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Liverpool leads the way in which within the race for the Premier League title after Manchester Metropolis and Arsenal canceled one another out. A 2-1 comeback win towards Brighton left Jurgen Klopp’s group wanting down on its rivals — two factors forward of second-place Arsenal and three away from Metropolis in third with 9 video games to go. “It’s a nice scenario the place the boys introduced us,” mentioned the Liverpool supervisor, who’s aiming to log out with a second league title earlier than stepping down on the finish of the season.
There may be nonetheless some approach to go within the three-way combat, however Mohamed Salah’s second-half winner at Anfield may very well be essential. Even Metropolis supervisor Pep Guardiola admitted it is in Liverpool’s fingers now.
“All the time who’s first is favorites,” Guardiola mentioned. “Second is Arsenal and we’re third.” Victory had moved Liverpool to the highest of the standings earlier than Metropolis and Arsenal performed out a irritating 0-0 draw at Etihad Stadium later within the day. The conflict between final season’s high two had been extremely anticipated however did not stay as much as the pre-match hype, with few goal-scoring possibilities.
Whereas the consequence suited Liverpool most of all, it was the newest proof of Arsenal’s rising title credentials after falling away on the finish of final season. The Londoners had misplaced on their earlier eight visits to Metropolis — together with a 4-1 defeat final 12 months that proved pricey within the title race.
This season, Mikel Arteta’s group has taken 4 factors off the defending champions, in addition to successful the Group Defend towards Metropolis in August. However the Arsenal supervisor mentioned he was nonetheless searching for extra from his gamers to show they’re prepared to finish Guardiola’s dominance with Metropolis.
“(It exhibits) that we’re enhancing and that we’re competing higher and we’re understanding how you must play these video games, however there are different steps to be made to win the championship. You need to come right here and you must win,” Arteta mentioned. “At this time we have been ready to attract and we have now to nonetheless enhance lots to have the ability to do this.” Arsenal has now had the higher of each of its title rivals, having additionally gained and drawn towards Liverpool.
In contrast, Metropolis has no league wins towards any of the groups above it, having drawn towards Liverpool dwelling and away. Sunday was an opportunity to enhance that document — however Metropolis as an alternative slipped additional adrift of the highest.
“Now we do not rely upon ourselves, we rely on Liverpool and Arsenal now as a result of we do not play towards them once more,” Metropolis midfielder Bernardo Silva mentioned. “So we’d like them to drop factors in addition to do our job and win our personal video games.” Guardiola is backing his group to just do that because it targets back-to-back trebles after successful the Premier League title, Champions League and FA Cup final season.
“My perspective is we’re nonetheless there,” Guardiola mentioned. “I am glad. I mentioned to the group, Do not be unhappy.'” With simply three factors separating the highest three, it appears to be like to set to be probably the most open title race lately. And Brighton’s efficiency at Anfield urged there might nonetheless be some surprises alongside the way in which, with Liverpool having to come back again from a objective down after Danny Welbeck’s strike within the second minute.
Luis Diaz evened the rating earlier than the break and Salah struck his twenty second objective of the season within the second half to safe all three factors. “So, we’re there with two different groups combating for the largest prize in English soccer and we are going to see the way it will find yourself,” Klopp mentioned.
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