After 10 games in the 2024-25 Premier League season, it is Liverpool who sit pretty at the top of the table ahead of reigning champions Manchester City and title challengers Arsenal.
Since succeeding legendary Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp in the summer, Arne Slot has made an impressive start to life at Anfield and is the first Reds boss in history to win eight of his first 10 top-flight matches in charge of the club.
The Merseysiders came from behind to secure a 2-1 home victory over Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend and they capitalised on both Arsenal and Man City dropping points.
Indeed, Arsenal suffered a 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United just a few hours before an injury-hit Man City side were deservedly beaten 2-1 at Bournemouth, and that latter result has allowed Liverpool to move two points clear at the summit.
Before the season began, there was a perception from many that Liverpool would not immediately challenge for the Premier League title in Slot's first campaign and that Man City and Arsenal would be the most likely duo to fight it out at the summit for a third straight season.
Pundits including Gary Neville have felt that Liverpool would come up short, but the Reds have certainly shown their credentials to complete for top-flight glory, while their rivals have exhibited signs of weakness in the early stages of this season.
Liverpool boast early advantage over Man City, Arsenal in title race
After going seven games unbeaten in all competitions since losing injured lynchpin Rodri, Man City have suffered defeat in their last two games and they certainly felt the absence of their Ballon d'Or winner last weekend as Pep Guardiola's aging midfield, comprised of Ilkay Gundogan, Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva - all in their 30s - were ran off the park by an energetic Bournemouth outfit.
Guardiola's squad is down to its bare bones and is crying out for an extended break, while Arsenal have also been hit with injuries to key players this term and you could argue that it has somewhat derailed their form in the Premier League.
The Gunners have failed to win their last three top-flight games, with a 2-2 draw at home to Liverpool sandwiched between defeats at Bournemouth and Newcastle, and they have subsequently slipped to fifth in the table, five points behind Man City in second and seven adrift of leaders Liverpool.
After watching Mikel Arteta's side come up short in the last two Premier League title races against Man City, Arsenal supporters were hoping that this year would be the year that they finally end the club's 21-year wait for the title.
However, the Gunners already face an uphill battle if they wish to go toe-to-toe with both Man City and Liverpool, as they are six points worse off than at this stage last season and also nine points worse off than in 2022-23.
Following last weekend's action, Sports Mole senior reporter Oliver Thomas spoke with Man City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany to discuss where both Arsenal and Liverpool stand in the title race and who has the edge in their battle with Guardiola's defending champions.
Press play on the video at the top of this article to hear the full discussion.
Oliver Thomas
