The Premier League is back: Key storylines for Week 6 as huge clubs get litmus tests

The Premier League is back after one of the longest in-season international breaks in ages, and there are huge litmus tests up and down the ticket. There's even a focus test inside of a litmus test as Manchester City returns to the pitch with a huge target on their backs at Liverpool's Anfield, a stadium expected to intimidate opponents on any old day — let alone a huge occasion. MORE — Premier League Fan Fest heads to Denver Two other 'Big Six' sides are hoping to avoid tumbling deeper into the doldrums as Manchester United and Spurs clash in the bottom half. Leeds and Hull City are hoping to show Arsenal and Everton that their strong starts are not coincidences. And Newcastle finish the matchweek with a trip to Coventry City in a match that seems set to tell us plenty about both sides. Yeah, we had to wait a while to see the Premier League again, but the fixture list appears set to make it up to us. All eyes on Man City’s first ‘post-verdict’ match RELATED — Man City vs Liverpool predicted lineups Who: Liverpool vs Manchester City Kickoff: 11:30am ET Sunday TV/Stream: NBC — Watch online via NBC.com The response to the Manchester City legal saga could go in any direction, and it will likely be a loud one from the home crowd at Anfield. But how will the players deal with it all? Pep Guardiola thinks it’s going to be fine . Erling Haaland says City will give their fans a show this season. Anfield is going to be a cauldron. The Reds can see a place in the title race by picking up three wins and real momentum here, and the fans will make sure City feels its frustrations. City have plenty of leadership but this is unprecedented territory and a tough place to make their first post-verdict bows as a team. Depth must help Arsenal right ship RELATED — Arteta signs new contract with Arsenal Who: Arsenal vs Leeds Kickoff: 7:30am ET Saturday TV & Stream: USA — Watch on USA Mikel Arteta's Arsenal has been a machine the past few seasons, and that machine has been sitting on a loss for three weeks thanks to the international break. The machine isn't off-kilter — no one's gone Invincible since Arsene Wenger's Gunners over 20 years ago — but it will do well to cut through slightly choppy waters. Now behind Man City by three points, the Gunners will expect to come out of the break with vigor. But an early kickoff and several injuries are giving off the scent of a possible banana skin. Leeds play hard, fast, and physical — they'll eyeball this as a chance to firm up their place around the top four and their reputation as a mainstay in the top flight. Can desperate Man United, Carrick flex muscle? Who: Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur Kickoff: 12:30pm ET Saturday TV & Stream: NBC — Watch online via NBC.com Roberto De Zerbi's Spurs head to Old Trafford without a win through five matches, still seeking to show anything near their best football for more than an hour at a time. Their slow start is more understandable than that of Michael Carrick's Manchester United, who have turned a welcoming run of early Premier League fixtures into just one win and five points. Bruno Fernandes' fire and vision will join Old Trafford in fueling the team but what if Spurs find early footing? Best of the Rest: Premier League Week 6 storylines Aston Villa vs Brentford ( 10am ET Saturday on USA ) might not have the glitz and glamour of the big names above but gives the Bees a chance to make a loud statement regarding their European goals and the an opportunity build an 8-point advantage over Unai Emery's slow-starting Villa.' Chelsea v AFC Bournemouth ( 10am ET on Saturday on NBCSN and Peacock ) sees two well-regarded new bosses anxious to make stronger impressions on their clubs. Both Xabi Alonso and Marco Rose have had three weeks to eyeball their next foes and the former will be expected to handle the latter t home. Ipswich Town v Fulham ( 10am ET Saturday on Peacock ) will see an impressive group of Tractor Boys look to push their visitors deeper below them on the table. Ipswich are on pace for 45 points in their return to the Premier League while a loss here would confirm that Fulham are closer to a relegation fight than a midtable scrap. Sunderland v Brighton & Hove Albion ( 10am ET Saturday on Peacock ) sees a high-flying Seagulls team who are dealing a lot better with their early season schedule congestion than their Saturday hosts. Sunderland have had a tough run of opening fixtures and Brighton are only extending that spell. Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest ( 9am ET Sunday on USA ) sees Nos. 15 and 13 on the PL table aiming to put a foot into the top-half fight instead of losing balance and tumbling into the early-season bottom three morass. Hull City v Everton ( 9am ET Sunday on NBCSN and Peacock ) could see the Tigers' mauling claws stuck in some toffee. Everton figured to be in the European picture while Hull have stunned the Premier League by taking points in four of their first five games to sit just a point behind the seventh-place Toffees. Jack Grealish statement game? Coventry City v Newcastle United ( 3pm ET Monday on on USA ) is a great chance for Frank Lampard to prove he's got a team who can assert its home ground as a bonafide place to pitch a safety tent for their Premier League hopes. Lampard knows how to assemble a roster and get the boys in line, but Jaissle's tactical acumen threatens to expose Lampard.