Rolling Stone India Pitch: Liverpool Drop Points for the First Time This Season

Matchday nine of the Premier League saw league leaders Liverpool lose their 100 percent win rate this season, Manchester City’s win over Crystal Palace put them only six points behind The Reds, Tottenham Hotspur dropped points at home to Watford and more.

Last night, Manchester United hosted arch-rivals Liverpool in the North West Derby at Old Trafford. United who are struggling for form this season managed to take the lead through Marcus Rashford in the first half. Liverpool, however, equalized via Adam Lallana five minutes before full time. With the game finishing 1-1 it meant that Liverpool dropped their first points of the season after eight consecutive wins.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said after the game, “The result is OK. It’s not what we wanted but we have to be happy given how the game developed. The first half I didn’t like because we gave United the chance to do what they want to do — to put us under pressure and be aggressive. They were not better than we were but they did what they wanted to do.” He added, “We were in charge 100 percent towards the end. We wanted a different result but to do that you have to play better.”

Current champions Manchester City will be grateful that their city rivals denied Liverpool a win as they picked up a routine 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday. City who currently sits in second place, six points behind Liverpool will be hoping to shorten that gap over the coming weeks. “After the international break, to play here at Selhurst Park and create a lot of chances was good. We played well but didn’t score too many – but we didn’t concede. We conceded chances at the end but Ederson made two incredible saves. It’s three points and we move forward,” said City manager Pep Guardiola after the game.

Frank Lampard’s Chelsea seem to be putting on quite a run after winning their third consecutive match this past weekend. The 1-0 victory over Newcastle United put Chelsea in fourth spot and level on points with third place Leicester City. Chelsea’s London neighbors Tottenham Hotspur however are struggling for form as they dropped points to Watford in a 1-1 draw at home with an assist from Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

In a post-match interview, Spurs coach Mauricio Pochettino said, “I feel well – good not great – because I saw the team fight and have character.” He added. “It wasn’t a great game but I think we did enough to score and maybe win the game. I am happy with the way the team showed character so it means that the only way we improve is to work hard.”

With Arsenal still left to play against Sheffield United tonight, they will hope to win and go back to third spot in the Premier League. Also, if striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang manages to get on the score sheet, it will make him the fastest Arsenal player to reach 50 goals for the club.

The next round of fixtures will see Manchester City host newly promoted Aston Villa, Chelsea travel to Turf Moor to take on Burnley, Norwich City welcome Manchester United to Carrow Road, Arsenal play Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur go head to head and more.