One photo sums up Man Utd hopes amid big blow; Liverpool ‘like a pub team’ – Talking Pts

Liverpool could have gone eight points cleat at the top of the Premier League ladder had they beaten Arsenal, but the Gunners instead closed the gap to just two points after a 3-1 win over the Reds.

It means the title race is well and truly on, with Manchester City playing tomorrow (Tues. 7am AEDT) against Brentford – and with a second game in hand, they could go top of the league with two wins.

The Reds’ defence was torn apart by ‘schoolboy’ errors that evidenced a lack of intensity compared to Mikel Arteta’s men.

Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is under a dark cloud after two big losses in the space of a week.

And there’s promising signs for Manchester United as three young stars continued a hot run of form – but they were also struck down by a ‘personal disaster’ as a key player was injured.

Here’s the biggest talking points from the Premier League!

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REDS SLIP UP AFTER ‘PUB TEAM’ DEFENDING

Liverpool’s defence has played a key role in their return to the pointy end of the ladder this season. Entering this round, they had conceded 19 goals in 22 matches – the best defensive record in the league.

But Arsenal – knowing a loss would put them eight points off the Reds – played with much greater intensity than their rivals and ran out 3-1 winners, thanks largely to some horrible defending from Liverpool.

The turning point, and the most egregious error, handed Arsenal a second goal for a 2-1 lead.

Virgil van Dijk failed to head away a long ball and collided with goalkeeper Alisson as the keeper came out to clear, with the ball falling to Gabriel Martinelli to pass it home into an empty net.

Van Dijk was also caught out of position for Arsenal’s opening goal, and probably should