Liverpool top of the Premier League pile but Blues, City and Arsenal in pursuit

Liverpool are sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League and will remain in their lofty position for at least another 11 days, thanks to the international break.

Jurgen Klopp has the Reds followers whispering the words “title ambitions” after they trounced Watford 6-1 at Anfield last time of asking to go to the summit.

The Merseysiders lead by a point on a total of 26 after eleven games, with Chelsea just a point behind them in second place.

Then comes Manchester City and Arsenal, both on 24 points. And with unbeaten Tottenham in fifth spot and a resurgent Manchester United behind them, the top of the table is lively to say the least, and indeed, the title race looks to be firmly on.

So what’s up next for the leading pack, once the international football has been and gone and the Premier League skirmishes start up once more?

Well, leaders Liverpool head to the south coast to face Southampton at St Mary’s and will go into the clash in confident mood and hoping to maintain the momentum they have gathered so far this campaign.

The outcome will largely come down to which Southampton team turn up on the day, with the only predictability about Claude Puel’s side being that they are, well, unpredictable.

Antonio Conte’s Blues have to wait until the Sunday to get back in to action when they travel to the north east to go head to head with Middlesbrough at the Riverside.

Boro will no doubt take confidence from their previous two outings, both on the road, in which they have taken points from both Arsenal and Manchester City with draws.

Pep Guardiola’s City go to London to play Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park and although they would like to think they can take something from this game, the Eagles are another side who are well capable of upsetting the so-called big boys, under the stewardship of Alan Pardew.

Then there is, arguably, the fixture of the weekend which sees Arsenal go to Old Trafford to lock horns with Manchester United; a match that sees hostilities resumed by old foes Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger. Again, anything can happen — and probably will.

Come the close of play on these fixtures, it could well be all change at the top of the table.