Are some football managers too stubborn for their own good?

The weekend’s Premier League action saw Liverpool secure a crucial late victory in the title race, while the relegation-threatened bottom-three teams all suffered losses. Here are five key talking points.

Lack of depth hurting toothless Gunners

Uruguayan forward Darwin Nunez came off the bench to deliver two stoppage-time goals for Liverpool in their 2-0 win over Brentford which made it back-to-back matches in which their substitutes scored. Meanwhile, Arsenal squandered a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa as the Reds moved six points clear with a game in hand.

The contrast in attacking depth was especially evident.

The Reds brought on game changers in Nunez and Diogo Jota – who scored the equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest in midweek – while Arsenal, who had no recognised senior strikers on the bench, introduced Raheem Sterling. The Chelsea winger has yet to make an impact during his loan spell, with his last league goal dating back to last season’s final game in May.

If the Gunners want to stay in the title challenge, they will need reinforcements in this transfer window.

Rigid tactics harming Spurs and Red Devils

Thirteenth-placed Manchester United sit just 10 points above the relegation zone while Tottenham Hotspur are two points behind in 15th after both teams lost.

United manager Ruben Amorim has persisted with his 3-4-2-1 system in the 3-1 defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion, despite not having the right profiles to play the kind of football he wants. Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou’s insistence on attacking football also saw them defensively exposed in the 3-2 loss to Everton, leaving them winless in six league games.

There is little to suggest the duo will deviate from their approaches despite the precarious positions both teams are in. Both managers – despite injuries and poor form – remain steadfast in their philosophies, which raises questions about whether their tactical inflexibility is hurting their teams.

If the displays continue to falter, the debate will grow: When does sticking to principles become stubbornness?

Unassuming Cherries rising to the top

It is emblematic of how Bournemouth were the underdogs when the focus was overwhelmingly on Newcastle United’s pursuit of a club-record 10 consecutive wins in all competitions ahead of their match. Few had mentioned that Bournemouth, too, were on a record run of their own.

In the end, the Cherries delivered a commanding 4-1 away victory, extending their club-record unbeaten streak in the top flight to 11 games. They are now in seventh place, just one point behind Newcastle.

The win has also ignited a belief in the players, with Justin Kluivert, who scored his second hat-trick of the season, talking about the hopes of playing in Europe next season. With the spotlight maybe on more established rivals, the quietly impressive Cherries may just spring a surprise by securing a maiden European spot.

Ruud awakening for goal-shy Foxes

The 2-0 defeat by Fulham saw Leicester City slump to a seventh consecutive league defeat and Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Foxes are on a slippery slope back to the Championship for the second time in three seasons.

The alarming stat is that Leicester have scored just two goals in those seven games. This is unfamiliar territory for van Nistelrooy, who was regarded as a top-notch goal poacher during a playing career that saw him win league titles in Spain, England and the Netherlands.

But it is not for the lack of trying however, as the Foxes took 29 shots in their last two matches.

If Leicester are to win games and avoid relegation, van Nistelrooy may need to make his attacking players watch the over 300 goals he netted, or he must bring in a proven goalscorer to relieve the pressure on 38-year-old Jamie Vardy, who has gone six games without finding the net.

Guehi must resist a romantic return

In recent weeks, there has been a wave of noteworthy returns, with David Moyes making a comeback as Everton manager, and West Bromwich Albion reappointing fan favourite Tony Mowbray nearly 16 years after his departure.

As rumours grow of Chelsea’s interest in re-signing Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, the England defender will do well to resist the temptation.

Since his move to Palace for £18m (S$29.9 million) in 2021, the 24-year-old, who came through Chelsea’s youth system, has firmly established himself as one of the league’s top defenders, while earning 22 caps for England.

He has also led the team to three clean sheets in a week, including the latest 2-0 away win over West Ham United, benefiting from the stability at the club, which may not necessarily be available at Stamford Bridge with their ever-changing squad and scattergun transfer approach. Stay put, Guehi, the future looks bright where you are.