Defensive Struggles and Title Race Concerns: Tottenham, Manchester United, and Liverpool

Tottenham's Defensive Issues

Tottenham's recent performance has highlighted their defensive issues, as they continue to make things harder for themselves by conceding early goals. In their last five games, they have conceded the first goal four times, putting themselves at a disadvantage. While they have managed to overcome this deficit in previous matches, their recent loss to Wolves showed that they were unable to do so this time.

Lack of Clean Sheets

Tottenham's struggle to keep a clean sheet is a cause for concern. Their last clean sheet was in October, and they have failed to keep one since then. Even in their win against Nottingham Forest, the expected goals (xG) suggest that Forest had a good chance of scoring. This trend of conceding too many chances and relying on individual quality to secure victories has been ongoing for months.

Mitigating Circumstances

Tottenham's injury list has been a contributing factor to their defensive struggles. The absence of key players like Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro has affected their defensive stability. However, with no European football or domestic cup competitions to worry about, manager Ange Postecoglou has the opportunity to focus solely on the Premier League and address these defensive issues.

A Chance for Improvement

Tottenham's upcoming game against Crystal Palace provides Postecoglou with two weeks to get his squad fully fit and devise a plan to improve their defensive performance. With the rare opportunity to solely focus on the Premier League, Tottenham can work towards regaining their top-four position and securing a spot in the Champions League.

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Rasmus Hojlund's Scoring Streak

Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund has made headlines with his impressive scoring streak. After a goal drought of 14 consecutive Premier League games, Hojlund has now scored in six consecutive league matches. This achievement puts him in the company of Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Eric Cantona. At just 21 years and 14 days old, Hojlund is also the youngest player in Premier League history to achieve this feat.

Defensive Struggles

Despite Hojlund's scoring prowess, Manchester United's defensive struggles are a cause for concern. They have faced a significant number of shots in league games this season, with eight matches where they faced 20 shots or more. In comparison, Liverpool, under Jurgen Klopp, has faced 20 shots only twice throughout his entire tenure. While United has managed to secure wins, their defensive vulnerabilities are evident.

Room for Improvement

Manchester United's recent win against Luton Town was far from convincing. The team showed signs of disorganization and lacked direction. While they continue to collect points, there is room for improvement in their overall performance, particularly in defense.

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Liverpool's Title Race

Liverpool is currently leading the title race with 57 points, ahead of Arsenal and Manchester City. Their recent win against Brentford showcased their intent to stay at the top. However, injuries to key players, including Diogo Jota, have raised concerns about their ability to maintain their position.

Injury Concerns

Liverpool's victory over Brentford came at a cost, with several players exiting the game early due to injuries. While some injuries were precautionary, Diogo Jota's injury appears to be more serious and could result in an extended absence. Additionally, goalkeeper Alisson is also sidelined with an injury, and the return dates for Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai are uncertain.

Title Race Implications

Liverpool's injuries could potentially impact their chances of winning the title, especially with strong competition from Manchester City and Arsenal. If City continues their dominant form and Arsenal maintains their goal-scoring prowess, Liverpool may struggle to keep up. It is a crucial period for Liverpool, particularly as it is Jurgen Klopp's last season at Anfield.