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It was not the best of weeks for Liverpool. Losing to Crystal Palace, Galatasaray and then Chelsea — two of those games with last-minute winners for the opposition — one could argue that the international break has come at the right time.
If the Reds were getting results without playing that well at the start of the season, then that has caught up with them. But there are still another 31 matchweeks left in 2025-26 — and Arsenal is only ahead by a point.
Naturally, there are those who have lost patience in the heat of the moment. But the reality of Liverpool's situation is clear: at the equivalent point of the previous campaign, both they and Arsenal were on more points than they are now. There is plenty of time for things to change after the next installment of qualifiers and friendlies offers a chance to reset.
Just a week ago, Paul Merson declared that the title race would be over if Liverpool beat Crystal Palace and Arsenal lost at Newcastle. That would have opened up an eight-point gap, but the opposite happened, and it was cut to just two, allowing for the swapping of places seven days later.
In the bigger picture, however, it is obvious how well Liverpool has done over the last few months. Arne Slot's side is now not leading the Premier League only for the first time since matchday nine of last season (a 36-matchweek streak).
It was joint-top (excluding goal difference) right from matchweek one this season, when it beat Bournemouth. It moved outright into first place after beating Arsenal on matchday three, but has now dropped to second and is still a point ahead of Tottenham.
Last season, Liverpool dropped to second spot on matchday week nine — two games later in the campaign — drawing 2-2 with Arsenal.
It then regained first place from Manchester City (by coming from behind to beat Brighton on the same weekend that Pep Guardiola's men lost at Bournemouth).
From that point on, the gap was only strengthened, ultimately leading to Virgil van Dijk lifting the trophy above his head in May, months after most people accepted that the silverware was only heading in one direction.
Not only has Liverpool been in first place for so long — a spell that has now ended, yes, but with plenty of time for another reverse — but it also established itself at the summit later last year than the amount of time that elapsed to date in this.
If there was enough time to run away with the league after falling behind on matchday nine, there certainly is enough time left to reverse a one-point deficit with two extra matches to go.
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So far, Liverpool has not played particularly well yet for a sustained period. Its new signings are still bedding in. And still, everything is very much still to play for.
The mood music at the Emirates this week has been that the momentum has swung that way. But just as easily, Liverpool could beat Manchester United when the Premier League resumes, and Arsenal could find things tricky against Fulham.
It is a cliche, but in the Premier League, there are no easy games.
It is true that Liverpool needs to get better. However, it is also necessary to add some perspective: Slot's men had a difficult summer for a variety of reasons — and they are very much still positioned broadly where they want to be.
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