Premier League Weekend Preview: Liverpool Aim To Regain Form Against Man Utd As Postecoglou Fights For Survival

‎Liverpool will be eager to rediscover their form when it faces fierce rivals Manchester United at Anfield this weekend.

‎Ruben Amorim’s side, however, will believe they can snatch a rare victory on Merseyside. The reigning champions have dominated recent league encounters, losing only once in their last 14 Premier League meetings with United.

‎Yet, three consecutive defeats in all competitions have seen Arsenal climb to the top of the table.

‎Nottingham Forest manager, Ange Postecoglou survived the international break but still faces intense scrutiny after going winless in his first seven games.

‎Sportxparte highlights three major talking points to watch ahead of the weekend’s fixtures.

‎Liverpool hopes on the Anfield home factor against Manchester United

‎When Liverpool opened the season with five consecutive Premier League wins, it seemed they were on course for a record 21st English top-flight title, one clear of United.

‎However, the issues they had masked with late goals resurfaced in defeats to Crystal Palace and Chelsea, sandwiching a Champions League loss at Galatasaray.

‎Liverpool, one point behind leaders Arsenal, trolled United on social media this week, reminding them of the 7-0 drubbing they dished out in March 2023.

‎Mohamed Salah scored twice that day and has an eye-catching record against United, netting in 10 of the past 11 matches between the clubs in all competitions.

‎The Egyptian forward will head into the match in search of form, while new signings Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak have yet to make a meaningful impact. Arne Slot’s side also looks shaky at the back.

‎United, winless at Anfield since 2016, have earned creditable draws in their last two visits.

‎Ruben Amorim’s men, stuck in mid-table, may not frighten Liverpool, but they should have opportunities to expose gaps in the home side’s defense.

‎Postecoglou’s Forest is still winless

‎Ange Postecoglou doesn’t seem overly worried about his job at Nottingham Forest despite a winless start to his tenure at the City Ground.

‎The club, sitting just above the relegation zone, hosts Chelsea in the early Saturday kickoff.

‎It marks a swift drop from last season’s form, when Forest finished seventh under the now-departed Nuno Espírito Santo to clinch European football.

‎But it continues a troubling pattern for Postecoglou, who endured a nightmare league campaign last season with Tottenham, which cost him his job despite Europa League glory.

‎The Australian said he relished a challenge after his team’s 2-0 defeat at Newcastle on October 5, just days after home fans at the City Ground called for his sacking.

‎”I’ve fought for things my whole life, so it’s just another fight that I love to be in the middle of,” said the 60-year-old.

‎It remains to be seen whether the international break will help Postecoglou’s fortunes or simply postpone the inevitable. Reports suggest former Burnley and Everton boss Sean Dyche is being considered as his potential successor.

‎Unstoppable Semenyo Shining for flying Bournemouth

‎Antoine Semenyo is arguably the most in-form player in the Premier League, the main man in a Bournemouth team who are flying high.

‎The London-born Ghanaian winger has six goals and three assists in the league for Andoni Iraola’s side, who sit fourth after their best-ever start to a Premier League campaign.

‎Semenyo has been involved in almost 82 percent of his team’s goals, the highest proportion for any player in the league.

‎”He is incredible,” said teammate Justin Kluivert. “He shows it every game now. He is just world-class.”

‎Iraola’s Bournemouth are riding high despite selling around £200 million worth of talent in the summer transfer window.

‎Now they face a tough test against Crystal Palace, who are eager to prove a point after ending their 19-match unbeaten run across all competitions.