Liverpool handed new Premier League title advantage as Arsenal truth becomes clear

Liverpool saw their lead at the top of the Premier League table extended to five points during the latest round of top-flight fixtures.

Liverpool were the big winners during the latest round of Premier League fixtures as the reigning champions extended their lead at the top of the table. The Reds beat Everton 2-1 on Saturday to maintain a 100 per cent winning start after five matches played.

That win took them six points clear of second-placed Arsenal, who hosted Man City in north London on Sunday afternoon. In the interim, Tottenham Hotspur and AFC Bournemouth drew with Brighton and Newcastle United, respectively, to leapfrog the Gunners and leave the gap at the top of the table at five points.

Arsenal would fall behind to an early strike from Erling Haaland at the Emirates Stadium as they looked all-set to slip to a frustrating defeat for most of the afternoon.

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But an added-time equaliser from Gabriel Martinelli rescued a share of the spoils as Mikel Arteta's men reclaimed second in the table. Yet they still trail Liverpool by five points at this early stage of the season.

Arne Slot's men have not been at their best during the current campaign, requiring late winners to come out on top in each of their first four league matches, and Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid. Such a run included defeating Arsenal 1-0 at Anfield last month owing to Dominik Szoboszlai's stunning free-kick.

Yet they are still finding ways to win and pick up maximum points. In contrast, the Gunners have dropped points twice already this season - even if they did avoid a second loss at the death against Man City.

Meanwhile, Man City are down in ninth in the table, eight points behind Liverpool - having won two and lost two of their opening five games.

The Reds are also four points up on their corresponding fixtures from last season, having won at home to Arsenal and away at Newcastle following draws in both matches last season.

In contrast, Arsenal are four points down, having lost away at Liverpool and drawn at home with City following a draw at Anfield and 5-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium last term.

City are also four points up, despite the mixed start, having lost away at Arsenal and home to Manchester United last season.

For context, the Reds won the title by 10 points over Arsenal last year and finished 13 points clear of third-placed Man City. Both Liverpool and the Gunners lost just four times - while Pep Guardiola's squad suffered nine defeats.

After five matches last season, the Reds were second in the table having won four and lost one of their games.

They were a point behind Man City, after the then-defending champions had rescued a 2-2 draw at home to Arsenal with a 98th minute equaliser from John Stones. The Gunners sat fourth, a further point behind Liverpool.

Man City and Arsenal have faced off in an early six-pointer, once again, yet both have been forced to settle for a solitary point with the home side relying on a stoppage-time equaliser to earn a share of the spoils.

A year ago, those of a Reds persuasion would have felt mixed emotions by the result at the Emirates Stadium as they kept an eye on both their title-rivals and weighed up which result would be the lesser of two evils.

But now, while only early days in the title-race, they find themselves looking over their shoulders as their closest rivals already lose notable ground.

It is a familiar feeling for Liverpool, and one they arguably felt for the majority of last season after making top spot their own from November onwards.

It is early days in the title-race with a lot of football still to be played, with those at Anfield taking nothing for granted as a result. But having celebrated a Merseyside derby victory wildly on Saturday, those of a Reds persuasion will have punched the air, once again, at the sound of the final whistle at the Emirates Stadium.

The Premier League season might only be five games old, but the reigning champions are already in the driving seat.

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