Liverpool without Isak aim to find form as Man City return to peak performance

Liverpool need to end their run of three successive Premier League defeats during Saturday's away match at Brentford to stay close to Arsenal and the impressive Manchester City.

Manchester City's streak of nine matches without a loss faces a challenge from their journey to Aston Villa, whereas table-topping Arsenal host Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium.

Manchester United seek to capitalise on their recent triumph at Anfield but encounter a Brighton team accustomed to success at Old Trafford over recent years.

AFP Sports examines three standout matches from the weekend schedule:

Might Isak's injury benefit Liverpool?

The absence of Alexander Isak, the Premier League's priciest acquisition, due to a groin problem may unexpectedly assist Arne Slot in discovering the ideal lineup to reverse Liverpool's poor run.

The Swedish forward's sole goal since his 125 million pound (167 million dollar) transfer from Newcastle occurred versus lower division Southampton in the League Cup, with inadequate pre-season preparation affecting his adaptation at Anfield.

Isak left the pitch at the interval in Wednesday's 5-1 Champions League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, helping the Reds break a sequence of four straight losses.

Featuring Hugo Ekitike back as the main striker and Florian Wirtz playing in his favoured position supporting the forward, Liverpool found their rhythm after the break.

Wirtz, omitted from the previous two Premier League outings, notched his initial two assists following his 100 million pound switch from Bayer Leverkusen.

Although Ekitike has shone early on with five goals across 11 appearances for Liverpool, the French player sat out the starting lineup in all three of his team's Premier League setbacks against Crystal Palace, Chelsea, and United.

Without Isak, the 23-year-old should secure the consistent starts he desired.

Brighton offers real measure of Man Utd's upturn

"The verdict comes after facing Brighton," remarked Ruben Amorim regarding whether United have truly improved, right after the Red Devils' initial victory at Liverpool in almost ten years.

This crucial success in Amorim's management marked the first instance of the Portuguese securing consecutive league wins, almost a year after assuming the position.

Following Brighton's comfortable 3-1 success at Old Trafford in January, Amorim drew attention by suggesting his team might represent the weakest in club history.

However, that victory formed part of three straight wins at the Theatre of Dreams for the Seagulls, beginning with their debut triumph there in 2022.

Overall, Brighton have claimed six of the past seven Premier League clashes between these opponents.

A win for United would elevate them to the top four temporarily and offer concrete proof of advancement under Amorim.

Guardiola spots signs of revival

City enter the weekend in second position, trailing the leaders by three points, and displaying indications of overcoming the slump that led to their unexpected drop last season.

Pep Guardiola's side ended up a remote third behind Liverpool and Arsenal in their initial trophy-free campaign in eight years.

Initial losses to Tottenham and Brighton hinted at continued struggles for Guardiola's revamped lineup.

Yet, the addition of towering Italian keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Erling Haaland's relentless scoring have pulled City back into the championship race.

"I sense we are regaining our former standards," Guardiola commented post their 2-0 Champions League success at Villarreal on Tuesday.

"Last term proved difficult, yet the current atmosphere and team display reassure me."

Visiting Villa Park, where City suffered defeats in the last two seasons, serves as a key indicator of their title aspirations.

After a sluggish beginning, Villa have secured three successive Premier League victories.

Haaland's run of goals in 12 games for club and nation has concealed the detail that no other City player has netted in the Premier League for almost a month.

Friday (all times GMT)

Leeds v West Ham (1900)

Saturday

Newcastle v Fulham, Chelsea v Sunderland (1400), Manchester United v Brighton (1630), Brentford v Liverpool (1900)

Sunday

Wolves v Burnley, Bournemouth v Nottingham Forest, Arsenal v Crystal Palace, Aston Villa v Manchester City (1400), Everton v Tottenham (1630)