The second round of fixtures in the English Premier League produced its fair share of thrills and upsets. Liverpool are now the league leaders with two wins from their first two matches while defending Champions Manchester City dropped their first points of the season following a 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
Below, we look at the main talking points from round 2 of the English Premier League.
Liverpool’s backline not as good as last season
Jurgen Klopp’s side finished last season with the best defensive record having conceded just 22 goals. The European Champions have however not kept a clean sheet in their first two League matches despite playing newly prompted Norwich and minnows Southampton.
Also worth noting is The Reds did not keep a clean sheet in the community shield loss to Manchester City and conceded twice against Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup. They need to tighten up at the back.
Dani Ceballos is a baller
Two assists, man of the match and the player who covered the most distance, Dani Ceballos had an eventful full Premier League debut. The man on loan from Real Madrid showed great technical ability that had Arsenal fans comparing him with fellow Spaniard Santi Cazorla.
Arsenal desperately needed someone to replace the departed Aaron Ramsey and luckily for them, Dani Ceballos seems like he could be that guy.
VAR does not fancy Manchester City
Just like in last season Champions League quarter-final second leg match, VAR would again break Manchester City’s hearts. The back to back Premier League Champions were denied a stoppage-time winner from Gabriel Jesus as Aymeric Laporte passed the ball with his hand moments before Jesus scored.
Pep Guardiola would later admit that the decision was the right one but it’s pretty obvious that he wishes VAR did not exist!
Newcastle United are firm relegation candidates
Newcastle could be in for a disastrous season if the early signs are anything to go by. Steve Bruce’s side was outplayed by newly promoted Norwich City and did not look like a Premier League team at any point in the match.
Much of the credit for their survival last season went to former manager Rafa Benitez and now that he is gone, it is looking more and more likely that Newcastle will play in the Championship next season.