Arne Slot says Arsenal's loss to Newcastle 'feels special' for Liverpool as Reds capitalise on Gunners and Man City defeats to go top of Premier League

Arsenal suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss to Newcastle United at St James’ Park with Swedish striker Alexander Isak ensuring victory for the Magpies with a well-placed header from Anthony Gordon’s precise cross just 12 minutes into the game. Meanwhile, Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions, also faltered unexpectedly, falling to their first league defeat in nearly a year to Bournemouth, opening the door for rivals like Liverpool to challenge more assertively for the title.

Liverpool also survived a scare as they had to mount a comeback against Brighton after falling behind to a Ferdi Kadioglu opener at Anfield. However, Slot's substitutions and a tactical change to an offensive 4-2-4 formation paved the way for Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah to score in quick succession and secure a pivotal win in front of home fans.

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Slot shared his perspective on the significance of Arsenal and City’s defeats, saying: "It feels special because we faced Arsenal last week. They are a tough team with a clear vision for the game, and today we saw the same quality from City. Facing two top teams in quick succession, we had to come from behind in both matches to secure results, which made today particularly rewarding, not just because of the other outcomes.”

Slot’s impact on Liverpool has been historic, with the club achieving a record-breaking start under his guidance. The Reds have won eight of their first ten Premier League games, drawing one and losing just one—a feat unmatched by any former manager.

After reclaiming the top spot in Premier League standings, Liverpool will now shift focus to their upcoming Champions League clash against Bayer Leverkusen. This encounter has an added layer of anticipation, as it brings Xabi Alonso, a former Liverpool midfielder and current Leverkusen manager, back to Anfield.