The Japan Times - Liverpool seek to steady ship, Man Utd's Amorim faces must-win game

Arsenal can climb to the top of the table ahead of kick-off at Stamford Bridge should they beat struggling West Ham as third-placed Crystal Palace defend the only unbeaten record in the Premier League.

AFP Sport looks at the major talking points ahead of the weekend action.

New-look Liverpool not 'a top team'

A week ago all seemed to be going to plan for defending champions Liverpool, who boasted a perfect record of seven wins from as many games in the Premier League, Champions League and League Cup.

However, many of those victories were earned with last-gasp goals, papering over the cracks as Arne Slot sought to find the right balance in a squad transformed during the transfer window.

Liverpool splashed out nearly £450 million ($606 million) on new talent but also lost a number of key players including Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz to fund those moves.

The bulk of the spending went on Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, but neither of the £100-million-plus signings has yet scored for the Reds in the Premier League.

The remodelling of the Liverpool attack has also reduced the impact of Mohamed Salah, who started Tuesday's 1-0 Champions League defeat to Galatasaray on the bench.

At the other end of the pitch, new full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong have been exposed while Ibrahima Konate is woefully out of form, with his future at the club in doubt.

"I'm not watching a top team," said former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.

"Liverpool aren't playing football at the moment, they are playing basketball. It is just end to end and I don't think top teams play like that."

Despite Liverpool's flaws, Chelsea would love to be in their shoes.

Enzo Maresca's men are seven points behind the leaders after taking just a single point from their past three matches.

Chelsea may be paying the price for their exertions in winning the Club World Cup in July, with injuries and suspensions already piling up.

Cole Palmer, Liam Delap and Levi Colwill are among notable injury absentees, while Trevoh Chalobah is banned after his red card provoked a collapse from 1-0 up to a 3-1 defeat at home to Brighton last week.

Amorim's last dance?

A looming two-week international break makes the visit of fifth-placed Sunderland even more of a must-win for Ruben Amorim if he is to guarantee Saturday is not his final game in the Old Trafford dugout.

The Portuguese has taken just 34 points from his 33 Premier League games since taking charge last November.

After the club's worst league finish (15th) since they were relegated in 1974, Amorim needed a fast start this season to prove he is capable of turning United's fortunes around.

Instead, the Red Devils start the weekend in 14th spot after a shocking defensive display during a 3-1 loss to Brentford last weekend.

"After everything I've seen, honestly, I've got no faith in it," United's record goalscorer Wayne Rooney told the BBC.

"What is going on, this is not all on the manager, by the way. Players, they're not deserving to wear that shirt and it hurts."

Sunderland travel to the Theatre of Dreams full of confidence after impressing on their return to the top division.

The Black Cats are well on course to buck the trend of promoted clubs going straight back down to the Championship after taking 11 points from their opening six matches.

Fixtures

Friday (all times GMT)

Bournemouth v Fulham (1900)

Saturday

Leeds v Tottenham (1130), Arsenal v West Ham, Man Utd v Sunderland (both 1400), Chelsea v Liverpool (1630)

Sunday

Aston Villa v Burnley, Everton v Crystal Palace, Newcastle v Nottingham Forest, Wolves v Brighton (all 1300), Brentford v Manchester City (1530)

K.Hashimoto--JT