Five Premier League talking points as decision looms over Anfield hero Harry Maguire

The return of the Premier League following the international break didn’t disappoint as Arsenal strengthened their title ambitions thanks to Harry Maguire. 

From a managerial sacking to a shock at Anfield, there were surprises at both the top and the bottom of the table.

Manchester United supporters will be waking up on Monday with a spring in their step, but the same can’t be said for Tottenham, whose home woes continued.

Here are five talking points from the weekend’s Premier League action.

Harry Maguire deserves a new Manchester United contract

Cometh the hour, cometh the man as Harry Maguire’s forehead came to the rescue once again for Manchester United.

The centre-back loves scoring an important goal, and his winner at Liverpool will sit right towards the top of the list.

Back in the starting XI, Maguire’s performance and goal were a timely reminder that his contract expires at the end of the season.

The 32-year-old may be reaching the twilight of his career, but his quality on the pitch and mentality off it epitomise how United can turn around their fortunes.

Keeping him for at least another season feels like a no-brainer – players of his character can be like gold dust. His wages and contract length may be a sticking point, but the two must come to a solution.

Arne Slot doesn’t know his best team

Four defeats on the spin for Liverpool is the first time that has happened in 11 years since Brendan Rodgers was in charge.

Sitting fourth in the league and four points adrift of Arsenal can’t constitute a crisis just yet, but Arne Slot has big problems on his hands.

One of those being, he has to determine his best side. Alexander Isak needs minutes, but it’s coming to the detriment of Hugo Ekitike, who looked lively when he came off the bench.

It’s telling that when they needed a goal, Mo Salah was hooked in favour of Jeremie Frimpong following another lacklustre performance.

Milos Kerkez continues to struggle, while Slot’s decision to move to a 4-2-4 formation and go gung-ho felt desperate.

3 – Manchester United’s Ruben Amorim is only the third manager to win both of his first two Premier League away games at reigning champions, after Manuel Pellegrini and Antonio Conte. Statement. pic.twitter.com/JlErLYlyDa

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 19, 2025

Tottenham home form a cause for concern

There’s little doubt Tottenham have improved under Thomas Frank since he replaced Ange Postecoglou in the summer.

However, a defeat against Aston Villa, in which they were booed off, was evidence that home comforts are still difficult to come by.

Since the start of last season, Tottenham’s 19 points dropped at home from winning positions is more than any other top-flight club.

They’ve also won just three of their last 18 home matches.

Granted, Villa’s winner through Emil Buendia was sensational, but Spurs’ ambitions to get back into European reckoning seem unlikely unless they can pick up points on home soil.

Can Sean Dyche turn Nottingham Forest around?

If there’s one man who can grind out results, it’s Sean Dyche.

Whether it’s a progressive appointment is a different argument, but it appears as though Evangelos Marinakis has pushed the panic button with Forest sitting in the relegation zone after eight games.

History suggests their European venture won’t help their Premier League form, and on the surface of it, Dyche’s impending appointment will bring stability to the club.

It was only last week that Dyche was saying the Premier League needs more physicality, so Forest fans will know what to expect going forward.

They’ll go back to basics, and while it will prove effective in the short term, time will tell whether Dyche can take them to the levels that Nuno Espirito Santo showed at the Forest ground.

Arsenal title odds shorten

There may have been numerous Arsenal supporters celebrating Harry Maguire coming up with the winner at Anfield.

For the first time this season, the Gunners’ odds of winning the title have dropped to odds-on and can be backed at 5/6.

Their victory at Fulham was impressive and maintained a stunning defensive record that includes conceding just one goal from open play this season.

Question marks surround whether Viktor Gyokeres has the goal-scoring capabilities, particularly when Manchester City have Erling Haaland firing on all cylinders.

But while their defence remains water-tight, Arsenal have every chance of extending their three point lead at the top.