Liverpool and Chelsea spark a battle under pressure as Amourim faces a critical test

Liverpool: From perfection to crisis

Liverpool head into the seventh round of the Premier League under heavy pressure after back-to-back defeats at home and on the continent as they travel to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Meanwhile, the Portuguese coach Robin Amorim, in charge of Manchester United, faces a defining test when they host Sunderland.

Liverpool: From perfection to crisis

Only a week ago, Liverpool had enjoyed a perfect start, winning seven in a row across the league, the Champions League and the League Cup. Yet those wins, often secured late, masked several gaps that coach Arne Slot had been trying to patch after a busy summer in the transfer market.

But the crisis soon surfaced: a 1-2 loss to Crystal Palace domestically, followed by a 0-1 defeat to Galatasaray in Europe, leaving the Reds out of balance both technically and mentally.

Even with roughly 450 million pounds spent on big-name signings such as Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, results have fallen short of expectations. Both players—each a nine-figure investment—have yet to open their league accounts.

Salah’s dip and defensive concerns

The tactical tweaks by Slot have had an immediate effect on Mohamed Salah, who found himself on the bench in Istanbul. Though he has since returned from a minor injury, his attacking influence remains a concern for Reds fans.

Defensive issues followed. Liverpool’s new full-backs have faced injuries, while Ibrahima Konaté has shown a downward spell in form, prompting questions about his future at the club.

Former defender Jamie Carragher did not mince his words: “Liverpool aren’t playing football right now; it’s more like basketball with long passes and misses. That’s not how the great sides play.”

Chelsea: a different kind of trouble

While Liverpool falters, Chelsea under Italian coach Enzo Maresca have managed only a point from their last three matches and sit seven points off the pace. The Blues, who had a lengthy push in the Club World Cup last summer, are hampered by injuries and suspensions. Notable absences include key defenders, and a recent red card against Brighton swung a game from a one-goal lead to a three-goal loss.

Amorim: a defining night against Sunderland

Beyond London, Manchester United boss Robin Amorim is under pressure as they host Sunderland at Old Trafford. The Portuguese coach has gathered 34 points from 33 Premier League matches since taking charge in November, a rate that has fans questioning his long-term fit. Entering round seven, United sit 14th after a 1-3 defeat to Brentford last weekend.

Even club legends have their doubts. Wayne Rooney told BBC: “I don’t trust this team. The players don’t deserve to wear the shirt, and what’s happening isn’t all on the coach.”

Meanwhile, Sunderland head to Manchester with momentum after collecting 11 points from their first six games back in the top flight, proving they can run with the big boys.

This momentum heightens the pressure on Amorim, turning Saturday’s game into a kind of last stand that could define his future at United.

Arsenal and Crystal Palace: other angles

Away from the Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford headlines, Arsenal have a chance to move top before facing West Ham, should they overcome a faltering opponent. Crystal Palace, currently sitting near the top, aims to keep their unbeaten run going.

These threads add to a weekend packed with drama for managers, players and fans alike.

Sniper punchlines to wrap things up: if patience were a sniper rifle, Slot would have a clean shot by now—yet the target keeps dodging. And Chelsea’s defense is so porous that the ball might as well submit a search warrant before entering the net.