectively, from their away fixtures against the same opponents. With this context in mind, Slot is keen for Liverpool to turn their fortunes around starting with the crucial match against Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta has urged his Arsenal squad not to adopt a defeatist attitude as they gear up to face league leaders Liverpool on Sunday, despite grappling with a notable injury list. In a press conference on Friday, Arteta expressed concern over the availability of key players Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori, and Jurriën Timber, stating, “We’re going to do our very best to somehow have them available, but obviously it’s very, very uncertain.” The manager emphasized the importance of maintaining a "ruthless mentality" as they prepare for the challenging match at Anfield, encouraging his team to rise above their current difficulties rather than feeling sorry for themselves.

**Signing Roberto Firmino: Data, Repeat Viewings, and a Gut Feeling** In an excerpt from the book *How to Win the Premier League*, Ian Graham shares the story behind Liverpool's acquisition of Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino in 2015. As I prepared for my first day as the director of research at Liverpool in 2012, I found it hard to sleep. This was the club I had supported since childhood. The new ownership had demonstrated a commitment to a data-driven approach in baseball, and I was excited to work alongside Eddy [Michael Edwards] again. Our combined expertise—his deep understanding of player analysis from his time as a video analyst and my focus on data—promised to make us a formidable force in the transfer market. Eddy had also brought in Barry Hunter and Dave Fallows from Manchester City to revamp Liverpool’s scouting department. However, things took an unexpected turn right from the start. Before I and the other new hires could begin, Liverpool needed to find a replacement for manager Kenny Dalglish. The decision came down to Brendan Rodgers or Roberto Martínez. Ultimately, Brendan was selected as the stronger candidate. At the same time, Fenway Sports Group (FSG) was looking for a director of football to succeed Damien Comolli. The search was abruptly cut short when Brendan, on his first day, made a bold statement in a media interview: “I am better when I have control … I wouldn’t directly work with a director of football … If you want to have a sporting director, get him in and then you can pick your manager from there but if you do I won’t be the manager.” This set the stage for a challenging yet transformative period for Liverpool as we navigated the complexities of player recruitment and management.

In the latest episode of the Football Weekly Extra podcast, hosts Max Rushden, Barry Glendenning, Philippe Auclair, Mark Langdon, and Sid Lowe delve into the recent Champions League matches. They discuss Liverpool's impressive away victory against Leipzig, which saw them secure another win and maintain a clean sheet. The conversation also highlights Erling Haaland's stunning performance for Manchester City, where he showcased his acrobatic skills during a dominant win over Sparta Prague. Listeners are encouraged to rate, review, and share the podcast on various platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Audioboom, Mixcloud, Acast, and Stitcher. The hosts invite fans to join the conversation on social media or via email.

**Golden Goal: Steve Nicol's Header for Liverpool Against Arsenal (1987)** Doubts loomed over Steve Nicol and Kenny Dalglish's Liverpool side, but an 18-yard header from Nicol helped to alleviate those concerns, paving the way for a dominant season ahead. Following a rare trophyless campaign in 1986-87, skepticism arose regarding the strength of the Liverpool dynasty. The departure of star striker Ian Rush to Juventus for £3.2 million left a significant void in the squad, placing the onus on manager Kenny Dalglish to find a suitable replacement for the seemingly irreplaceable forward. In his preview for the 1987-88 season, the Guardian's David Lacey remarked, “The coming season is going to be Dalglish’s biggest test yet as a manager.” Other commentators echoed similar sentiments, with John Bond stating in an exclusive article for the Express, “Dalglish has a lot to live up to this season. Time will tell whether he really can do it.” As the season unfolded, Nicol's crucial goal against Arsenal not only eased the pressure on the team but also set the tone for what would become a remarkable campaign for Liverpool.

Kostas Tsimikas has expressed Liverpool's ambitious goal of securing every possible trophy under the guidance of their new head coach, Arne Slot. Following last season's FA Cup defeat to Manchester United, which Tsimikas described as "destroying everything," the team has been on an impressive run, recently achieving a Champions League victory against RB Leipzig. This win marked a club record of 11 victories in the first 12 matches of the season. As Liverpool prepares for a crucial match against Arsenal, Tsimikas emphasized the team's determination. A win would create a seven-point lead over their rivals, marking their seventh consecutive away victory. "It's too early to talk about making a statement against Arsenal, but at the start of the season, we set our sights on winning everything," Tsimikas stated. "We will go to Arsenal to play our football and aim for victory."

Darwin Núñez's goal secured a victory for Liverpool against Leipzig, helping the team maintain their perfect start to the season. While it may be premature to evaluate Liverpool's overall potential or the new Champions League format, the early results under head coach Arne Slot are impressive. Liverpool has achieved a remarkable feat, winning 11 of their first 12 matches this season and claiming victory in all six of their away games. Their latest triumph came from a close-range finish by Núñez against a Leipzig side struggling in the Champions League, having yet to earn a point. With three wins from three matches in the competition, Liverpool is on the verge of advancing to the next stage.