Premier League: What to expect this weekend

• With Premier League action this weekend we look at the major talking points after European action for some teams.

With Premier League action this weekend we look at the major talking points after European action for some teams.

Liverpool Europa League journey

Mohammed Salah.|PHOTO: Getty Images|

Following a fifth-place result in the Premier League, Liverpool is taking part in the Europa League for the first time since 2015–16. It was clear that losing out on the Champions League, a title that Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have frequently fought for, was disappointing. However, would Liverpool profit from spending a season in Europe’s second-tier league?

Liverpool, who are heavy favorites to win the Europa League, kicked off their season on Thursday with a 3-1 victory against LASK. Klopp made 11 changes to his starting lineup from the weekend’s victory at Wolves.

The Reds have sufficient depth to go through the early rounds of the competition without using important players, perhaps giving the club’s star players in Premier League action a break.

Additionally, playing in the Europa League gives players like Ben Doak, Wataru Endo, and Ryan Gravenberch the chance to try new things.

The midfield battle in the London derby

Martin Odegaard. Photo/Goal

With both Arsenal and Tottenham equal on points following an undefeated start to the season, this weekend’s north London derby is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling in recent seasons. Although they haven’t always been convincing in the Premier League, Arsenal reminded everyone of their talent by hammering PSV Eindhoven.

In contrast, Ange Postecoglou’s management of Tottenham has resulted in success, and despite the project’s early stages, there is a surge of confidence around Spurs. The creative imagination in midfield, where Martin Odegaard and James Maddison are two players capable of influencing this weekend’s match, has been at the heart of both teams’ success.

After a great debut with Spurs, Maddison was voted the Premier League’s Player of the Month for August.

As Odegaard continues to develop into one of the top creative talents in the world, that midfielder will be playing this weekend in the opposing team’s colors. In the win over PSV in the middle of the week, the Norwegian was brilliant, and whoever shines on Sunday might have a significant impact on the outcome.

Brighton’s bad start in Europe

As Brighton hosted European football at the Amex Stadium for the first time in the club’s history, the atmosphere was electrifying. The Seagulls were praised for their accomplishments from the previous campaign and continue to be among the Premier League’s most outstanding teams, but Roberto De Zerbi’s team suffered an unexpected setback following a defeat to AEK Athens in their Europa League debut.

The Seagulls struggled without Lewis Dunk at center back, allowing two goals from corner kicks in the first half. AEK added a third goal to secure a 3-2 victory on the south coast. The loss to AEK was a painful blow for Brighton, who have been positioned by the bookies as the second favorites to win the Europa League this season. Brighton still have Group B opponents Ajax and Marseille to face.

United’s goalkeeper crisis

Andre Onana. Photo/ NotjustOk.

Four losses in the first six games of the new season for Manchester United, a team that is always considered one defeat away from calamity, represents an early-season tragedy for Erik ten Hag.

The Red Devils’ poor start to the season has put the Dutchman under fire, and the praise they received last year is quickly disappearing as a result. In its present form, this squad appears to be moving backward.

The performance of Andre Onana, who was hired as Ten Hag’s man and the ideal replacement for David de Gea, has been a significant issue for the manager. The latter had shortcomings, particularly in the area of distribution, but his replacement has not yet shown that he is an improvement. Ten Hag recruited the Cameroonian international, whom he knows well from their time together at Ajax, to give his team more assurance when in possession. At the moment, Onana is lacking just that.

This season, Manchester United has allowed more goals than any other Premier League side (14) in all competitions, and it is the first time since 1978 that they have given up three or more goals in back-to-back games.