Liverpool

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Everton boss Sean Dyche has been speaking to the media before Boxing Day's Premier League game at Manchester City (12:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Ashley Young's neck injury "should settle down quite quickly" but he is suspended for Saturday anyway and Dwight McNeil is still "touch and go" though Dyche thinks "probably not for this one".

• Tim Iroegbunam and James Tarkowski are "still a little bit away" but are "getting back on the grass".

• Dyche believes last week's takeover has already impacted the feel around the club: "There was a good atmosphere before the game against Chelsea around the stadium. When things are uncertain people don't like that. The Friedkin Group have bought some stability. That is a start point."

• He clarified his comments on Profit and Sustainability Rules in relation to the January transfer window: "What I mean is there is still guidelines. It doesn't mean there is any trouble there. There are rules every club have to stay inside of. It is not specific, there is no trouble or anything like that. There just will not be endless money for every situation. There is no problem."

• Discussing whether additions are expected, Dyche said: "It is still going to be tough. The guidelines and what the club are suggesting - we will still have to be quite guarded. We can't throw money but I don't think this group will do that anyway. They want to build something. Their words are stability."

• On opponents Manchester City and their recent difficult run: "When the details are not right, things don't work even for the top teams. It's unlikely Pep [Guardiola] has had many spells like this and it happens even to the best and he is the best ever. For him to have a testing period shows how tough the game is and for the top sides to stay at the very top."

Ian Kennedy
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

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Although draws do not propel you up the table very far, the points gained against Arsenal and Chelsea - both with clean sheets - can be viewed as excellent results.

If Everton can get something at Manchester City on 26 December, they will have navigated a particularly tough run of fixtures admirably. That said, the fixtures after Boxing Day are tough too, but that is the Premier League for you.

Defensively, Everton are sound - five clean sheets in the past six games. Clearly they need goals now, but given the quality of the opposition recently, it has been a good run.

The return of Armando Broja will be a big boost in that regard. He just needs a run in the side now and will add to the Blues' striking threat.

The Boxing Day game is fascinating. Everton will need all of that defensive solidity because, despite recent form, City are still a formidable threat - home or away.

But, with the takeover now in place too, there is a feeling of stability again, which Sean Dyche's side will hope they can feed off in the coming weeks.

Listen to Total Sport Merseyside from 18:00 on weeknights and find details here of live Everton match commentaries on BBC Radio Merseyside

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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk says the team have ambitions but they are not looking too far ahead because they still face competition from a number of teams.

The Reds go into 2025 competing on four fronts and, most notably, top of the Premier League and Champions League tables.

"We want to be up there in May, but we have seen how difficult it is," Van Dijk told BBC Radio Merseyside. "We focus on what is next ahead of us and that's the only thing.

"I'm not getting dragged into talking about winning one, two, three or four trophies. It is all about each and every game ahead of us.

"We have only had one addition to the squad [since last season] and this group of players have been playing together for quite a long time. The experience and quality is there and I see it every day.

"There were question marks after Jurgen [Klopp] was replaced by Arne Slot but I had so much trust in my team.

"We are competing at the top of the Premier League so we have to stay consistent."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

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BBC Chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.

G, the Evertonian asked: Hi Phil, Gary Neville said Trent Alexander-Arnold was one of the bests crossers of a ball in Premier League history. Who would you rate as top? I think Trent Alexander-Arnold is the best with mentions to Beckham, Shearer, Baines and De Bruyne.

Phil answered: Afternoon, G: I think Alan Shearer was more of a beneficiary of crosses than a crosser himself but all the others are very worthy of mention. I'd go with Beckham and Alexander-Arnold with not much between them. In fact I'm thinking De Bruyne as well now!

You mention you are an Evertonian. I don't know if you are old enough to remember Dave Thomas in the late 70s team but he was as good as I have seen – left foot, right foot, on the run, standing start, set pieces. If you are not old enough, ask someone about him.

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Former Everton goalkeeper Asmir Begovic says there are "definitely brighter times ahead" after the takeover of the club by The Friedkin Group was finally confirmed last week.

The takeover has prompted Everton fan groups to look forward with "hope and optimism" after a chaotic nine-year period under British-Iranian businessman Farhad Mosihiri.

"A lot can change in a short space of time in football, and I think the last couple of weeks have been a lot more positive than maybe before," Begovic told BBC World Service's Sportsworld.

"I think the fact that we've picked up a couple of really good results and good performances and then you have the news of the new ownership group coming here and the positivity - I think more than anything it hopefully brings stability.

"I think there's always been a level of uncertainty for everyone involved in the club, not just the players, but the staff, the support staff.

"Definitely brighter times ahead, hopefully, but I know for myself as a player and being involved with the team it's all about making sure we try and keep those performances and results going for now.

"Then, I'm sure everything else will take care of itself."

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Liverpool have a "level of smugness" about them which is "wonderful to watch", says former goalkeeper David James.

The Reds' impressive 6-3 win away to Tottenham on Sunday saw Arne Slot's side move four points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.

It also continued the incredible record of the new Liverpool boss having only lost once since taking charge of the club in the summer.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast, James said: "There is a side to this Liverpool team and Arne Slot and everyone, they don't seem to mind other teams playing well against them at some point during the game, i.e scoring goals and Tottenham scored three goals.

"If you had said to someone you are going to go to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and concede three goals, how do you feel? Well you would say 'we will probably score four, we might even score six'. It's a level of smugness, which I say in the fondest way, that no one else in the league has this year and it's wonderful to watch."

Ex-Tottenham defender Stephen Kelly also praised the Reds for their season so far and added: "I think it is a foot race between Liverpool and Liverpool. I don't think anyone catches them.

"They are just so decisive and so cutting in games in moments when they need to be. If they had some key injuries to key players then that could change things obviously with the run-in left but you just look at them and think 'this team are unstoppable at the moment'.

"I can't see anyone getting to the level to really pose a threat."

Listen back on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Everton and Chelsea.

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Neil: Another good point against a top side. There was nothing too exciting at times but we also had chances to win it. The final third remains a big issue, although there are signs it is improving.

Ron: It's not a result that will live long in the memory, but we have managed to take a point from Arsenal and a point from Chelsea. If 0-0 draws keep us from an end of season relegation scrap, I'm happy with it.

Jeff: Some might say that it is a valuable point against a top team - just like last week against Arsenal - but don't forget we lost three very expensive points to Southampton. Points-wise, I would rather have lost against Arsenal and Chelsea and beaten Southampton. Football-wise, it is getting very boring. The fifth 0-0 of the season. Next time I'm bringing a book to the match.

Ged: Chuffed. Dyche-ball will keep us up. The manager has helped the club weather one of the worst periods in recent history. I don't care about possession stats, he deserves a medal. We need to get through the Manchester City game, who knows what will happen there, and then it's onwards and upwards.

Chelsea fans

Mathew: Good point on the road. Robert Sanchez and Tosin Adarabioyo played really well for us. I also thought Pedro Neto played well and was a threat for us when going forward. It was a shame to see Nicolas Jackson's chance hit the post. Overall, I'm happy with the clean sheet. Now on to our Boxing Day match against Fulham.

Karl: This was the first time where there was some expectancy on us. We coped much better physically than we did last season in this fixture but, overall, we didn't do enough and could have lost it. So, for me, it's a point gained rather than two dropped.

Jeff: I'm very disappointed because of Chelsea's recent winning streak that they didn't win. I was expecting a lot more against this team - but well done, Everton. We could have tasted top spot.

Shaun: We have been getting carried away after a handful of good performances. This is a better reflection of where we are right now.

Cuthbert: The coach should be brave enough to pull Cole Palmer out, and not just Nicolas Jackson, when he is out of form. We have enough depth on the bench to rotate up front and win matches. We will face even more difficult teams, especially the top six, hence options should be there ready to break defences.

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

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Dominik Szoboszlai has turned it around and Liverpool are purring.

Arne Slot's efficient Reds were still winning at the start of the season, but many were worried about our Hungarian number eight. Back in the later summer, he was probably the least in-form starting player.

He lacked creativity and his decision making was off. Luckily, he has always been a physical monster off the ball, so he pretty much kept his place in the side while rotating with Curtis Jones.

But in the past few weeks, Szoboszlai has really stepped up. Against Tottenham on Sunday was arguably his greatest performance for Liverpool.

Slot used him very high up, with Szoboszlai often playing further ahead than Luis Diaz, who was the striker. The attacking midfielder linked up with Mo Salah repeatedly, drove through the centre of the park and provided a killer instinct in the box.

Given he has got Jones and fit again Harvey Elliott breathing down his neck for chances, it was the perfect time for Szoboszlai to step up, especially given Liverpool have been heavily linked to playmaker Rayan Cherki for the January transfer window.

It could not be going any better for Liverpool. The players are on song, fit and capable of beating anybody.

The strength in depth is also underrated. What other side can beat Tottenham away from home, 6-3, with Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Elliott, Jones, Wataru Endo, Caoimhin Kelleher and Jarell Quansah on the bench?

Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop, external

Former Premier League goalkeeper Shay Given spoke to Match of the Day 2 about Mohamed Salah's importance to Liverpool:

"He's unbelievable and that graph [above] speaks volumes in itself. He's a special, talented player.

"The big news around him is if he is going to stay or go. I don't think they can afford to let him go.

Former Premier League striker Glenn Murray agreed with Given, adding: "I'm sure Liverpool fans will be desperate for him to stay. He is the first man to hit double [figures] for assists and goals in the Premier League era before Christmas."

Watch the full episode here

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Tottenham and Liverpool.

Here are some of your comments:

Tottenham fans

Rachael: Our shortcomings and naivety were ruthlessly exploited by a great Liverpool team. I don't think our best XI, had they been available, could have matched Liverpool. If you watched that game as a neutral, you would enjoy that - but not as a Spurs fan.

Steve: Shambles from the coach yet again. Yes, we are missing defenders but we conceded goals galore when they were fit. There is no structure or balance to team and that is down to the coach. Why play a high-line against the fastest front three in the league? Brave? Brainless is the answer. He is on borrowed time.

Andrew: Simply shocking. There are no excuses. Nothing learned, the same spineless performance. Sack manager and start again.

Martin: I don't believe we can keep persisting with this style of football. I want Spurs to play good, attractive football, but not with this suicidal approach to defending and pressing. We don't have the quality or depth of squad to do this. Ange Postecoglou, rethink please.

Mickey: We are further off the top teams than we have been for many years. Ange is great as a 'mate', but we need more than that.

Liverpool fans

Kojo: This was always going to be a high-scoring game, given Spurs' all-attacking, high-pressing game. They might have overpowered Manchester City and other clubs but, against a rampant Liverpool, Tottenham's high line was exposed with swift counter-attacks, defence splitters and balls behind the line. Spurs were lucky not to concede double digits here.

Dax: I don't like saying this, but I would have taken a 2-0 win over a 6-3 win. Yes, Tottenham were there for the taking but our defence should have been more solid. We have been horribly exposed in recent games, shipping three goals at Newcastle, two at Southampton and Fulham. Stronger teams would have hammered us. We are becoming complacent and too confident. Earlier in the season, our defence was almost impenetrable. Conceding 11 goals in five games isn't good enough.

Charlie: Fantastic again. I'm not happy conceding three goals, but they are human after all. We have just got to keep the momentum going. If we can win the game in hand, it bodes well for the title, but we can't afford a blip.

Derek: Great performance from the team. Gomez was outstanding at the back and Salah was just phenomenal up front. Six goals scored, but it could have been 10.

Alfie: Formidable side. They haven't even come out of first gear. It is incredible football to watch. One at a time, bring them all on and smash them all. At least two trophies this campaign, one of those the Premier League title. A brilliant team, well done Liverpool.

Image source, Mirror and i Sport

Arne Slot is making Premier League management "look way too easy", says former West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

Liverpool are top of the Premier League and Champions League tables, with a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals also booked.

"No-one really had a clue what to expect from Slot because of everything that Jurgen Klopp achieved and the impact when he left," said Reo-Coker.

"So no-one thought they would be competing for the Premier League title - maybe a top-four finish, but not a title when there was so much uncertainty about what Slot would bring.

"What he has brought is a great level of professionalism and high level of consistency and performance from every single player. No matter what his starting line-up is, it is always the highest level in the Premier League and Champions League.

"Every player seems tuned in and dialled in, so you have to give full credit to Slot because only a very good manager can do that.

"They are a well-oiled machine."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds