Liverpool's Relegation Course, Surprise Starts Envelope the EPL in 2010

Liverpool fans are shaking in misery and shock at the mention of their club with the likes of Wolverhampton and West Ham at the bottom of the table in the relegation zone.

The Reds have not won a match since Match Day 3 in a 1-0 effort at home against West Brom—a club that currently sits sixth in the tables just two points behind Tottenham.

Despite the engagements and change in ownership over the past couple of weeks, Liverpool lost for the third time in four matches, this time in a 2-0 defeat against Everton at Goodison Park. Even with a lineup featuring top-tier players like Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, the chemistry and form of the squad leave much to desire.

Failing to secure points against less talented and established clubs will only lengthen the club’s stay in the bottom half of the Premiership.

But Liverpool’s ride to 19^th in the tables is just a headliner to the surprises and disappointments so far in the 2010 campaign.

Surprises

Two of last year’s Championship clubs are showing little intimidation by the talent of the Premier League squads. West Brom and Blackpool stand sixth and tenth respectively and have caught the attention of the EPL.

Unlike their promotion buddy Newcastle—currently 16^th—the Baggies and the Tangerines have squeezed out some surprising wins and even more encouraging draws early this season.

Bolton also have surprised some with a seventh place start to the year, despite winning just two of their eight fixtures.  The five draws, including three with Fulham, Aston Villa and Manchester United, have propelled them to a steady opening in 2010.

Disappointments

Liverpool takes the cake as the most disappointing club to start the year.

Torres cannot seem to find his form, and the defense is shaky and underwhelming. To worsen their image, the Reds have not won a game since beating West Brom 1-0 late in August and have secured just two points since then.

The change in ownership may prove to be a long-term fix, but John Henry’s New England Sports Ventures inherits a club with traditionally high standards and very irritated supporters.

Both Fulham and Sunderland have managed a single win in their eight fixtures. With six draws apiece, and the inability to put teams away and keep them off the score sheet, the two middle-table clubs sit 12^th and 13^th respectively.

They Are Who We Thought They Were

Chelsea, for lack of a better term, have not struggled—posting a +21 goal difference (+14 at home with no goals allowed). Carlo Ancelotti’s team is in top form early in the year and is easily the favorite to repeat as Premier League Champions.

But which clubs stand in the way?

Manchester City’s spending spree in the transfer window translates to a second place position in the tables. Despite the flow of cash out of the club, City only have managed 12 goals to date, though Roberto Mancini’s stout defense takes the cake. The many combinations in the back four have allowed just five goals so far in eight matches, second to Chelsea who have given up just two scores.

Following Chelsea and City are the expected. Arsenal have begun to level out after a very impressive start to the season. Manchester United cannot avoid the draw, but are fourth nonetheless. And Tottenham are battling the injury bug, but cannot be disappointed with a fifth place position.

With about a fifth of the Premier League season in the books and the January transfer window inching closer, the rumors will begin to fly (paging Wayne Rooney) as the next chapter in the 2010 Premiership looks to be equally captivating.

Here are some upcoming fixtures to monitor.
Manchester City v. Arsenal—Sunday, Oct. 24
Manchester United v. Tottenham—Saturday, Oct. 30
Blackpool v. West Brom—Monday, Nov. 1
Manchester City v. Manchester United—Wednesday, Nov. 10
Arsenal v. Tottenham—Saturday, Nov. 20