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LONDON – Liverpool and Chelsea face off in the first heavyweight clash between title contenders of the English Premier League season.

Arsenal will aim to get off the mark when they visit Manchester City today.

The Gunners suffered at the hands of Chelsea last weekend as Romelu Lukaku scored on his second debut in a 2-0 win for the Blues.

The Belgian, who returned to Stamford Bridge this month for a club record £97 million, scored his 114th English Premier League goal at the Emirates, but his first for Chelsea after failing to make an impression in his first spell at the club.

Now 28, Lukaku looks the complete package and the final piece needed to turn Thomas Tuchel’s European champions into Premier League winners.

Chelsea and Liverpool are two of five teams to take maximum points from two games alongside West Ham, Tottenham and Brighton.

But of the pre-season title favourites, they have already opened up a two-point advantage over Manchester United and three-point lead on Manchester City.

Lukaku faces a much tougher test at a full Anfield with Liverpool rejuvenated by the return of fans and talismanic centre-back Virgil van Dijk from injury.

The Dutchman’s presence has seen Jurgen Klopp’s men keep two clean sheets in their opening games against Norwich and Burnley.

But goalkeeper Alisson Becker acknowledged that beating Chelsea would send a far stronger signal to their title rivals that Liverpool are back to their best.

“For what we believe and for what we want to achieve, it’s a good sign because you are playing one of the favourite sides in the title race and if you can beat one of these sides it’s always good for you to give confidence,” said the Brazilian.

“We won the Premier League before and we know that we need to think always about the next challenge that we have in front of us, so this game is important.”

Arsenal sit second bottom without a point or even a goal to show from their first two league games and face a daunting trip to the defending champions if they are to break that drought before a two-week international break.

English Premiership Fixtures (all 4pm unless stated)

Today: Manchester City v Arsenal (1:30pm); Aston Villa v Brentford; Brighton v Everton; Newcastle v Southampton; Norwich v Leicester City; West Ham v Crystal Palace; Liverpool v Chelsea (6:30pm).

Tomorrow: Burnley v Leeds United (3pm); Tottenham v Watford (3pm); Wolves v Manchester United (5:30pm). – AFP