The Premier League is well under way now as we approach the end of the first month of the 2022-23 season, and things are shaping up nicely in the league.
While Arsenal and Manchester City continue to lead the way, Liverpool and Chelsea have had a less than flattering start.
Manchester United, meanwhile, has bounced back after a disastrous start by beating Liverpool.
On that note, let’s take a look at three key things to look forward to on Matchday 4 this weekend.
Much-needed resurgence needed from Liverpool
Liverpool, who missed the Premier League title by a whisker last season, have not started well this season and it is time for their players to stand up an be counted. The Reds have just 2 points from their first three matches and are yet to win.
Moreover, the loss to traditional rivals Manchester United is seen as a major setback. It remains to be seen if Juergen Klopp can motivate his players for the upcoming fixtures. Liverpool host Bournemouth on Saturday and won’t want to settle for anything less than 3 points from the match.
The Reds will be without the services of Darwin Nuñez, their prized signing, as the Uruguay forward was suspended three games for delivering a head butt against Crystal Palace. With Luis Diaz and Roberto Firmino not finding the net, it might again come down to Mohamed Salah‘s ability to score to bail out his team yet again. The Anfield faithful would hope Diaz and Firmino regain their form against Bournemouth and shoulder the burden of their attacking responsibilities.
Premier League champs have tricky fixture
Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions, have had mixed fortunes so far. While winning their first two matches convincingly, their third match turned out to be a much sterner test as they had to bounce back from a two-goal deficit to secure a draw against Newcastle United.
They do not have an easy fixture this weekend either. Crystal Palace drew with Liverpool and defeated Aston Villa in their last two matches. Manchester City are a couple of points adrift of league-leaders Arsenal and Pep Guardiola cannot afford to allow the deficit to increase after Matchday 4.
A positive sign for the Citizens is that new signing Erling Haaland has scored three times in three league games thus far. Moreover, Ilkay Gundogan, who plays as a defensive midfielder, also keeps showing his knack for scoring goals and being in nice positions.
Still, Manchester City continue to depend a lot on the talismanic Kevin De Bruyne to break through the opposition defense, and the Belgian midfielder is seemingly never tired of displaying his class by scoring goals and registering outrageous assists through brilliant crosses and through balls.
Manchester United’s performance with Casemiro in the side
Manchester United, who received a bit of oxygen by beating Liverpool on Monday, should be further boosted by Casemiro‘s inclusion in the side against Southampton. Still, the scars from the 4-0 humiliation at Brentford have not completely healed, and Erik ten Hag’s team must continue their progress to do justice to their reputation as a club.
Ten Hag might decide to bench both Scott McTominay and Fred and go with a 4-3-3 with Casemiro as the enforcer in the midfield and Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes as the two creative players at the centre of the pitch.
However, it would be interesting to see how Cristiano Ronaldo is used and United supporters should take heart that wingers Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford each scored against Liverpool.