Premier League: Five Key Takeaways from the Opening Weekend

The new Premier League season kicked off with fresh tactics and bold transfers. We highlight five key observations from the opening weekend.

1. Liverpool Exposed on the Counter

Arne Slot’s Liverpool reinforced their attack but left themselves vulnerable to swift transitions. Against Bournemouth, they conceded two quick goals—their fast-break total matched from the entire previous campaign.

Sloppy midfield passes and an aggressive forward setup left gaps at the back. With seven or eight players in Bournemouth’s box, full-backs struggled to recover. Slot may need to adjust full-back roles or midfield structure for better cover.

2. Manchester City on the Rise

After a 4-0 win at Wolves, City have amassed 43 points from 20 matches this year—more than any other club. Despite Rodri’s long-term absence, Pep Guardiola’s side have regained their pre-injury dominance in key metrics.

Their non-penalty expected goal difference per game now rivals their best levels, underlining why betting against them is unwise.

3. Potter’s West Ham Still Searching

Graham Potter’s tenure at West Ham has seen defensive gains—13 fewer goals conceded and 69 fewer shots allowed—but offensive output has dipped. With just two fewer goals scored, the team’s shot and xG numbers have fallen sharply.

To match his predecessor’s record, Potter must beat Chelsea in his next Premier League fixture, underscoring the need for attacking improvements.

4. Tottenham’s Innovative Kick-off Routine

Thomas Frank applied Brentford-inspired tactics at Spurs by turning kick-offs into set plays. Against Burnley, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario feigned a long clearance before a short pass to Pedro Porro, creating dangerous crossing opportunities.

By staging early long balls, Spurs relieve pressure and exploit Porro’s crossing ability. Expect more dead-ball ingenuity this season.

5. Arsenal’s New Direct Approach

Mikel Arteta’s side experimented with faster transitions and vertical passes against Manchester United. While this direct style proved risky, missing the final ball, it creates clear scoring chances when executed correctly.

Balancing this counter-attacking threat with their usual possession-based play will be a key theme this season.

These observations reveal that tactical balance, defensive solidity and set-piece innovation will define the Premier League title race.

This topic was reported by BBC Sport.

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