Reds feel pressure to end ‘crisis’ run, City test Bournemouth limits

Liverpool face an inform Aston Villa as the English Premier League champions look to arrest their remarkable collapse on Saturday, while Arsenal aim to surge further clear in the title race.

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The Gunners hold a four-point lead over Bournemouth, who travel to Manchester City, before their trip to Burnley.

Third-placed Tottenham are only five points off the top but are aiming to end a three-game winless run at home when they host London rivals Chelsea.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot badly needs his star names to get back on track after being dumped out the League Cup by Crystal Palace on Wednesday to compound a miserable run for the Premier League champions.

Slot made his priorities clear by making 10 changes as Palace cruised to a 3-0 win at Anfield against a youthful Liverpool selection.

The Dutchman said he could not risk any more injuries to his key players with the visit of Villa quickly followed by clashes against Real Madrid and Manchester City.

"I don’t think it is possible if you lose six out of seven that there is even more pressure," said Slot. "If you are on a run of results like this, if you play for Liverpool, if you manage Liverpool, you know the pressure is there."