Liverpool

Image source, Opta

After the October international break, the Opta supercomputer, external has updated its projected final Premier League table.

It is only seven matches into the campaign so much can still change but the season is beginning to take shape. The supercomputer simulates thousands of seasons and takes the percentage each side finishes in each league position.

As at the start of the campaign, Manchester City remain favourites for the title, but the supercomputer is not as convinced, suggesting the chance of them winning a fifth in a row has fallen from 82.2% to 69.4% of simulations.

Arsenal are still the second favourites and after a strong start have seen their chances improve from 12.2% to 19.6%.

Current leaders Liverpool are currently projected to win their second Premier League title in 10.8% of simulations, which is more than double their pre-season projection of 5.1%.

According to Opta, Chelsea are the only other side to have any chance, but Enzo Maresca's side won the title in only 140 of the 10,000 simulations!

The Blues are fancied to finish in the top four though, making the Champions League places 37.9% of the time.

Everton boss Sean Dyche spoke about the progress of his players that are recovering from injuries, as his side prepare to face Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Saturday.

Image source, Getty Images

Matt Addison believes if Liverpool can win two of their next three games, it "would be a statement" that shows they are capable of winning the Premier League title this season.

Speaking on BBC Radio Merseyside, Addison from Liverpool.com spoke about Liverpool's upcoming run and said: "I'm excited - it's going to be interesting to see if Liverpool can control games the way that they have, or whether that was to do with the lesser opposition, or whether it's a new style.

"Chelsea at the weekend will be an acid test to see where Liverpool are up to, if Liverpool can win and win by a couple of goals then maybe the conversation around a title push may be one the rest of the country will be thinking about.

"The only thing that stops it up to this point is they've not beaten some of the big teams - but they've not had to play them yet."

Addison believes there are reasons to be optimistic about the upcoming fixtures, adding: "Even though it's a tough fixture list, on a case-by-case one-off basis, there's not many of those games you think Liverpool can't win or won't have a really good chance of coming out on top in - I'm excited, I'm intrigued, I don't think there's any reason to be scared.

"There's a good chance we might know [their chances of success] by the end of next week. If they can maybe win two of the three - I think that would be a statement."

Listen to the full clip here

The wider world might be surprised by who Liverpool's fastest player has been this season.

But do you know?

It's not someone at the top end of the pitch...

Find out here

Which Everton player would come first in a sprinting race?

And who does the most walking?

We've gathered the data from the Premier League season so far.

Find out here

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Liverpool full-back Conor Bradley has said coming up against Chelsea will always be a "special" fixture.

A youthful Reds side beat the Blues in last season's Carabao Cup final, while Chelsea were also the opposition against whom the Northern Ireland international scored his first Liverpool goal in January.

The 21-year-old said: "I didn't really expect to start because Trent [Alexander-Arnold] was back, but the gaffer [Jurgen Klopp] put trust in me to play. I used that in the game and went into it full of confidence.

"It was a surreal night scoring my first goal. I remember making a tackle and winning a free-kick and then the Kop was singing my name. I can't describe in words what that felt like.

"It's definitely one of the most special nights, my mates were over for it and I remember going back home after it and I was thinking 'what has just happened?'"

Liverpool head into the weekend top of the Premier League after winning six of their first seven league fixtures under Arne Slot.

However, the Reds face a tough week as a Champions League game against RB Leipzig is sandwiched by Premier League fixtures against Chelsea and Arsenal.

Bradley added: "It's always going to be a special fixture for me when we play [Chelsea] but I have to forget about that now and focus on Sunday as it's another big game for us.

"We're top of the table at the moment and we want to stay there. We have tough fixtures coming up but we have to focus on the next game. We've had a really good start and played some good football.

"It's going to be a step up in level now but we're all relishing it. I can't wait for it."

Full commentary of Liverpool v Chelsea on BBC Radio 5 Live from 16:30 BST on Sunday

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Ben Winstanley, from A View From The Bullens podcast, says Everton's proposed takeover by The Friedkin Group provides the opportunity "to hit the reset button" and it would make sense to part ways with Sean Dyche in that process.

"They are going to want to set their own direction on and off the field," Winstanley told BBC Radio Merseyside. "That will come from the boardroom down as they decide how they want the football club to look.

"Conversations will need to be had to see if we will improve. Do I think Dyche is the manager to take us to the next level? I don't think he is.

"He is what he is, a limited manager, but he has retained us in the Premier League. The work he has done over the last 20 months has been OK - maybe even better than OK.

"His contract is up at the end of the year so that seems like the natural time to perhaps say goodbye with a new owner coming in.

"The football isn't aesthetically pleasing. That is where we are at this moment because we haven't got the players to go up that level.

"It just seems like a good time to hit the reset button."

Listen to the full interview with BBC Radio Merseyside on BBC Sounds

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Everton boss Sean Dyche has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Ipswich Town (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Left-back Vitalii Mykolenko is "looking good" and right-back Seamus Coleman has also returned to training.

• However, Jarrad Branthwaite "is a bit behind them" and Dyche will decide whether he is available for Saturday in the next 24 hours, adding: "It’s just the training schedule. He has no injury, so we just have to be careful."

• James Garner, Tim Iroegbunam and Nathan Patterson are all still sidelined with their respective injuries. Iroegbunam has a foot injury "that is going to be weeks not days," while Garner has a problem with his back.

• Dyche conceded this season "has been a constant struggle of trying to get players fit" but with players slowly returning it should give them a boost to pick up more points.

• On the importance of picking up where they left off before the international break after a draw and a win in their past two games: "There’s still a lot of work to be done but we went back to getting a lot of the basics right and got results. We are showing signs [of improvement]."

• He said "we do feel like we are an anomaly" in terms of the performances reflecting where they are in the league table, but added "the league doesn't lie."

• On opponents Ipswich: "They have spent a recognised fortune so they obviously intend on being in this division. You can’t take anyone for granted as there are no gimmicks in this league."

• Finally, in response to Jordan Pickford showing signs of fatigue and being left out of England's starting XI against Finland on Sunday: "He’s a top-class goalie. The England thing will sort itself out."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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We asked you for one thing nobody is talking about at Everton.

Here are some of your comments:

Richard: I'm a little concerned about Pickford. When he's in form he's brilliant, but lately he seems to be more inconsistent and erratic in his performances which is unsettling the Everton defenders.

Andy: I would say that Everton look more of a threat going forward now than in the last three or four years. Never have we had the passing ability or attacking threat that we have now. I don't think defensive frailties have reflected how good we potentially could be this year.

Duncan: I'm concerned that lots of people are talking about big spending when the takeover happens. The accounts are still the accounts, and whilst we're climbing out of the hole we cannot afford to mismanage the club the way we did under Moshiri.

Ross: We seem to have forgotten that both Armando Broja and Youssef Chermiti are out injured and will give us more options when they are fit again.

Image source, Getty Images

It may still be early days, but Liverpool and Chelsea are preparing to face each other in a crunch Premier League game at Anfield on Sunday.

While they go head to head on the pitch, we have asked our fan writers for each club to go head to head off it.

Each fan got to ask three questions to each other before the big game...

Josh Sexton
Fan writer

Here is what our Reds fan Josh Sexton had to say in response to questions from our Blues fan Will Faulks.

What do you make of Enzo Maresca's beginnings at Chelsea compared to Arne Slot's at Liverpool?

Both Maresca and Slot have had relatively promising starts at their new clubs, especially when you consider the size of the job that both were inheriting - in very different ways.

It is little secret that Maresca was inheriting more of a mess in terms of his new squad, but both seem to have already implemented their ideas and have their teams playing some great football at times.

What are Liverpool's weaknesses which Chelsea can try to take advantage of this weekend - and what are their main strengths?

Liverpool's biggest weakness so far this season is concentration over 90 minutes.

There will always be a point within games where either tired minds or legs kick in and the Reds conspire to shoot themselves in the foot, which is where Chelsea may be able to capitalise.

In terms of strengths, Slot's side are mostly great in possession, do not allow teams to create too many big chances and are absolute menaces in the offensive transition - particularly through Ryan Gravenberch, who has been a revelation this campaign.

Apart from Cole Palmer, if you could take one player from this Chelsea team, who would it be?

I am not even sure I could have confidently said Palmer, because Mohamed Salah plays the same position!

The obvious answer is Moises Caicedo, since Liverpool were Chelsea's closest rival for his signature.

Although I do not think he has necessarily justified the price tag yet (in fairness to him, perhaps that is an impossible task), I would still argue it is generally the area of the squad where the Reds require more natural options as the season progresses.

Josh Sexton can be found at The Anfield Wrap, external

Will Faulks
Fan writer

Here is what our Chelsea fan Will Faulks had to say on questions put to him by our Liverpool supporter Josh Sexton.

What have you made of the transition from Jurgen Klopp to Arne Slot?

It has been amazingly smooth. The quiet transfer window seemed to help, as did the chaos at other top teams, which took attention away from the club.

Slot is already building up credit to see him through any wobbles later in the season, and I am curious to see how the football develops with time.

Which Liverpool player impresses you the most?

There are so many impressive players, from Alisson to Mohamed Salah and Virgil Van Dijk. However this season, I am really interested in Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch.

This is the year where they can go up a gear and prove they are good enough to take up the mantle from the Klopp team as that fades into history.

Are you worried about the possible impact the Anfield atmosphere can have?

It is always an important factor, and this Sunday it could play an even bigger role than usual.

For all the promise of their good start, Chelsea have only had one really tough game this season and it was at home against Manchester City.

Anfield is going to be a huge test for a team that is still young and growing together. They can prove a lot to people just by standing up to it.

Will Faulks can be found at Chelsea News, external

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you to send in your questions for Fara Williams and the former England midfielder and BBC Sport pundit has been answering a selection.

Gerold asked: Between Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, who do you think will extend or leave at the end of this season?

All three players are very important for this Liverpool side.

Van Dijk and Salah are older and may want to make more money elsewhere. They are the ones who have done everything at the club when it comes to trophies and therefore might want to move on.

With Alexander-Arnold it is more difficult. He is homegrown and we know what Liverpool means to him. The only temptation - and I am sure Liverpool fans will not like me saying this - is if Real Madrid came in for him, I think that would be too tempting for him not to go.

If one of the three is to stay, it would be Alexander-Arnold. However, the difficulty with the other two is that they are both still performing at such a high level and are more than capable of signing for another two years.

I do think it is surprising players of that importance have not been tied down to contracts sooner and have been allowed to run them down as much as they have.

In general, as a player going through the contract process, when you are happy you just want that contract signed. I have been at clubs where I never really wanted to leave but then it got to the point where I did. That is where it became tricky.

If you are happy, the contract situation is easy. Sometimes, it is not even about the money.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

Real Madrid have made Liverpool and England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, 26, a priority target. (Athletic - subscription required, external)

Liverpool and Manchester City are interested in Inter Milan's Nicolo Barella, 27, but the Italy midfielder is also on the radar of both Madrid clubs, Real and Atletico Madrid. (Fichajes - in Spanish, external)

Meanwhile, Real are also considering a January move for 18-year-old England youth international Josh Acheampong, with Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham similarly interested in the Chelsea right-back. (Independent, external)

Finally, the Reds are in advanced talks with Sevilla over a deal for French 24-year-old defender Loic Bade. (Todo Fichajes - in Spanish, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

After no wins in their first four, Sean Dyche has steadied the ship at Everton with draws against Leicester and Newcastle sandwiched either side of a vital win over Crystal Palace.

Fears the Blues could play the first season in their new stadium in the Championship have faded, while takeover discussions with The Friedkin Group are trundling on in the background.

However, you know your club best. So when it comes to Everton, what is the one thing nobody is talking about - good or bad?

Tell us here, external