Even an interrupted season can’t put dampener on City v Liverpool duel

New man Erling Haaland and great depth can fire City to title, writes Henry Winter.

WELCOME to a season of two halves. Even those obsessed with World Cups will surely still find it frustrating to press pause on the Premier League show from November 13 to December 26, just as the duel for the title intensifies between Manchester City and Liverpool, as Gabriel Jesus reaches double figures for Arsenal, as Brennan Johnson skins another fullback at a rocking City Ground and as Elliot Anderson sways through opponents to the strains of Local Hero at St James’ Park. Just as the English Premier League party is in full swing.

It will still be good. There is so much talent and drama about. It will still be a race of two teams, City and Liverpool, a duel that has developed into one of the great sporting rivalries, defined by bewitching football, athleticism – and respect. They are more likely to swap shirts than punches. There is little sparring in press conferences, few digs aimed at each other by the players, some welcome grace in the furnace of competition.

How quickly City assimilate striker Erling Haaland, tweaking their system to exploit his runs through on goal (and midfielder Kevin De Bruyne will be key), could define the race. Television does not do Haaland justice. He’s quicker, stronger and taller than captured on the small screen. He is beauty and the beast in one mobile, menacing forward, he is still developing and his attitude is elite level.

Asked about Jack Grealish’s excellent performance in the friendly win over Bayern Munich, Haaland replied: ‘‘He’s good, he has to get better, I have to get better.’’

He challenged his team-mates as well as himself. He looked so angry after his miss against Liverpool in the Community Shield, and then watching them receive their winners’ medals. That bodes well for City.

Haaland is why City (who I think will finish first) should just hold off Liverpool (second). Liverpool also invested excitingly in striker Darwin Nunez, and the Uruguayan is going to cause havoc in opposition defences, while winger Luis Diaz will be even more up to speed – but City have that strength in depth, and if manager Pep Guardiola uses them, can call on five substitutes this season.

The chase to the elite pair will be led by Tottenham Hotspur (third), given their signings, especially the marauding Croatian Ivan Perisic at left wingback. Chelsea (fourth) have signed superbly in Kalidou Koulibaly, an experienced centreback and leader, while Conor Gallagher deserves his chance in midfield. Raheem Sterling brings goals, assists and an elite mindset.

Arsenal (fifth) enjoyed a great pre-season and Jesus is the focal point and finisher they need for all their creative approach players. Mikel Arteta may start to receive the credit he deserves for rejuvenating Arsenal and instilling

discipline. The distracting Cristiano Ronaldo saga rumbles on, but new manager Erik ten Hag will gradually impose his discipline and credo on Manchester United (sixth). Expect good seasons from English forwards Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford.

Sven Botman and Nick Pope will strengthen Newcastle United’s defence (seventh), but they still have to keep strikers Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin fit. One of the most important events of the summer was West Ham United (eighth) holding on to midfielder Declan Rice, while Boubacar Kamara brings security in front of the back four of Aston Villa (ninth).

Keeping attacker Ruben Neves was important for Wolves (10th), but again goals will be an issue. Leicester City (11th) have to resist any more raids on their playing talent and invest themselves, but still have plenty of quality in Youri Tielemans, James Justin, Harvey Barnes and Jamie Vardy, who will need all his stubbornness to ignore

more chants about his wife.

Crystal Palace (12th) need to score more, but will again be good to watch on the counter. Brighton (13th) have lost Yves Bissouma and, probably, Marc Cucurella, but they rightly trust in the alchemist manager Graham Potter. Another injury to forward Dominic CalvertLewin is a frustrating way for Everton (14th) to go into the new season, and they have to strengthen. James Tarkowski’s willingness to throw himself in the way of shots will bring some much needed defiance to the defence.

Leeds United (15th) have made signings who know the Jesse Marsch way. The American head coach has known Tyler Adams since he was a 15-year-old at New York Red Bulls, and worked with him again at RB Leipzig. Adams looks a shrewd recruit. He studied N’Golo Kante and Fabinho and will need some of their qualities to fill in for the departed Kalvin Phillips.

Brentford (16th) have the experience of Ben Mee and the promise of their record $NZ30 million signing Keane LewisPotter. Striker Ivan Toney needs to show the warrior within more consistently.

Nottingham Forest (17th) can stay up because of their passionate home support, inspirational head coach Steve Cooper and because signings Dean Henderson and Jesse Lingard have points to prove to Manchester United and England.

Joe Aribo looks a good signing, but Southampton (18th) cannot rely on James Ward-Prowse for ever. Fulham (19th) may struggle to fight the yo-yo syndrome, although Bernd Leno is a proper Premier League-quality goalkeeper and Aleksandar Mitrovic will surely show he can finish at this level. Scott Parker deserved proper backing at Bournemouth (20th).

Team form is only one part of the show. PGMOL, the refereeing body, is trying to be more open and accountable, and will be when Howard Webb replaces Mike Riley, but the quality of officiating needs improving, and the delays in many VAR decisions lessen the spectacle. If a decision cannot be made within 90 seconds, it is not a clear and obvious error. Part of the joy of football is the flow.

Atmospheres at games will continue in this strange postpandemic dynamic of utter excitement to be back in grounds, noise and adrenaline flowing, but with less patience and more questioning. That reality is even more prevalent on social media. The vast majority of fans, though, remain the lifeblood of the game, and its conscience, yet continue to be taken advantage of, with high ticket prices, moved kickoffs and travel issues. The independent regulator cannot open its office soon enough – the in-tray overflows.

Club captains, some after consulting their dressing rooms, have decided that taking a knee is losing its meaning. It’s had a significant impact; when introduced there were plenty of boos, now there is almost universal stadiumwide applause. A gesture that is about human values, not politics, whatever the naive or blinkered believe, has made people think more about intolerance. The EPL still has to maintain the debate in some form of campaign.

Premier League clubs still deserve huge praise for their investment in academies now flooding the national team with prodigious talents, and for their remarkable community work. Everton in the Community has more than 240 dedicated full-time staff and 160 volunteers. Man United Foundation laid on 14,529 sessions and events at schools and projects in 2021. Many of the headlines around Everton and United are difficult, but clubs are more than just teams.