It could prove to be a landmark weekend in the Premier League season as Liverpool stretched their lead to nine points at the top of the table, and eleven points off reigning champions Manchester City. Arne Slot continued his almost perfect start to life as Reds boss by inflicting yet another defeat on Manchester City
Here are the biggest talking points from Matchday 13.
Liverpool's title to lose
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They would not want to say it too loud on Merseyside because it is only December, but it must feel like Liverpool now have at least a little finger grip on the Premier League title. [The win over Manchester City was expected](https://www.dazn.com/en-GB/news/soccer/this-is-the-last-city-game-i-will-play-for-liverpool-mohamed-salah-praises-anfield-atmosphere-in-big-victory/5fbh2iz1ncg71addinfy6a8gz), given the form of both sides, but the Reds were so dominating and so controlled that it is hard to see who can now stop them from winning their 20th league crown. The concern aimed at Arne Slot's impressive start to life at Anfield was the fact that his team had yet to play anyone of substance. Well, in a week, they have comfortably dispatched the European champions and the reigning Premier League champions and never looked like faltering. That is now 17 wins in the Dutchman's first 19 games, and no side has had this much of a lead at this stage and not gone on to win the title.
Only a meltdown of multi-level proportions could stop Liverpool now.
Pep's new problem
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On the flip side of Sunday's result is the sorry state of Manchester City's performance. Pep Guardiola's men hardly laid a glove on Liverpool throughout the whole game, with the only meaningful chance coming late on via a Virgil van Dijk mistake. They are now eleven points behind the leaders in the title race, a gap that seems even beyond this great team, and it presents a new challenge for the Spanish boss. Never before has he lost four league games in a row, and puts huge pressure on Wednesday's visit of Nottingham Forest to the Etihad.
His title-winning gesture to the Anfield crowd was reminiscent of a desperate Jose Mourinho, and it feels like a watershed moment in his Premier League story. Has he another trick up his sleeve to wake City from their slump?
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Sticky time for Toffees
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Sunday's 4-0 win may have been the perfect home Premier League start for Ruben Amorim's Manchester United reign, but it was another disaster of a day for his opposite number.
Everton offered very little at Old Trafford, and they have now failed to score in their last four league games - stretching back to October 26th.
They still remain two points above the relegation zone, but it feels like Sean Dyche is on borrowed time. A massive change in fortune is needed for the manager because his days could be numbered when the eventual takeover at Everton happens, and a new board will want a new man in charge.
Villa vanishing
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It is now no win in six Premier League games for Aston Villa, who find themselves in 12th place in the table following the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea. The season may only be 13 games old, but there is a leggy and tired look to Unai Emery's side, and it seems the Champions League run is taking its toll on the Villa squad.
Last season, Newcastle showed just how difficult it is to juggle both competitions, and it looks like the same is happening at Villa Park. The difficulty now is trying to save their league season but also still try and progress in Europe - especially if the club want to go back there again next year.
Gunners firing again
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The title talk has swung back in the direction of Arsenal, who could now be Liverpool's closest challengers this season. The Gunners swept West Ham away in a stunning first-half show on Saturday and look to be finding their stride once again following the return of Martin Odegaard. Nine points is still quite a gap to bridge, but Mikel Arteta's side has two seasons' worth of experience chasing a league title, which could play in their favour as the campaign goes on - as long as they avoid injuries to key players.
The meeting of Arsenal and Liverpool at Anfield, three games from the end of the season, could be one tasty affair next May.
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