The weekend’s Premier League action saw Liverpool secure a crucial late victory in the title race, while the relegation-threatened bottom three teams all suffered defeats. Here are five key talking points.
Lack of depth hurting Arsenal
Uruguayan forward Darwin Nunez came off the bench to deliver two stoppage-time goals for Liverpool in their 2-0 win over Brentford which made it back-to-back matches in which their substitutes scored. Meanwhile, Arsenal squandered a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa as the Reds moved six points clear with a game in hand.
The contrast in attacking depth was especially evident.
The Reds brought on game changers in Nunez and Diogo Jota – who scored the equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest in midweek – while Arsenal, who had no recognised senior strikers on the bench, introduced Raheem Sterling. The Chelsea winger has yet to make an impact during his loan spell, and his last league goal dates back to the final game of last season in May.
Liverpool’s Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez (left) celebrating after scoring his second goal in the 2-0 English Premier League win over Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium in London on Jan 18. PHOTO: AFP
If Arsenal want to stay the course in the title challenge, they will need reinforcements in this transfer window.
Rigid tactics harming Spurs and Man United
Thirteenth-placed Manchester United sit just 10 points above the relegation zone while Tottenham Hotspur are two points behind in 15th after both teams suffered losses.
United manager Ruben Amorim has persisted with ...