Ruben Amorim's bold claim: Will a midweek off turn the tide against Liverpool?
- Liverpool is performing strongly under Arne Slot, enjoying favorable match scheduling and poor form from opponents.
- Statistical analyses indicate Liverpool faced the weakest teams, aiding their ascent to the top of the league.
- Manchester United is struggling and facing an uphill battle against a robust Liverpool side, making their matchup critical.
In England, Liverpool is currently performing well in the Premier League under new head coach Arne Slot, who is facing unique challenges in his debut season. During the first half of the season, many football fans and analysts noted that Liverpool had not faced particularly strong competition and had an easier fixture schedule. A statistical analysis conducted using Opta's Power Rankings indicated that Liverpool played against teams with relatively low strength in their initial games, gaining an advantageous position in the league table early on. The analysis revealed that of the teams faced in the first 18 games, only Brentford, Tottenham Hotspur, and West Ham United had won their last league matches before encountering Liverpool, indicating that many were struggling for form. This favorable fixture timing has allowed Liverpool to capitalize on the poor form of their opponents, which has positively impacted their standing in the league. Furthermore, slot acknowledged that upcoming tough opponents could change the narrative of their season, highlighting the potential pressure that could accompany future matches. Meanwhile, Manchester United, Liverpool's traditional rival, is currently struggling under the management of Ruben Amorim. With a 14th place standing in the league and four consecutive defeats ahead of their match against Liverpool, United appears to be an easier target for Slot's side at this juncture. Amorim has been trying to implement a 3-4-3 system but has had little success, as United has been losing consistently. He is hoping that the added training time from a midweek off will improve his squad's performance against the league leaders. Historically, United has struggled at Anfield, failing to win there since 2016, and they have scored only once in their last nine visits to Liverpool, indicating a formidable obstacle for Amorim's squad. The upcoming match poses a significant challenge but also an opportunity for both managers: Slot could solidify Liverpool’s top position while Amorim seeks to boost United amid their challenges, suggesting a crucial clash in the Premier League’s narrative.