Liverpool faced a challenging week in the Premier League, culminating in a loss to West Ham despite dominating with 20 shots, which amounted to a modest 1.22 expected goals. The absence of key players such as Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus significantly affected their creativity and finishing prowess. The match schedule proved arduous for Liverpool, as they encountered a tough run of games. Notably, seven players from the starting line-up have participated in all five matches within the past fortnight, showcasing their endurance but also highlighting the toll on their performance.
Liverpool's encounter with Ipswich saw a dramatic moment in the 97th minute when Mohamed Salah secured a corner. However, this last-minute effort was not enough to secure a victory. Ipswich, down to ten players for 50 minutes, struggled at Old Trafford, having lost five of their previous six games there. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Ipswich managed to hold their ground against Liverpool's advances.
Elsewhere in the league, Bruno Fernandes continued to demonstrate his world-class talent and mentality for Manchester United. His performance against Ipswich was pivotal, providing game-changing moments on three separate occasions. Fernandes' contributions were especially evident through his set-piece deliveries, which led to all three goals for Manchester United.
"We lacked that final ball, that spark to generate something, to open them up and have more shots on target." – Mikel Arteta
Arsenal faced difficulties of their own, failing to score in back-to-back Premier League games for the first time since May 2023. Their match against Nottingham Forest was particularly frustrating, with 13 shots translating to only 0.97 expected goals. Mikel Arteta acknowledged the team's struggle to find that crucial final ball and spark needed to convert opportunities into goals.
Newcastle capitalized on the absence of Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak, securing two clean sheets in their recent matches. Their relentless approach underlined their superiority on the field, as they maintained defensive solidity and tactical discipline.
Jeremy Doku injected remarkable energy into his team's play; however, he did not register any goal involvements in his last two games. While Liverpool remains a strong contender this season, the challenges they face highlight the competitive nature of the Premier League.
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