Paul Merson says Man City not beating Burnley by a large margin has handed control back to Arsenal in Premier League title race; watch Arsenal vs Newcastle live on Sky Sports on Saturday from 5pm, kick-off 5.30pm

Highlights from the Premier League match between Burnley and Manchester City

In his latest column, Sky Sports’ Paul Merson says the Premier League title race could come down to goal difference – especially after Manchester City only beat Burnley 1-0.

Pep Guardiola’s side are now top of the Premier League, but are level with Arsenal on points and goal difference after missing several chances at Turf Moor on Wednesday. City have scored 66 goals this season – three more than Arsenal – meaning they are top on goals scored.

Merson believes that City needed a statement performance at Burnley to take control of the title race.

Analysis: How do Arsenal recover from losing to Man City?

Read below for the Magic Man’s thoughts on the top of the table…

‘City won’t score many past Everton’

Arsenal’s performance was good at the Etihad, but they lost a game they couldn’t afford to lose. You don’t need to be playing well and losing football matches. From absolutely nowhere, Manchester City are top of the league. It’s scary.

But Arsenal play twice before City do and could go six points clear again – and they’ve got to make that count. They have to win those two games against Newcastle and Fulham to put the pressure back on City. It’s a must.

The next games in the Premier League title race

Saturday April 25: Arsenal vs Newcastle, live on Sky Sports, kick-off 5.30pm

Saturday May 2: Arsenal vs Fulham, live on Sky Sports, kick-off 5.30pm

Monday May 4: Everton vs Man City, live on Sky Sports, kick-off 8pm

City’s last five games? They don’t look too hard for them. They’ve got Everton and Brentford – two teams fighting for Europe – but two of their other games are absolutely gimmes. They’ve got Crystal Palace at home, who may have one eye on a Conference League final, and Bournemouth.

Also See:

Stream Burnley vs Man City on Sky with NOW

Man City fixtures

And then on the final day they’ve got Aston Villa, I’m pretty sure they will have already secured Champions League football and the priority that week would be the Europa League final (played four days before the final day of the Premier League season). So that’s a nothing game.

FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Manchester City’s match against Arsenal in the Premier League

Arsenal were unlucky at the Etihad. Kai Havertz slipped when he should have scored in the second half. Eberechi Eze had that shot which hit the post and rolled along the line – on another day, at the start of the season when you’re a bit more free, that goes in.

And how unlucky were Arsenal with Gabriel’s header. It could have easily hit Nico O’Reilly’s arm and if it does, it’s a penalty. But unbelievably, it hits his side and then bounces off the post.

But I don’t like people not picking people up. And Gabriel Martinelli didn’t when he failed to track Nico O’Reilly’s run for Manchester City’s winner.



Micah Richards analyses Manchester City’s decisive winner at the Etihad and picks out where Arsenal went wrong

Don’t worry about pressing Marc Guehi. Guehi’s not the problem. He’s standing on the edge of his own box, let him have it there! He switched off, and when you switch off, that’s what happens.

When you’re at a club like Arsenal, you get told to do these things once. Once. You can’t keep getting told.

Yes, O’Reilly still has the whole length of the pitch to run. But Martinelli’s got to nip that in the bud. You’ve got to know that’s the danger.

One of the best players at  Liverpool has just verbally agreed personal terms with  Juventus, and two trusted reporters have revealed what happens next.

It’ll be a monumental summer of change at  Anfield, with club icons Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah both departing. That will prove to be just the tip of the iceberg, with the likes of Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa, to name just three, having serious chances to depart too.

But according to the latest from trusted reporter, Matteo Morreto, Alisson Becker might not stick around on Merseyside either.

“Verbal agreement between Juventus and Alisson,” declared Morreto – who works closely with Fabrizio Romano – on X.

“In the coming weeks, Liverpool’s stance on a possible departure of the Brazilian goalkeeper will become clear.”

Alisson is widely regarded as one of the world’s best goalkeepers and is among the top three stoppers to ever play for Liverpool (Ray Clemence, Bruce Grobbelaar being the others).

The Brazilian, 33, is contracted for the 2026/27 campaign, but how much he’ll play if he does stick around is open to debate given his increasing injury issues.

Alisson spends far more time than most goalkeepers on the treatment table, and it’s a situation that is only going to get worse the older he gets.

And with Giorgi Mamardashvili already in the building as his long-term successor, Liverpool now have a decision to make if and when Juventus pick up the phone and open club-to-club talks.

Want more breaking transfer lines from original sources? Add TEAMtalk as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust.

Alisson to Juventus now hinges on Liverpool

As Morreto stated in the final part of his update, all eyes are now on whether Liverpool choose to stick or twist.

Providing his take on the situation soon after Morreto’s bombshell, transfer guru Romano added: “Juventus want to sign a top goalkeeper this summer and Alisson is seen as dream target.

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“Liverpool extended his contract until 2027 but talks with Alisson and Mamardasvhili’s camp will take place in the next weeks.

“Alisson likes the idea of returning to Italy but respects #LFC and wants to assess his futures

What is Alisson Becker’s contract status with Liverpool?Who else is reportedly leaving Liverpool this summer?What is Juventus’s primary goalkeeping target for the summer?Summarise the article

In what is already being described as one of the most dramatic transfer twists of the window, Liverpool have moved decisively to secure the signature of the Netherlands international, beating fierce competition from Manchester United who had long been linked with the midfielder. The deal marks a huge statement of intent from the Merseyside club as they begin a new era under Slot, showing clear ambition to rebuild and strengthen the squad with elite-level talent capable of dominating both domestically and in Europe.

De Jong, widely regarded as one of the most intelligent and technically gifted midfielders in world football, will be arriving from FC Barcelona after making the decision to take on a fresh challenge in the Premier League. Known for his composure on the ball, vision, and ability to drive forward from deep positions, the Dutchman is expected to play a central role in Liverpool’s midfield transformation, offering creativity, control, and energy in equal measure.

Sources close to the deal suggest that Liverpool’s project under Slot played a major role in convincing De Jong to make the switch, with the manager reportedly outlining a clear vision of how the midfielder would fit into his tactical system. The opportunity to become a key figure in a rebuilding side, combined with the appeal of playing in one of the most competitive leagues in the world, ultimately tipped the balance in Liverpool’s favor.

For Liverpool fans, this signing represents more than just a transfer—it signals the beginning of a new chapter filled with optimism and ambition. After a period of transition, the arrival of a player of De Jong’s caliber is expected to elevate the team’s overall quality and bring a new dimension to their style of play. His ability to control tempo, break lines with his passing, and contribute defensively makes him the perfect modern midfielder for Slot’s system.

Meanwhile, the move will undoubtedly come as a major blow to Manchester United, who had reportedly identified De Jong as a priority target. Losing out at the final stage to a direct rival adds further drama to an already intense transfer rivalry between the two clubs.

As preparations begin for the new season, all eyes will be on Anfield to see how quickly De Jong adapts to his new surroundings and how he integrates into Slot’s plans. Expectations will be high, but so is the excitement, as Liverpool supporters eagerly anticipate the impact of their latest signing.