Summary

  1. Comparisons between Slot and Klopppublished at 15:05 Greenwich Mean Time 11 November

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Fans of Liverpool hold up a banner for Arne Slot.Image source, Getty Images

    Simon, London: Hi Phil. Is Arne Slot showing how hugely over-rated Jurgen Klopp was? Klopp was always full of excuses, such as early kick-offs, but in reality he just wasn't able to get the most out of a very strong squad whereas Slot has got the same group firing straight away.

    Phil: Hello, Simon. Can’t have that I’m afraid.

    Jurgen Klopp revitalised an entire club and fanbase, winning all the major trophies available in a nine-year career at Anfield.

    Yes, there is a sense they might have won more but the two Champions League Finals he lost were against Real Madrid while they were battling an extraordinary team domestically in Manchester City. Let’s face it. If it was not for Klopp’s Liverpool challenging Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, we would have had some pretty dull Premier League seasons over a number of years.

    On the separate point you mention, Arne Slot has made a fantastic start but 11 Premier League games do not mean it is time to reflect on Klopp’s tenure in a negative light.

  2. 'I really like Chelsea'published at 15:00 Greenwich Mean Time 11 November

    Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal

    Glenn Murray
    Former Brighton striker on Football Daily podcast

    Pedro Neto of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's goal against Arsenal.Image source, Getty Images

    It was a really good game of football to watch. It was two teams honestly trying to win the game.

    I really like Chelsea, I must admit. I think what they've done there and the group of players they've put together, it's super exciting.

    It feels like they are starting to get that balance at the back right. And it seems to be the settled pair that are spending more and more time together are Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana and they look good. They're mobile, strong.

    It felt like that this afternoon was a bigger game for Arsenal than it was for Chelsea.

    Listen to Football Daily's Premier League Review.

  3. 'This generation's Thierry Henry' - how good is Isak?published at 14:57 Greenwich Mean Time 11 November

    Nottingham Forest 1-3 Newcastle

    Alexander IsakImage source, Getty Images

    The goals are flowing again for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, but could the Magpies soon face a fight to keep him at St James' Park?

    The 25-year-old Sweden forward scored for the fourth time in four games to help his side fight back to beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 on Sunday, and his all-round display impressed former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott, who was watching for BBC MOTD2.

    "When you talk about the mould for the ultimate build of a perfect striker, Isak has got all of those elements," Walcott told BBC Sport.

    "I am not saying he is perfect yet, but he has got all the attributes he needs to become perfect."

    Read more from Chris Bevan on Alexander Isak here

  4. 'Van Nistelrooy has done everything right'published at 14:53 Greenwich Mean Time 11 November

    Man Utd 3-0 Leicester

    Nigel Reo-Coker
    Former West Ham midfielder on the Football Daily podcast

    Ruud van Nistelrooy, the interim head coach of Manchester United, reacts.Image source, Getty Images

    Ruud van Nistelrooy has got his time in the limelight and now, he's got to use it wisely.

    We've seen a completely different Manchester United playing the same formation in their 4-2-3-1. He's not gone and changed them tactically, but we've seen a response from the players.

    For the CEOs and directors of football watching, they should be thinking he's got to be someone they should be looking at for a potential managerial job, after getting that response in such a short time from the same set of players.

    He's done everything that was asked of him and it's now just a matter of who it's going to be wise enough to give him a job.

    Listen to Football Daily's Premier League Review.

  5. Touchdown for Amorimpublished at 14:50 Greenwich Mean Time 11 November

    Ruben Amorim has arrived in Manchester, as he prepares to get to work at Old Trafford in the coming days.

    The official X account of Manchester Airport has tweeted, external: "A private jet arrived from Portugal this afternoon - wonder who could be on board..."

  6. Full Opta predictionspublished at 14:45 Greenwich Mean Time 11 November

    Plenty to go at from those predictions, and you can view them all for yourself in the graphic below...

    Opta Analysts' latest predictions for the final 2024-25 Premier League tableImage source, Opta
  7. All or nothing for Man Unitedpublished at 14:39 Greenwich Mean Time 11 November

    Of all the latest predictions, Opta have given chances for Manchester United to finish in any position between third and 18th this season. No team has been given a higher range of positions, while Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest have also been projected to finish between third and 18th.

    The side about to be inherited by Ruben Amorim are given low chances of qualifying for Europe next season meaning a lower-positioned finish is much more likely for them.

    Opta's predictions for Manchester United

    • Top four (2.1%)
    • Top five (6.6%)
    • Top seven (22%)
    • Eighth to tenth (36.1%)
    • 11th to 14th (31.8%)
    • 15th to 17th (4.4%)
    • Relegation (0.1%)
  8. Opta's relegation predictionspublished at 14:34 Greenwich Mean Time 11 November

    The latest numbers from Opta have tipped newly-promoted Southampton, Ipswich Town and Leicester City as the three most likely teams to get relegated at the end of the season.

    Shortly behind them are Wolves, Crystal Palace and Everton.

    Opta's predicted bottom three

    • Southampton 94.9%
    • Ipswich Town 70.7%
    • Leicester City 46.9%
    • Wolves 44.4%
    • Everton 18.8%
    • Crystal Palace 18.3%
    • West Ham 3.6%
    • Brentford 1.1%
    • Bournemouth 0.3%
    • Nottingham Forest 0.2%
    • Manchester United 0.1%
  9. 'Won't bank on Postecoglou or Martin changing'published at 14:28 Greenwich Mean Time 11 November

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Southampton boss Russell Martin looks onImage source, Getty Images

    Alan: Phil, do you think football commentators like yourself are over enamoured of managers who "stick to their guns"? I'm thinking of those like Martin at Southampton and of course Postecoglou at Spurs. Why do you not like pragmatic managers?

    Phil: Hi Alan. You’ve got the wrong person here.

    If you want to trawl back through these Q&As – and I wouldn’t want you to waste your valuable time on that so take my word for it – the need to be more “pragmatic” is something I have said many times about Ange Postecoglou and more recently about Russell Martin.

    While I do admire managers who have what is now called a “philosophy”, I think it is self-defeating to simply stick to it, even if the face of the evidence…namely losing too many games.

    It was the same with Vincent Kompany last season when his principles took Burnley straight back to the Championship without even causing a ripple in the Premier League.

    If it is successful, then fine. I do think Postecoglou was rumbled a bit on many occasions last season. Spurs are very entertaining to watch, but not always in the way their fans enjoy. I also think Postecoglou’s major problem is the rank inconsistency of his side. He has to solve that.

    And I also think Martin is in danger of taking Southampton the same way as Burnley, which would be a shame as they are club with an awful lot going for them.

    While Postecoglou or Martin change? I wouldn’t bank on it.

  10. Opta's top seven predictionspublished at 14:24 Greenwich Mean Time 11 November

    Should the Carabao Cup and FA Cup both be won by sides who have already qualified for Europe, European qualification for the Europa League and Conference League will drop down to seventh.

    If that is the case, Opta have tipped Brighton and Tottenham to join Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle in the top seven.

    Opta's top seven predictions

    • Liverpool (100%)
    • Manchester City (100%)
    • Arsenal (99.6%)
    • Chelsea (89.6%)
    • Newcastle (72%)
    • Brighton (55.2%)
    • Tottenham (53.4%)
    • Aston Villa (46.4%)
    • Fulham (23.6%)
    • Manchester United (22%)
    • Nottingham Forest (16.3%)
    • Bournemouth (12.8%)
    • Brentford (6%)
    • West Ham (2.5%)
    • Crystal Palace (0.2%)
    • Everton (0.1%)
  11. Opta's Europe predictionspublished at 14:18 Greenwich Mean Time 11 November

    The latest numbers from Opta have given Liverpool a 99.8% chance of a top four finish, which would guarantee them Europe and Champions League football next season.

    Second is Manchester City at 99.4%, with Arsenal (91.2%) and Chelsea (49.8%) the most likely to make up the top four.

    Opta's top four predictions

    • Liverpool (99.8%)
    • Manchester City (99.4%)
    • Arsenal (91.2%)
    • Chelsea (49.8%)
    • Newcastle (21.9%)
    • Brighton (11.1%)
    • Tottenham (10.5%)
    • Aston Villa (8.6%)
    • Fulham (2.8%)
    • Manchester United (2.1%)
    • Nottingham Forest (1.4%)
    • Bournemouth (0.9%)
    • Brentford (0.5%)

    A top five finish would guarantee Europe via the Champions League or Conference League. Liverpool have been given an 100% chance of a top five finish, with Manchester City (99.8%), Arsenal (96.4%), Chelsea (69.9%) and Newcastle United (42.4%).

    Opta's top five predictions

    • Liverpool (100%)
    • Manchester City (99.8%)
    • Arsenal (96.4%)
    • Chelsea (69.9%)
    • Newcastle (42.4%)
    • Brighton (25.4%)
    • Tottenham (23.7%)
    • Aston Villa (19.6%)
    • Fulham (7.2%)
    • Manchester United (6.6%)
    • Nottingham Forest (4.2%)
    • Bournemouth (3.1%)
    • Brentford (1.3%)
    • West Ham (0.3%)
  12. Opta's Premier League winner predictionspublished at 14:12 Greenwich Mean Time 11 November

    The latest numbers from Opta have given Liverpool a 60.3% chance of winning the Premier League this season.

    Defending champions Manchester City, currently second in the standings, have been given a 34.3% chance of winning a fifth straight title in May.

    Arsenal are third favourites with a 5% chance, with Chelsea the only team given a chance of a first title for eight seasons, at 0.3%.

  13. Opta's latest predictionspublished at 14:07 Greenwich Mean Time 11 November

    Opta Analyst have given their latest forecast for the current Premier League table and who will finish where at the end of the season.

    The numbers have changed slightly since the numbers posted in our analysis on Sunday night, but on the whole, remain similar.

    We're now going to take a look at those numbers over a quarter of the way into the campaign, and how this season is expected to finish.

  14. 'Can't blame Levy for Spurs inconsistency'published at 14:01 Greenwich Mean Time 11 November

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Dejan Kulusevski of Tottenham Hotspur looks dejectedImage source, Getty Images

    Matt: Hi Phil, after another “Dr. Tottenham” performance yesterday, I've been pondering where that culture comes from, and the only consistent factor is Daniel Levy/ENIC. Can owners really affect a club's identity on the pitch in that way?

    Phil: What a very good description, Matt. It is almost tempting to give up on trying to work out Spurs.

    You’re right, Daniel Levy/Enic are consistent factors but I’m not sure you can blame them for players who are outstanding one week, as against Aston Villa, then awful the next against Ipswich Town.

    I know Levy has his critics among many Spurs fans of my acquaintance, people who really love the club, and I do think there was a need to back Mauricio Pochettino in a more meaningful way after Spurs reached the Champions League final in 2019, but those players are the ones whose standards seem to shift with the wind. That is a job for them and the manager, Ange Postecoglou.

    Let’s face it, Matt. We could spend weeks trying to get to the bottom of Spurs and still not come up with a satisfactory answer. I sympathise with their fans, who must be tearing their hair out in frustration.

  15. 'No immediate threat to Postecoglou'published at 13:53 Greenwich Mean Time 11 November

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou reacts after a match.Image source, Getty Images

    @AnthonyAshton1 on X: How long do you see Ange Postecoglou surviving at Spurs? Yet another rinse and repeat whilst the owners get away with it.

    Phil: I certainly don’t see any immediate threat to Ange Postecoglou’s position at Spurs, although he has a serious problem to resolve with the rampant inconsistency that is plaguing them, overpowering a very good side in Aston Villa one week then losing tamely at home to struggling Ipswich Town the next.

    He needs to somehow find an answer to that, as do his players. Let’s not forget them – they are the ones who are outstanding one week then bang average the next.

    As always, these things will eventually be judged on results.

  16. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:45 Greenwich Mean Time 11 November

    Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Villa need to stop the rot before this season fizzles out. The Palace and Tottenham games were particularly disappointing but we need a reset and to get a few wins under our belts again after the international break.

    Marc

  17. 'International break so important for City'published at 13:40 Greenwich Mean Time 11 November

    Brighton 2-1 Man City

    Glenn Murray
    Former Brighton striker on Football Daily podcast

    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola looks dejected.Image source, Getty Images

    One thing that was a saving grace for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City was that their first three defeats had come in different competitions.

    But now it's back-to-back losses in the Premier League and it's starting to be a worry. They don't want that gap between them and Liverpool at the top to grow too big.

    The international break is so important for City. It will be that little bit of breathing space for them to regain a bit of composure and get some lads back who are on the cusp of being fit.

    They had Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake on the bench and I think they would've started if they were anywhere near fit.

    They look very susceptible, especially in counter attack and they haven't been their clinical self. Letting Julian Alvarez go to Atletico Madrid without any real coverage could be a continuing problem for City.

    Listen to Football Daily's Premier League Review.

  18. 'A lot of teams are catching up'published at 13:37 Greenwich Mean Time 11 November

    John Cross
    Daily Mirror Chief Football Writer on BBC Radio 5 Live

    On the tight battle for the top four, with one point separating Chelsea in third and ninth-place Aston Villa: "There’s a lot of teams searching for consistency and there’s a lot of teams who are being dragged to mediocrity by a couple of things - too many games, new European challenges and I think a lot of teams are catching up.

    "I think it shapes up for something quite interesting."

  19. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:33 Greenwich Mean Time 11 November

    Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    I can't believe the negativity surrounding Arsenal from some commenters. Three dodgy red cards, injuries to star players and a very tough fixture list. November is much too early to be making title declarations or questioning Arteta's job security?! Criticism of the squad structure is warranted but there are some very short memories around. We'd have killed just to be mentioned as title contenders four years ago. Regroup during the international break and reassess in the New Year.

    Tom, London

  20. 'A big season for Arteta'published at 13:30 Greenwich Mean Time 11 November

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Mikel Arteta on the sidelines.Image source, Getty Images

    @SiHawkes on X: Ignoring the Community Shield, Arteta has won one trophy in 17 attempts since he's been manager at Arsenal. They STILL need a prolific striker. They're nine points from the top of the table after only a few months in. If unsuccessful again this season, should he go?

    Phil: I agree this is a big season for Mikel Arteta. He really does need tangible success but do I think he should go if he doesn’t get it? Absolutely not.

    I do think there has been progress, albeit over a lengthy period by modern day managerial standards, and I think that is shared by the Arsenal hierarchy, who have placed their faith in him. Arsenal, however, is a club built on winning silverware so that needs to arrive soon.

    Where I do take your point fully is I think it has been a mistake not to sign a proven striker. I do think this might return to haunt them in the months ahead.

    Arteta has credit in the bank, but an actual trophy would certainly help confirm the direction of travel he is taking.