Image source, PA Media

Mick: If there had been a suitable available candidate, would Manchester United have replaced Erik ten Hag?

Phil: Hello, Mick. I think if we are framing this question in the summer then the answer would have been “yes”, because it is accepted they spoke to candidates such as Thomas Tuchel, which suggests they were looking for alternatives.

When the question arose recently, we must accept United stuck by their decision, made in the summer, to stick with Ten Hag – and the win over Brentford on Saturday will have calmed some of the nerves around Old Trafford.

Image source, Reuters

Ben: Phil, what do you make of Brighton’s start to the season under Fabian Hurzeler and do you believe Europe is realistic once again? Continuing to get decent results against the 'bigger clubs' but struggle when they should win.

Phil: In a word, Ben, excellent. I’m a big Brighton fan – not as in you will see me down at The Amex waving a blue and white scarf – but of the way they do things and the way they play.

They have so many different facets to their character as well. They can dig deep and turn on all-out attack as they did to come from 2-0 down to beat Spurs then they can go to Newcastle, ride their luck a bit let’s be honest, then come away with a classic gritty 1-0 away win.

And the appointment of Hurzeler already looks a superb decision. It was left-field to go for such a young coach - no matter how promising he was in getting St. Pauli into the Bundesliga - with no Premier League experience, but it looks like Brighton have got it right again.

It’s wide open after Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool, so why can’t Brighton reach Europe again. They deserve to be fifth, only two points behind Aston Villa.

Liverpool

You can read more on this developing story about Virgil van Dijk's contract talks with Liverpool by clicking here.

There is also plenty more Liverpool news, fan views, expert analysis, opinion and stats on our dedicated club page.

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Ollie: What is the latest on Liverpool’s contract situation with “the big three”?

Phil: Hello, Ollie. We are safe to assume you mean Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Well, the good news is that Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has just revealed he has opened talks on a new contract. We must assume the same will be applying to Salah and Alexander-Arnold, if not actually ongoing now then imminently.

It has been easy to understand Liverpool fans’ concerns on this issue. They cannot afford to lose any of these players and as we know January is pre-contract territory for foreign clubs.

Liverpool have been keeping it very quiet but all logic suggests they must want to keep this trio as a matter of urgency.

The Van Dijk news is certainly welcome for Liverpool and their supporters.

Virgil van Dijk turned 33 in July and has been at Liverpool since joining from Southampton in January 2018 for £75m - a world record fee for a defender.

Under previous manager Jurgen Klopp he won the Champions League, Club World Cup, Premier League, FA Cup and the League Cup twice.

The Netherlands defender last signed a contract extension in August 2021, following Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson, with his current deal due to run out in June 2025.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Ian: Should referees always be made to watch replays on the VAR monitor at full speed? Noting the handball given against Matty Cash for Aston Villa against Fulham.

Phil: Mixed feelings on this. I have seen instances where tackles, in particular, have looked much worse when shown in slow motion. My own view is the referee should be allowed to watch at all speeds and hope they can make their own judgement – but totally agree there have been instances when slowing the footage down has either made something look worse or seem a little deceptive.

Liverpool

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool went into the season with captain Virgil van Dijk, England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold and talisman Mohamed Salah all coming to the end of their current contracts next summer.

It was unclear what the future would hold, with Jurgen Klopp leaving and Dutchman Arne Slot replacing the German as manager.

But Van Dijk said that he is "having fun" at the club, after helping to guide them to the top of the Premier League after eight games.

He added: "I feel very good, physically, mentally and I am having fun. What the future brings, I have no idea at the moment, but like I said in my previous answer, discussions are ongoing with the right people and when it's time to make a decision or whatever, I think you guys (the media) will know it as well.

"But now full commitment and focus is on Liverpool and to be successful this season. So we will see."

Liverpool

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk said that "discussions have been started up" over a new deal with the Anfield outfit.

"I can say obviously discussions are ongoing, but I don't know, we will see what happens in the future," he said.

"My full focus is on Liverpool, wanting to win games that are ahead of me and nothing else.

"What the future will bring I have no idea at the moment. I can only tell you that discussions have been started up and we will see."

Liverpool

Some significant news coming in that could further boost Liverpool supporters already buoyed by the storming start to the season they have made under new boss Arne Slot.

According to Virgil van Dijk, the Dutch defender has started contract talks with the club.

His current deal is due to run out at the end of this season.

More to follow.

Arsenal

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino on their Ukrainian opponents Shakhtar Donetsk: "Sitting right here I cannot even think about what they must be feeling or what life is like but we are very empathetic and I wish them all the best for their career, life. Hopefully this situation stops as soon as possible. We can't control that here, we will try to host them in the best manner possible."

Arsenal

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino on their defeat against Bournemouth: "You do not have time to think about the last action you also have new things coming, new challenges. It's really good to have a game now, try to win, try to give our best version in front of our fans. Not erase, we have to get better and learn from the mistakes but to have a new feeling."

Arsenal

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino on what he can bring to the team: "I think we have a pretty complete team, pretty complete coaching staff as well. They have that winning mentality as well. They might not have the experience yet because we have a young team.

"Luckily I have had some experiences where I won, just that experience in the moment of truth in the finals or semi-finals to keep that mentality, calmness and try to do what you're doing on a daily basis - what has made you get to that stage."

Arsenal

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino on trophies: "I've been lucky enough to win a lot of trophies in my career with the national team as well. I know the feeling - something you can't compare with anything else.

"Knowing what this club is about how big the Champions League and winning trophies is.

"Winning the Champions League here would be amazing. There is still a long way to go to achieve that. We have the basics, the players, we have the mentality, that has to be the ultimate goal.

"Hopefully we can start tomorrow by winning, keeping on growing and building up from when the stakes is the final hopefully."

Dan: Phil, how much of a blow do you think Arsenal's loss to Bournemouth will be for them in the title race? 4 points off the top already isn't exactly a good place to be, especially losing Saliba for a few games as well. I'm of the opinion that it's still early days and Manchester City and Liverpool are bound to drop points along the way.

Phil: Hi, Dan. A blow, of course, and we know how tight the margins are in the Premier League title race these days, but we are still very early on in the season and I agree with you, there may just be a little more fluctuation this season.

William Saliba’s suspension for the Liverpool game is a real blow but Arsenal are at Emirates Stadium, still have plenty of quality, and this presents a great chance to bounce right back against a team that is clearly going to be one of their main title rivals.

Arsenal

From one Mikel to another...

We are set to hear from Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino ahead of their Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk tomorrow night.

We'll bring you the best of what he has to say.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Oliver W: Hi Phil. When teams such as Bournemouth beat Arsenal why is there so much focus on what Arsenal did wrong, rather than what Bournemouth did right? I feel teams outside the top six never get enough credit for top performances.

Phil: Hi, OIiver. I sense your frustration but unfortunately it is always a bigger story when one of the big teams takes a heavy fall.

I did think Bournemouth got credit but Arsenal are the headline story. The way of the world I'm afraid.

On this game, I just loved that set piece for Ryan Christie’s goal, a brilliantly worked corner routine involving Lewis Cook and Justin Kluivert. Straight off the training ground and brilliantly executed.

Can you imagine how delighted coach Andoni Iraola and his staff will have been with that?

Image source, Getty Images

What happened?

Fulham were awarded a first half penalty during their 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa at Craven Cottage.

At 1-1, Raul Jimenez's header was blocked by the hand of Villa's Matty Cash.

Not initially given by referee Darren England, after guidance from video assistant referee Paul Tierney, England opted to award a penalty, which was then saved by Emiliano Martinez.

The penalty was given for Cash's hand being in an "unnatural position".

Image source, Getty Images

On Saturday, there were five red cards across the Premier League's seven matches.

Mohammed Kudus (West Ham), Joachim Andersen (Fulham), Ryan Fraser (Southampton), Jaden Philogene (Aston Villa) and William Saliba (Arsenal) were all sent off.

That is the joint-highest number of red cards in a day in Premier League history, alongside 29 August, 2015.

Arsenal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta: "We have to start tomorrow. The desire is there. We are desperate play this kind of match. The atmosphere will be terrific tomorrow night so let's produce that and earn the right to win the game."

Image source, Getty Images