Liverpool have 46 points at the half-way stage of their Premier League season, sitting six points ahead of Arsenal in the Premier League table with a game in hand.

But how does that measure up with half-way hauls through the first half of a season since the Premier League was cut to 20 teams in 1995/96? Decently, but they’re no Arsenal 2022/23…

1) Manchester City 17/18: 55 points
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Final position: Champions
Pep Guardiola’s first Premier League title, won with five games to spare, saw City break all kinds of records. Most points (100); most away points (50); most points ahead of second (19); most wins (32); most away wins (16); most goals (106); best goal difference (+79); and most consecutive victories (18).

Is this the best Premier League team ever?

2) Liverpool 19/20: 55 points
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Final position: Champions
Jürgen Klopp’s Reds broke one of City’s records by wrapping up their first title in 30 years with seven games still to go. But it was also the latest coronation – in June 2020 – after Covid turned up and acted the d*ck to spoil Liverpool’s celebrations.

3) Chelsea 05/06: 52 points
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Final position: Champions
The Blues celebrated their centenary by winning their second consecutive title when Jose Mourinho really was ‘a special one’. It was achieved by an eight-point margin over Manchester United, who were also the first side to beat Chelsea on matchday 12.

4) Liverpool 18/19: 51 points
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Final position: Runners-up
Liverpool were better off than Arsenal four years later, and still f***ed it. They didn’t lose until matchday 21 at Manchester City, which proved all-important since despite not losing again all season, they were still pipped at the post by City, with four draws in six games between the end of January and beginning of March also crucial.

5) Arsenal 22/23: 50 points
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Final position: Runners-up
Arsenal reached the halfway mark on 50 points by beating Manchester United 3-2 in a pulsating encounter. But then they picked up just one point from their next three games against Everton, Brentford and most damagingly Manchester City. Seven straight wins would make them favourites again but just three wins in the last nine games of the season completed one of the great bottle jobs.

6) Chelsea 16/17: 49 points
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Final position: Champions
In Antonio Conte’s first season in charge, the Blues equalled the Premier League records for consecutive wins in a season (13); fewest draws (3); fewest home draws (none), and home and away wins against different sides (12). It helped that Diego Costa was largely unplayable.

7) Manchester City 21/22: 47 points
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Final position: Champions
City started quite slowly, losing their opening game to Spurs and then to Palace at the end of October. They didn’t hit the summit until matchday 15, after which they were never unseated, despite Liverpool’s best efforts.

8) Manchester United 06/07: 47 points
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Final position: Champions
United ended what for Sir Alex Ferguson amounted to a title drought by winning their first crown in four seasons, reasserting his authority over Mourinho in the process. The Red Devils eased down the home straight, securing the title with two games to go, winning neither but still finishing with a six-point cushion.

9) Chelsea 04/05: 46 points
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Final position: Champions
Mourinho won his first Premier League title while setting a number of records along the way: most away wins in a season (15); most clean sheets (25); fewest goals conceded away (9); most wins (29); and fewest total goals conceded (15). They still retain the records for most clean sheets and fewest goals conceded.

10) Liverpool 24/25: 46 points
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Final position: We shall see
There has been only one defeat in Arne Slot’s first half-season as a Premier League manager – at home to Nottingham Forest before we realised how good Nottingham Forest were – but four high-scoring draws have given the chasing pack some reason to believe.

Wayne Rooney has been advised to take a position at Manchester City, while he could return to Manchester United in a “very important role”.

The Man Utd legend is out of work as he was sacked by Championship club Plymouth Argyle on New Year’s Eve.

Rooney had spells at Derby County, DC United and a dire stint at Birmingham City before he was appointed by Plymouth ahead of this season.

The 39-year-old had a difficult task at Plymouth as they would have been favourites for relegation with or without Rooney.

Under the former Man Utd and England striker, Plymouth enjoyed a decent start to the season as they were strong at home, but he left the club after a poor run of form left them bottom of the Championship.

READ: Wayne Rooney: Everton return among five potential next moves for Man Utd icon after Plymouth exit

It remains to be seen whether Rooney will return to management, but Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has explained why a move to Man City would be a good idea.

“I do feel sorry for Wayne Rooney. Every role he’s taken has been a really difficult one. It’s difficult to see where he goes next,” Goodman said.

“I understand the decision (Rooney’s departure). Plymouth suffered some terrible away defeats with no quality and, more worryingly, no fight. They scored just three and conceded 35 goals in his 13 away games at Plymouth which is embarrassing, really. Something had to be done and I think Wayne knew that too.

“I get the feeling he’d like to stay involved in football but might need some time out. Perhaps he could go somewhere as a number two? It’s hard to see him getting a manager role at any high level in the immediate future.”

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“I remember him joking about going to Manchester City and learning from Pep Guardiola previously. It sounds funny but it wouldn’t be the worst idea, would it when you look at what Mikel Arteta and Enzo Maresca learned?!

“Obviously, that’s probably a non-starter but Coleen’s been in the jungle so they might want to take some family time. He was an excellent as a pundit in the summer at the Euro’s and I’d imagine people would like to see him do it again.

“My best guess though, is that he’d like to get back in football in a ‘hands-on’ capacity.”

Man Utd legend Teddy Sheringham meanwhile reckons he could take a “very important role” at Man Utd.

“Would Wayne Rooney be a good striking coach? Without a doubt. I think it is a very important role nowadays. There are set-piece coaches, back four coaches, striker coaches and Wayne’s been one of the top players in the country,” Sheringham said.

“Could he help Rasmus Hojlund? Of course. He’s an experienced player that’s played for his country a hundred times and scored goals at the top level. So any advice from him you would have to listen to.”

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on Manchester United star Marcus Rashford before his agent’s meeting with AC Milan.

The 27-year-old has been linked with several European clubs after he made it clear that he wants to leave Man Utd this month.

Rashford’s reputation and value have declined over the past 18 months as he’s been slammed for his poor form, so a loan is most likely this month.

Earlier this week, a report named AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund and Galatasaray as possible destinations, though his agent has travelled to have a meeting with the Serie A giants.

Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio revealed Rashford is a ‘big priority’ for AC Milan, who have ‘proposed a loan with an option to buy’.

READ: Cristiano Ronaldo: Man Utd bottom of next move likelihood ranking including Chelsea, PSG

On Tuesday evening, Di Marzio said: ‘Milan are aiming high and have identified Marcus Rashford as their big target for the winter transfer market.

‘In the last few hours, the Rossoneri club has put forward a concrete proposal for the English talent to its agents, trying to bring him to Milan with a formula that includes an initial loan, accompanied by a right of redemption.’

Romano has since provided another update, saying the Rashford saga is about to ‘enter its important stages’.

He says it’s ‘deal on’ with discussions taking place ‘today’, but it is also noted that Rashford’s relationship with Man Utd is ‘not broken’.

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In his column for GiveMeSport, Romano said: ‘The future of Manchester United star Marcus Rashford is about to enter its important stages.

‘It’s an open race as of now, but yes, movements have finally started with his brother/agent and his camp travelling around Europe to meet with clubs, explore possibilities and consider ideas ahead of the next weeks in order to decide what to do.

‘Let’s clarify first of all that there are still some chances for Rashford to stay and continue at Manchester United. The relationship is complicated, but not completely broken at this stage.

‘Ruben Amorim wants to see more from Marcus, that’s very clear. He’s not been happy with some training sessions in recent weeks and that is the main reason why he’s been left out of the squad several times, apart from at Anfield where he missed the game because he was ill. But the story remains open.

‘Meanwhile, Rashford is considering his options and his camp has started movements. While I’m writing this column, Marcus’ brother is in Italy, ready for face-to-face talks with AC Milan who are among the clubs keen on understanding the conditions of the deal.

‘We’re not at advanced stages or not even in concrete negotiations as of now, but AC Milan are looking for an offensive player to add to their roster and Rashford is high on their list.

‘The England international’s salary is also a key part of the story; Milan are not planning to cover the full salary but could be open to including a buy option clause in negotiations. For sure, talks will take place and we will see if Milan will be able to advance on both the player and club side with Man United.’

Ruben Amorim may not get a chance to execute his plans at Manchester United and he could be forced to work with players he wants out of the club for some time to come.

That’s the warning from Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn, who believes the players Amorim wants to eject from his squad may be hard to move on if they are sitting on lucrative long-term contracts.

The Portuguese tactician has expressed his dismay at some of the performances Man United have put in since he replaced Eric ten Hag in November.

Amorim’s very public criticisms prior to last Sunday’s battling 2-2 draw against Liverpool that his players are “anxious and sometimes afraid” when they take to the field were backed up by his confused response to their dramatically improved level of performance at Anfield.

“I want to see my team play so much better but I think the most important thing here is the mentality. That is the key for everything,” said Amorim after the draw against Premier League leaders Liverpool.

“Today we were a different team, not because of the system, not because of the technical aspects or tactical aspects of the game but because we faced the competition in the way that we’re supposed to face every day, training and match.

“It doesn’t matter the place, the opponent. We need to face every day like that.”

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Amorim’s comments cemented the belief that he is keen to change the make-up of his squad with the addition of new faces, but Winterburn believes that task will not be easy ahead of United’s trip to face Arsenal at Emirates Stadium in Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie.

“Manchester United brought a manager in who they hoped to sort everything out, but it is going to take some time,” Winterburn told Football365 with William Hill.

“They have some quality players, but there has been something lacking there for a long time now and Amorim has found that out very quickly.

“Whether it is a lack of understanding of how to be organised as a team and a lack of application to give 100 per cent effort and working as a team.

“I’ve looked at Man United for the last few seasons and it is clear that something is missing, but they still have players who can hurt you on an individual day.

“United played really well at Liverpool, but Man United supporters will not accept them playing well for one week and then being off-it for the next five matches.

“It’s all very well saying United need to get rid of a load of players, but it’s very difficult to get them out when they are on big contracts and that might be what Amorim needs to do before he can bring in his own players.

“Bringing in new players without your wage bill exploding is a challenge. Players that he thinks he doesn’t want or who are disruptive, how quickly can he get them out of the club.”

United boss Amorim may hope to be active in this month’s transfer window, but Winterburn is not expecting his old club to splash the cash this month despite some injury concerns for manager Mikel Arteta.

A serious hamstring problem has sidelined key attacking player Bukayo Saka, with their defensive injury list also a major concern.

“Losing Martin Odegaard for a long period was a big blow at the start of the season and now Saka is out for a couple of months,” he added.

“Then you look at the defence and I’ve never seen anything like it in terms of the number of players Arsenal have had out.

“Moving Thomas Partey out of midfield and into a right-back role was evidence of the kind of defensive problems Arteta is battling and you don’t get any continuity when you play don’t play with the same defensive partners every week.

“Considering the injuries, Arteta has done a good job as they are right up there with Liverpool and even though they have a game in hand, six points is not a massive gap.

“They are in the mix for trophies again, but I don’t expect Arsenal to do too much. I certainly don’t think they will panic buy. Arsenal have got a bigger picture with Mikel Arteta and he is not the type of manager who will just fill gaps due to the current injury situation.

“The debate is always about the centre-forward role and whether they need to bring someone in, but I wouldn’t expect that to happen in January. That’s always a longer-term plan and it tends to happen in the summer window.”

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