Sky Sports' sports writers analyse Sunday's Premier League action: Liverpool score a stoppage-time winner against Burnley and Erling Haaland causes Ruben Amorim problems in the Manchester derby. Are Arne Sloth's side's late wins a sign of title success or cause for concern?
Haaland shows who's boss
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player.
FREE WATCH: Highlights from Manchester City's win over Manchester United
Four games into his fourth season in English football, Haaland has yet to score more Premier League derby goals than he has, with eight against Manchester United and five in four games this season.
On a day when some looked towards Turf Moor in the hope of seeing Alexander Isak, increasingly being touted as arguably the Premier League's best striker, it was a reminder that he is not even the best Scandinavian striker.
- How it was | Teams | Match statistics
While Isak waited for his Liverpool start, Haaland stole the limelight against United, putting in an impressive performance to take the initiative from his arch rivals in the second half. Haaland scored twice, only for the post to prevent a hat-trick.
His two goals were different but equally impressive. Fresh from netting five against Moldova for Norway, he looks in fine form again, displaying the same firepower that has led City to two titles. Phil Foden's impressive display was a reminder of the quality of the team.
Adam Bate
Liverpool: A sign of championship success or papering over the cracks?
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player.
FREE WATCH: Highlights from Liverpool's Premier League win over Burnley
Four games in and there are many ways to interpret this Liverpool team. Some say their late heroics are the mark of champions. Others say they are simply papering over the cracks after an unconvincing performance.
The same is true for the recently concluded transfer window. The signing of players like Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz looks attractive on paper. But does the revolutionary change in the positions of full-back, left wing and striker also mean a major overhaul?
- How it was | Teams | Match statistics
- Live Premier League Table | Watch Premier League Highlights for Free
- Got Sky? Watch Premier League matches live on your phone 📱
- Don't have a Sky subscription? Subscribe to Sky Sports or watch contract-free now 📺
Liverpool have either looked unconvincing in attack or conceded goals in defence this season, but have still won every Premier League game since losing the Community Shield to Crystal Palace on penalties.
Datawrapper. This content is provided by Datawrapper, which may use cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your consent to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to change your settings and enable Datawrapper cookies or allow them to be used just once. You can change your settings at any time in the Privacy Settings section. Sorry, we were unable to verify your consent to use Datawrapper cookies. To view this content, you can use the button below to allow Datawrapper cookies for this session only. Enable cookies Allow cookies once
It's a scary prospect – Liverpool are still winning, despite Arne Slot's words that they will improve from now on. But there are no guarantees.
Firstly, Liverpool's fixture list is getting busier and no less challenging. They have already beaten Newcastle and Arsenal, but they still have Atletico Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City to play before the November international break.
The run also includes trips to Brentford and Crystal Palace, as well as a Merseyside derby against Everton next weekend.
And while Alexander Isak will ultimately bring a wealth of quality to the squad, he starts the season four weeks behind schedule due to a fitness issue. It may take time to appreciate the full value of the £125m striker.
The next eight weeks will be crucial for Liverpool's season.
Sam Blitz
Parker is showing signs that the doubters are wrong
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player.
Liverpool won in the dying minutes after a failed penalty shootout by Burnley.
The last time Scott Parker played against Liverpool, his team conceded nine goals and he was sacked three days later.
It is no secret that he will have to convince many doubters that he is worthy of a place in the top management after his previous work in the Premier League.
However, while the sharp appearance remains the same, something else emerges: content.
This is not the Parker who came to the Premier League with no realism. The Burnley Parker has learned what the Fulham and Bournemouth Parkers did not. He has taken all his bruises and turned them into something more like a coherent scheme. Parker now has tactical flexibility.
The pragmatism and defensive cohesion his Burnley team displayed over 94 minutes against Liverpool will be key to their survival. Parker knows that now, and it is unlikely that anyone will see a more organised defence all season. They were exemplary.
This could be just the Premier League job where Parker proves everyone wrong.
Lewis Jones
Amorim's problems are getting worse
Ruben Amorim continues to insist on not deviating from his tactical plans, but this now feels like a tactical decision in itself. He knows he has come too far to expect any credibility if he abandons his idea. He is heading towards his end.
“You have no idea about a lot of things that have happened in these months, but I admit it,” Amorim said at a press conference. “I'm not going to change. When I want to change my philosophy, I will change. If not, I'll have to change the person.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player.
Watch the highlights of Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim's press conference
The problem is that football management is a bit of a confidence trick. Players need to be trusted, but they have little reason to be. Eight wins from 31 games means no Premier League team in his reign has picked up fewer points.
Against Manchester City they were in action until the 53rd minute, but once the game went wrong the weakness became obvious: the midfield was overloaded. Bruno Fernandes was again forced to drop deeper, from where he had difficulty influencing the course of events. Square pegs, round holes.
Benjamin Cesko featured as a lone player on his full Premier League debut, while Patrick Dorgu, the full-back specialist brought in for that specific role on the left, was not effective enough in his passing to threaten City's backline as he could have been.
Datawrapper. This content is provided by Datawrapper, which may use cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your consent to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to change your settings and enable Datawrapper cookies or allow them to be used just once. You can change your settings at any time in the Privacy Settings section. Sorry, we were unable to verify your consent to use Datawrapper cookies. To view this content, you can use the button below to allow Datawrapper cookies for this session only. Enable cookies Allow cookies once
Amorim saw the positives. “I can see that we are improving, but the results don’t show it.” He again cited the Arsenal defeat as proof that his approach was working. But when even defeats are seen as progress, it begs the question of where he is taking them.
United have never started a Premier League season worse than they have now. And yet it no longer seems so shocking. Amorim insists they are suffering more than anyone else. United’s problem is that the evidence for this agonising finale remains thin.
Adam Bate
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player.
FREE WATCH: Highlights from Manchester City's win over Manchester United
Sourse: skysports.com
