Manchester City's Rodri celebrates his injury-time winner against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, January 1, 2022. EPA
Manchester City's Rodri celebrates his injury-time winner against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, January 1, 2022. EPA
Rodri celebrates with his Manchester City teammates after scoring the winner against Arsenal on Saturday. EPA
Rodri celebrates with his Manchester City teammates after scoring the winner against Arsenal on Saturday. EPA
Manchester City's Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne stands amid bottles and debris thrown by spectators after Rodri's winner at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. AFP
Manchester City's Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne stands amid bottles and debris thrown by spectators after Rodri's winner at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. AFP
Manchester City's midfielder Kevin De Bruyne vies with Arsenal's Takehiro Tomiyasu. AFP
Manchester City's midfielder Kevin De Bruyne vies with Arsenal's Takehiro Tomiyasu. AFP
Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal and Ruben Dias of Manchester City collide at the Emirates Stadium. Getty
Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal and Ruben Dias of Manchester City collide at the Emirates Stadium. Getty
Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City scores the equaliser. EPA
Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City scores the equaliser. EPA
Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez celebrates scoring his team's first goal. Reuters
Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez celebrates scoring his team's first goal. Reuters
Arsenal's defender Gabriel receives a red card at the Emirates Stadium. AFP
Arsenal's defender Gabriel receives a red card at the Emirates Stadium. AFP
Arsenal's Bukayo Saka scores his team's opener. Reuters
Arsenal's Bukayo Saka scores his team's opener. Reuters
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola shakes hands with Arsenal assistant manager Albert Stuivenberg. Getty
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola shakes hands with Arsenal assistant manager Albert Stuivenberg. Getty

Sport

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk: The title is Manchester City's to lose

Dutchman admits reigning champions already have one hand on trophy

The National

January 03, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has admitted that the Premier League title is now Manchester City's “to lose".

Reigning champions City currently enjoy a 10-point lead at the top of the table after their 2-1 win at Arsenal the weekend was followed up by second and third-placed Chelsea and Liverpool drawing 2-2.

City needed an injury-time goal from midfielder Rodri to beat the Gunners — who had defender Gabriel Magalhaes sent-off in the second half — and manager Pep Guardiola admitted his team had been second best at the Emirates Stadium.

But that was City's 11th consecutive win and with their two main challengers for the crown drawing a day later, a fourth title in five years looks on the cards.

“It's a big gap, so they have the title maybe to lose at the moment,” said Van Dijk. “We just have to get results, play good football and win games. It sounds pretty easy but it's tough.”

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was absent for the match at Stamford Bridge due to a Covid-19 outbreak, along with Alisson Becker, Roberto Firmino and Joel Matip. And they now have to cope without their top goalscorers, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, for up to a month due as they head out for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

Chelsea's record signing Romelu Lukaku was dropped after an interview with Italian media in which he talked openly of his frustrations in his first season back at the club and how he would like to return to Inter Milan in the future. The Blues will also lose goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to the Afcon, while first choice wing-backs Reece James and Ben Chilwell face months out injured.

And City's relentless consistency offers little hope to their rivals that the gap will be closed easily. They have averaged a total of 95 points in each of Guardiola's three title-winning seasons in England and are on course to hit that mark again.

“We showed our champion mentality, we never give up,” said Rodri after his late strike at the Emirates kept City's winning run going.

“We know how tough it is to win the Premier League and we are not going to drop it. We don't look at the others much and winning 11 games in a row, it shows that we are focused on ourselves.”

Chelsea 2 Liverpool 2: player ratings

CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy - 7 The Senegalese should have done better at the near post for Salah’s goal. He redeemed himself with a brilliant second-half save from the Egyptian. Getty
CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy - 7 The Senegalese should have done better at the near post for Salah’s goal. He redeemed himself with a brilliant second-half save from the Egyptian. Getty
Trevoh Chalobah - 4 The 22-year-old made an awful mistake and presented Mane with the first goal when he elected to head the ball rather than use his left foot. He made a good challenge to deny Salah and was replaced by Jorginho with 20 minutes to go. Reuters
Trevoh Chalobah - 4 The 22-year-old made an awful mistake and presented Mane with the first goal when he elected to head the ball rather than use his left foot. He made a good challenge to deny Salah and was replaced by Jorginho with 20 minutes to go. Reuters
Thiago Silva - 7 The 37-year-old does not have a lot of pace but he used space effectively to cut out the danger. He was untroubled by Jota. EPA
Thiago Silva - 7 The 37-year-old does not have a lot of pace but he used space effectively to cut out the danger. He was untroubled by Jota. EPA
Antonio Rudiger - 5 The German went missing for Salah’s goal but won a robust challenge that led to Pulisic’s equaliser. There were spells when the game passed him by. AFP
Antonio Rudiger - 5 The German went missing for Salah’s goal but won a robust challenge that led to Pulisic’s equaliser. There were spells when the game passed him by. AFP
Cesar Azpilicueta - 7 The Spaniard was smashed in the face by Mane’s elbow immediately after kickoff and given a tough time by the striker afterwards. He stuck at the job. Reuters
Cesar Azpilicueta - 7 The Spaniard was smashed in the face by Mane’s elbow immediately after kickoff and given a tough time by the striker afterwards. He stuck at the job. Reuters
N’Golo Kante - 8 The Frenchman took charge of the midfield. He pressed hard, distributed the ball nicely and provided a great pass for the equaliser. Getty
N’Golo Kante - 8 The Frenchman took charge of the midfield. He pressed hard, distributed the ball nicely and provided a great pass for the equaliser. Getty
Mateo Kovacic - 8 The Croat took a while to get a foothold in the match but grew in stature throughout the first half. His splendid goal sparked Chelsea’s revival and he was excellent in the second period. AP
Mateo Kovacic - 8 The Croat took a while to get a foothold in the match but grew in stature throughout the first half. His splendid goal sparked Chelsea’s revival and he was excellent in the second period. AP
Marcos Alonso - 6 The Spaniard was made to look daft by Salah for the second goal and had his defensive frailties exposed. He was better going forward and his fee kick led to his team’s first goal. Getty
Marcos Alonso - 6 The Spaniard was made to look daft by Salah for the second goal and had his defensive frailties exposed. He was better going forward and his fee kick led to his team’s first goal. Getty
Mason Mount - 5 The 22-year-old was frustrated by his inability to find space. He was not as influential as normal and flirted with disaster with a silly flick of the foot at the prone Tsimikas. EPA
Mason Mount - 5 The 22-year-old was frustrated by his inability to find space. He was not as influential as normal and flirted with disaster with a silly flick of the foot at the prone Tsimikas. EPA
Kai Havertz - 6 The German’s touch was poor but his pressing was effective and created an early chance for Pulisic. He never looked like scoring and was taken off for Hudson-Odoi with 11 minutes to go. Getty
Kai Havertz - 6 The German’s touch was poor but his pressing was effective and created an early chance for Pulisic. He never looked like scoring and was taken off for Hudson-Odoi with 11 minutes to go. Getty
Christian Pulisic - 7 The American should have scored when presented with an early chance but took his goal beautifully. He was moved to wing-back as Chelsea changed their tactics. EPA
Christian Pulisic - 7 The American should have scored when presented with an early chance but took his goal beautifully. He was moved to wing-back as Chelsea changed their tactics. EPA
SUBS: Jorginho - 6 The 30-year-old joined the action with 20 minutes to go for Chalobah. He gave the midfield a more secure look. Reuters
SUBS: Jorginho - 6 The 30-year-old joined the action with 20 minutes to go for Chalobah. He gave the midfield a more secure look. Reuters
Callum Hudson-Odoi - 6 The 21-year-old was brought on for Havertz in the 79th minute. He did not get enough time to use his pace against a tiring defence. Getty
Callum Hudson-Odoi - 6 The 21-year-old was brought on for Havertz in the 79th minute. He did not get enough time to use his pace against a tiring defence. Getty
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Caoimhin Kelleher - 7 The Irishman made two good saves to deny Pulisic. He was assured with the ball at his feet and had no chance with either goal. Getty
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Caoimhin Kelleher - 7 The Irishman made two good saves to deny Pulisic. He was assured with the ball at his feet and had no chance with either goal. Getty
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 5 The 23-year-old was fortunate to get away with a huge early mistake but his distribution was mainly good in the first half. A poor pass contributed to Chelsea’s equaliser. EPA
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 5 The 23-year-old was fortunate to get away with a huge early mistake but his distribution was mainly good in the first half. A poor pass contributed to Chelsea’s equaliser. EPA
Ibrahima Konate - 6 The Frenchman’s positioning was sometimes questionable but he was strong in the tackle and in the air. He battled on even after a knock on the head. EPA
Ibrahima Konate - 6 The Frenchman’s positioning was sometimes questionable but he was strong in the tackle and in the air. He battled on even after a knock on the head. EPA
Virgil Van Dijk - 4 The Dutchman seemed disconnected from Konate. He was troubled by Havertz and jogged back for Pulisic’s goal. A poor performance. EPA
Virgil Van Dijk - 4 The Dutchman seemed disconnected from Konate. He was troubled by Havertz and jogged back for Pulisic’s goal. A poor performance. EPA
Kostas Tsimikas - 7 The Greek gave Mount little latitude and was effective in defence. His attacking production was less impressive but he kept attempting to get forward. Getty
Kostas Tsimikas - 7 The Greek gave Mount little latitude and was effective in defence. His attacking production was less impressive but he kept attempting to get forward. Getty
Fabinho - 4 The Brazilian had a difficult afternoon. He was off the pace and too many of his passes went backwards. Getty
Fabinho - 4 The Brazilian had a difficult afternoon. He was off the pace and too many of his passes went backwards. Getty
James Milner - 4 The 35-year-old made a great challenge in the area to stop Mount but gave away a poor free kick that led to Chelsea’s first goal. He became more ineffective as the game went on and was replaced by Keita in the 69th minute. AFP
James Milner - 4 The 35-year-old made a great challenge in the area to stop Mount but gave away a poor free kick that led to Chelsea’s first goal. He became more ineffective as the game went on and was replaced by Keita in the 69th minute. AFP
Jordan Henderson - 4 The captain toiled away but to little effect. His passing was slipshod and he was left flatfooted by the Chelsea midfield. Reuters
Jordan Henderson - 4 The captain toiled away but to little effect. His passing was slipshod and he was left flatfooted by the Chelsea midfield. Reuters
Mohamed Salah - 7 The Egyptian scored a sublime goal against his former club and was denied another by Mendy’s fine save. He did not allow the defenders to settle. Getty
Mohamed Salah - 7 The Egyptian scored a sublime goal against his former club and was denied another by Mendy’s fine save. He did not allow the defenders to settle. Getty
Diogo Jota - 4 A lacklustre outing for the Portuguese. He was involved in the opening goal but it was one of the few occasions he made an impact. Taken off for Oxlade-Chamberlain in the 69th minute. Getty
Diogo Jota - 4 A lacklustre outing for the Portuguese. He was involved in the opening goal but it was one of the few occasions he made an impact. Taken off for Oxlade-Chamberlain in the 69th minute. Getty
Sadio Mane - 7 The Senegalese got away with a yellow card for an ugly elbow on Azpilicueta after six seconds. To add to Chelsea’s chagrin, he capitalised on Chalobah’s error to score the opener. A sparky, aggressive display from the striker, who was replaced by Jones in the final minute AP
Sadio Mane - 7 The Senegalese got away with a yellow card for an ugly elbow on Azpilicueta after six seconds. To add to Chelsea’s chagrin, he capitalised on Chalobah’s error to score the opener. A sparky, aggressive display from the striker, who was replaced by Jones in the final minute AP
SUBS: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 6 The 28-year-old replaced Jota with 21 minutes to go and brought an injection of energy to the team but produced little threat. PA
SUBS: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 6 The 28-year-old replaced Jota with 21 minutes to go and brought an injection of energy to the team but produced little threat. PA
Naby Keita - 6 The Guinean joined the fray for Milner in the 69th minute. He was busy and matched up well with the Chelsea midfield. AP
Naby Keita - 6 The Guinean joined the fray for Milner in the 69th minute. He was busy and matched up well with the Chelsea midfield. AP
Curtis Jones - 6 The 20-year-old came on in the 90th minute for Mane for his first appearance in two months. It was a welcome return to action. Reuters
Curtis Jones - 6 The 20-year-old came on in the 90th minute for Mane for his first appearance in two months. It was a welcome return to action. Reuters
While you're here
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Abu Dhabi Card

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 1,400m

National selection: AF Mohanak

5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 90,000 1,400m

National selection: Jayide Al Boraq

6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 100,000 1,400m

National selection: Rocket Power

6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh 180,000 1,600m

National selection: Ihtesham

7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 1,600m

National selection: Noof KB

7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 2.200m

National selection: EL Faust

What drives subscription retailing?

Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.

The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.

The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.

The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.

UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.

That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.

Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.

MATCH INFO

Day 2 at the Gabba

Australia 312-1 

Warner 151 not out, Burns 97,  Labuschagne 55 not out

Pakistan 240 

Shafiq 76, Starc 4-52

England's Ashes squad

Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, Jimmy Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes. 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
New schools in Dubai
Updated: January 03, 2022, 1:16 PM