We’re 8 games in, and the picture at the top of Prem looks far different from what many expected before the campaign commenced.
Based on their stellar winning record last season, Liverpool were heavily touted to reignite their two-horse race alongside Man City for the title, a belief which was further cemented after their win over City in the Community Shield.
Unfortunately for the Reds, the win at Wembley proved to be a thin veneer over a host of problems, as Liverpool has struggled immensely.
Key injuries paired alongside a general lack of intensity have dropped Liverpool all the way down to 9th place, and there appear to be no signs of improvement thus far.
In contrast, Arsenal are flying high and currently leads the pack, although City are within a point’s reach.
The Gunners have greatly strengthened over the summer through a string of smart recruitments, and it’s pretty apparent on the pitch.
The additions of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko in particular have been excellent, with Mikel Arteta’s side consistently churning out results and playing some beautiful football while they’re at it.
Naturally, the vastly different runs of form have led to reasonably different moods at each respective venue, and these two clips perfectly illustrate them.
First up, let’s take a gander at the Emirates on Derby Day against Tottenham as Thomas Partey put Arsenal ahead with a sublime goal. Absolute limbs.
Arsenal are at the top, the footy is fluid, Spurs in the mud, Gooners simply couldn’t have asked for more.
This energy has been a predominant presence in the Emirates throughout this season.
The melancholic lull that fell over the venue after Arsenal’s nightmarish start last season is dead and buried in the past.
Conversely, we have the case of Anfield, which, very much like the home team, seems a bit rattled.
That famed hostile atmosphere Anfield is associated with certainly hasn’t turned up thus far this season, and the noise seemingly fades after their obligatory rendition of ‘YNWA’.
Just check out this clip captured during their most recent encounter against Brighton.
Despite a lacklustre display, the Reds had managed to claw their way back into the game after conceding twice without reply.
After levelling up the scoreline, Liverpool completed a stellar comeback through an own goal by Adam Webster, and the roar following the goal was rather…muffled.
In all fairness, the home support does produce noise but it just isn’t up to their usual standards, and especially not good enough for an impressive comeback.
Needless to say, both the team and the home support need to do better if Liverpool are to mount a title challenge
