In the heart of Manchester, Liverpool stands on the brink of an extraordinary achievement as they inch closer to securing the Premier League title. With a narrow 1-0 triumph over Leicester City, courtesy of a second-half goal from Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Merseyside giants now need just one more victory to match Manchester United’s record of 20 English league titles.
Yet, Liverpool’s coronation might happen sooner if Arsenal fails against Crystal Palace midweek. However, regardless of Arsenal’s upcoming match, a win against Tottenham at Anfield next Sunday will cement Liverpool’s title glory.
The Liverpool camp is buzzing with excitement. Alexander-Arnold, who clinched the crucial goal, expressed the team’s anticipation by celebrating passionately after his decisive strike. A previous tension-filled fixture against Leicester saw the former champions put up a brave fight. While they managed to disallow a Conor Coady goal after finding the back of the net, it was not enough to prevent their relegation from the top flight.
Liverpool’s journey has not been without its challenges, as they narrowly escaped frustration by a resilient Leicester team that not only threatened with several attempts but restricted Liverpool’s scoring opportunities until Alexander-Arnold’s moment of magic. His introduction helped break the deadlock, as he managed to guide a crucial shot past Leicester’s keeper Mads Hermansen, prompting an ecstatic celebration with Liverpool’s traveling fans.
The sense of achieving victory this season under normal circumstances holds special meaning compared to their previous victory in 2020 when lockdown restrictions meant empty stands. Alexander-Arnold spoke of the significance, saying, “Securing the title in front of fans this time makes it even more special.”
Earlier in the day, Arsenal ensured Liverpool’s wait was extended by thrashing Ipswich Town 4-0. Leandro Trossard’s opener was complemented by Gabriel Martinelli’s goal before halftime. Arsenal then completed the rout with further goals from Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri. With eyes on their midweek fixture against Palace, Arsenal is set to delay Liverpool’s championship celebration.
On the downside, Manchester United’s dreams of closing gaps in the Premier League took a hit. Following their thrilling Europa League comeback, their domestic form suffered another blow with a home defeat to Wolves. This marked United’s 15th league defeat this season, setting a new undesirable record in their Premier League history. United’s point tally has been a shadow of their former years, compounded by Ruben Amorim’s acknowledgment of the team’s struggles in front of goal.
Wolves, on the other hand, celebrated their sustained Premier League tenure with a hard-fought win against Manchester United. A memorable free-kick from substitute Pablo Sarabia secured a vital win ensuring their safety, matching United’s points total in the league.
In neighboring West London, Chelsea staged a remarkable comeback against Fulham to climb into fifth place. Trailing behind after Alex Iwobi’s early goal, Chelsea waited until the dying moments to turn the game around. Goals from Tyrique George and Pedro Neto ensured a pivotal victory that nudged Chelsea above Nottingham Forest in the standings. Their resurgence keeps them in contention for a Champions League spot, especially with an extra spot available due to English clubs’ performances in European competitions.