Liverpool sit top of the Premier League after nine games with Arsenal and Manchester City just a point behind as clubs take a break from action. The international fixtures are taking centre stage before the top-flight English sides return to domestic action. The Gunners are hoping to finally dethrone City as Premier League champions but look like they’ll also need to overcome the Reds to end their 20-year wait for a league title.
Fulham have enjoyed an impressive start to the league campaign and sit on 11 points, one above Tottenham Hotspur while Brentford are a point further back. Spurs entered the international break on the back of a humiliating 3-2 loss at Brighton and Hove Albion as they threw away a two-goal lead on the south coast. West Ham are on eight points after an inconsistent start while Crystal Palace have had the worst start of any London side, as they sit in the bottom three and are without a win so far. But how might the early table look without the impact of VAR? The technology has been a focus of debate and contention since it’s introduction with Wolves even going as far to table a vote over the summer to scrap the system - it did not pass, however.
Following the involvements from VAR this season we have looked at how the table might look without the use of the technology. Factoring in VAR decisions that led to goals being disallowed or awarded by Stockley Park, including via penalties, here’s how the table might look as things stand...
17. 4th: Chelsea - 14 points
Chelsea are also yet to be impacted by a VAR decision this campaign. Although VAR did check a Man City goal on the opening weekend, before agreeing with the on-field call. | Getty Images
18. 3rd: Arsenal - 17 points
VAR overturned a decision for the first time in an Arsenal game last weekend as Kai Havertz's 99th minute goal was given after an incorrect offside. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
19. Manchester City - 17 points
VAR has got involved just once for Man City this season when a penalty was awarded for a foul by Leif Davis on Savinho during their comfortable 4-1 win over Ipswich Town. The penalty was scored by Erling Haaland to draw the hosts level but the overall outcome would have likely resulted in a City win as they went on to score three more goals. | Getty Images
20. 1st: Liverpool - 18 points
VAR chalked off Trent Alexander-Arnold's goal in Liverpool's 3-0 win over Manchester United for an offside by Mo Salah. Didn't impact the result in the end, however. Bournemouth also had an early goal ruled out against the Reds for an offside against Antoine Semenyo but Liverpool went on to claim a 3-0 victory. | Getty Images