Premier League: Crisis in Amorim and Salah? Surprises in the table?

The Premier League returns this weekend with a stellar clash at Anfield, where Liverpool will face Manchester United. After the international break, the English league returns with the usual excitement. After seven matchdays, the standings begin to outline a fight for the title and a battle for survival. The newly promoted teams, Burnley, Leeds United and Sunderland, still dream of avoiding relegation. However, the pressure is mounting on coaches like Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou. Furthermore, the high-profile summer signings, including Florian Wirtz and Matheus Cunha, have yet to make the expected impact at their new clubs. Meanwhile, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace are showing signs that they could aim for qualification for the UEFA Champions League.

Key Points to Discuss

• How to solve Manchester United’s problems, inspired by Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City?
• What is failing at Liverpool? The signings? Salah? The schedule?
• The most extravagant kit designs of the 2025-26 season.

Amorim and Postecoglou, until November?

Ruben Amorim received public backing from Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who stated that the Manchester United coach cannot be judged until he has been in the position for three years. Despite this show of confidence, Amorim remains, statistically, the worst United coach in the Premier League era. The United has not achieved consecutive victories since the Portuguese coach took over last November. Their last away win was against relegated Leicester City in March. The next challenge for United is the match against Liverpool, which could be a crucial test for Amorim. Ange Postecoglou of Nottingham Forest faces even greater pressure after seven winless games. The former Tottenham Hotspur coach was chosen by Forest’s demanding owner, Evangelos Marinakis, but the team has declined under his direction, and fans have already shown their discontent.

Is Salah in decline?

Mohamed Salah, currently in fourth place among the top scorers in the Premier League, could become the third player to surpass 200 goals if he scores 12 more times for Liverpool. However, are we witnessing a decline in his performance? Since February, Salah has scored 14 goals for Liverpool in all competitions, six of them from penalties. So far this season, he has only managed two goals and two assists in seven league games. With the Africa Cup of Nations in December, Salah could be absent from Liverpool for six weeks, in addition to the competition from Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike. Despite these challenges, Salah will face Manchester United on Sunday, a team against which he has scored 16 goals, his best record against a rival.

It’s time for the big signings to prove their worth

After more than two months of action in the Premier League, players like Florian Wirtz, Matheus Cunha, Alexander Isak, and Eberechi Eze need to prove their worth in their new teams. Wirtz, who arrived at Liverpool for a considerable sum, has yet to make an impact on the team. Isak, who joined Liverpool on the last day of the transfer window, has only registered one assist in three Premier League matches. Both signings need to perform better. Cunha, signed by United to improve their attack, has yet to score or assist in six appearances. Eze, at Arsenal, has contributed two assists in six games since his arrival.

Can Bournemouth and Palace keep up the pace?

Bournemouth and Crystal Palace, with Andoni Iraola and Oliver Glasner as coaches, respectively, generate expectations of a possible qualification for the top four. Bournemouth is only two points away from the leaders, while Palace is two points away. Both teams will face each other at Selhurst Park on Saturday, and they have outstanding players. Antoine Semenyo has scored six goals and registered three assists for Bournemouth, while Adrien Truffert has proven to be a great signing. Palace has players like Adam Wharton, Marc Guéhi, Daniel Muñoz, Daichi Kamada and Jean-Phillippe Mateta. The Palace seems to have the most depth to challenge for the top four spots, but Bournemouth also has quality.

Are the Wolves doomed?

The survival prospects for the Wolves are not encouraging, as they are at the bottom of the table without any wins so far this season. With the departure of key players, the Wolves could face a difficult season. Their upcoming matches will be crucial.