Summary

  • Reaction to the weekend's Premier League games as Liverpool beat Man City 2-0 to go 11 points clear in title race

  • Leicester part company with first-team coaches Ben Dawson and Danny Alcock

  • Man Utd to close staff canteen and instead offer employees a free piece of fruit

  • Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca says his side must stop relying on Cole Palmer 'for everything'

  • Rangers sack manager Philippe Clement after defeat by St Mirren

  • Premier League news conferences including Fulham and Brighton

  • Poll: Is Mohamed Salah best player in world right now?

  • Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

  1. Salah head and shoulders above the restpublished at 11:40 Greenwich Mean Time

    Premier League top scorers graphic - Salah leads with 25 with Isak and Haaland on 19 goals.Image source, Opta

    Mohamed Salah's excellent season has seen him top the list for both goals and assists in the 2024-25 Premier League, with 25 and 16 respectively.

    Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland are joint second in terms of goals scored this season - 19 - while Chris Wood's 18 goals for high-flying Nottingham Forest has him fourth.

    Coming to assists, Bukayo Saka, Mikkel Damsgaard and Antonee Robinson share second place with 10 each during this campaign with Tottenham captain Son Heung-min bagging nine.

    The Liverpool forward also leads goal involvements by some distance, as his combined 41 goals and assists from 27 games is 17 more than of Isak (19 goals, five assists) in second place.

  2. 'Liverpool can build a new empire if Salah stays'published at 11:36 Greenwich Mean Time

    Man City 0-2 Liverpool

    Luke Edwards
    Daily Telegraph writer on BBC Football Daily

    Mohamed Salah still has so much more to give at the highest level. He is running the Premier League and he is the best player in the league by some distance. It will be a real shame if it came to an end.

    Salah can still sign a lucrative contract with Liverpool and that move to Saudi Arabia will still be there in 12 or 24 months' time. So I hope he stays.

    There will be a lot of Premier League managers and players who will be hoping he leaves because if he stays, he will make Liverpool favourites for the title again next season.

    We could be seeing the start of a new empire and a return of Liverpool's dominance. But to do that, they will want Salah to stay.

  3. get involved

    Get Involved - Who is best player in the world right now?published at 11:32 Greenwich Mean Time

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Yes, Salah is the best player in the world. Goals and assists from the wing. Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk are the only players that would get in the Real Madrid XI. Lewandowski is 2nd best player. Bellingham 3rd. Vinicius doesn’t make top 10.

    Gareth, Glasgow

  4. 'I've never seen Salah so focused'published at 11:27 Greenwich Mean Time

    Man City 0-2 Liverpool

    Clinton Morrison
    Former Republic of Ireland striker on BBC Football Daily

    I have never seen Mohamed Salah so focused on what he wants to achieve with Liverpool like he is this season.

    His interviews are usually quite jokey but you can see now that he is in the zone. He is thinking he wants to win the Premier League title and that is a great mentality to have.

    If you are a youngster at Liverpool and you have got someone like Salah there, you go and lean on that person all the time because he is brilliant.

  5. Salah's prolific season in numberspublished at 11:23 Greenwich Mean Time

    Stats from Opta

    Graphic on Mohamed Salah's 2024-25 Premier League stats - 25 goals and 16 assists from 27 appearances.Image source, BBC Sport

    Speaking of Mo Salah...

    With 25 goals and 16 assists from just 27 games, his numbers in this season's Premier League are simply ridiculous.

    The Egyptian is almost single-handedly guiding Liverpool closer and closer to their first title under Arne Slot and scored his 30th goal of the season in the 2-0 win at Manchester City on Sunday.

    He has now scored 30 or more goals in five separate seasons for the Reds to share that record with Roger Hunt and Ian Rush.

  6. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:20 Greenwich Mean Time

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    Liverpool's Mohamed Salah with teammate Virgil van DijkImage source, Getty Images

    Salah and Van Dijk leaving at the end of the season after winning the league (and maybe more) would be a fitting end, surely. To be remembered as club legends, it's best to go out on top.

    James

  7. No guarantees on Haaland returnpublished at 11:15 Greenwich Mean Time

    Man City 0-2 Liverpool

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

    One of many frustrations for Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium yesterday was the knowledge star striker Erling Haaland was sat behind him at the back of the home dug-out rather than on the pitch.

    The Norwegian jarred his knee towards the end of City's Premier League victory over Newcastle on 15 February.

    At the time, Guardiola didn't think the issue was too serious - but Haaland was not involved in the Champions League defeat by Real Madrid on Wednesday, missed out yesterday and Guardiola could offer no guarantees for Wednesday's trip to Tottenham.

    "I would like to know but I don't," said Guardiola when asked when Haaland would be fit. "Apparently he's not injured because the scans dictate he's fine but he didn't feel fine.

    "I have the feeling it will be soon because he trained yesterday and made some really good movements but he said he was not ready and we have to respect that. Hopefully he can be back for Spurs."

    Erling HaalandImage source, Getty Images
  8. get involved

    Get Involved - Who is best player in the world right now?published at 11:10 Greenwich Mean Time

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    Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut CourtoisImage source, Getty Images

    Why does Thibaut Courtois never get a mention for best player in the world? Does the business consistently year in year out, rarely makes mistakes and always delivers in the big games.

    Mary

  9. City 'only have themselves to blame'published at 11:06 Greenwich Mean Time

    Man City 0-2 Liverpool

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

    Even after suffering their eighth defeat of the season yesterday, I would be surprised if Manchester City fail to qualify for next season's Champions League.

    For a start, fifth place is likely to be enough, with England set to get one of the coveted European Performance Slots. City are currently fourth.

    And, while City have been beaten by Arsenal and Liverpool (and Real Madrid) in the last few weeks, they also beat Newcastle and Chelsea and none of the other clubs in contention are performing consistently well.

    Manager Pep Guardiola feels his squad will be motivated for the challenge, even though it is a different task than winning titles, which is what they are used to.

    "If it doesn’t happen, it will be because we weren’t good enough," he said.

    "It won’t be because of a lack of passion. I have no doubts about that.

    "There are four, five, six teams so it will not be easy - but we will try."

  10. get involved

    Get Involved - Who is best player in the world right now?published at 11:00 Greenwich Mean Time

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    You can’t name the best player in the world until you see how a team manages without them. So, it’s very obviously Rodri.

    Derek

    RodriImage source, Getty Images
  11. Guardiola sees 'bright future' for Man Citypublished at 10:55 Greenwich Mean Time

    Man City 0-2 Liverpool

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter at Etihad Stadium

    In the midst of a wet, miserable Manchester day, when his team were put in their place by opponents who are on the verge of taking their crown, Pep Guardiola saw the brightness of a new Manchester City team emerge.

    While City were swept aside by Premier League leaders Liverpool, Guardiola saw enough in his side to be confident for the future.

    The average age of Manchester City's starting XI in this game was 25 years and 68 days - their joint-youngest in a Premier League match under Guardiola.

    "I saw a bright future," he told BBC Sport. "These players are so young.

    "Other than Kevin [de Bruyne] and Nathan [Ake], they are the future of this club in the next years, with others who will come in future windows."

    Guardiola namechecked wide duo Savinho and Jeremy Doku. It is safe to assume England international Phil Foden is also part of that group.

    For others, like De Bruyne, central defender John Stones, midfielder Ilkay Gundogan and England winger Jack Grealish, who remained on the bench throughout, the future is less certain.

    Manchester City winger SavinhoImage source, Getty Images
  12. Man City played well so I have no regrets - Guardiolapublished at 10:50 Greenwich Mean Time

    BBC iPlayer

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says that he has "no regrets" as he praises his side's performance despite their 2-0 loss to Liverpool in the Premier League.

    Available to UK users only.

    Media caption,

    Man City played well so I have no regrets - Guardiola

  13. Postpublished at 10:49 Greenwich Mean Time

    Manchester City

    Let's have some more reaction to Manchester City v Liverpool yesterday, this time from the perspective of the beaten side.

    Look away now, City fans...

  14. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:44 Greenwich Mean Time

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Jamie, Liverpool fan:Re Guy @ 9:15. To suggest that Arteta should be sacked is crazy. He is doing a fantastic job at Arsenal and has turned them into real contenders again. Not every season works out how you hope but that is football, the key is to give yourself a chance. Remember Jurgen Klopp only won one Premier League title with quite a few attempts!

  15. Who will replace Clement at Rangers?published at 10:39 Greenwich Mean Time

    Scottish Football GossipImage source, SNS

    There's plenty of speculation over who might take charge at Rangers after Philippe Clement was sacked.

    Here's some of the top newspaper lines...

    Russell Martin, briefly a defender at Rangers, is a serious contender to replace Clement as manager. (Sun), external

    Former captain Barry Ferguson will be offered the chance to lead Rangers for the rest of the season. (Record), external

    Steven Gerrard was the early favourite to be appointed Rangers manager, with the former Ibrox boss a free agent after leaving Al-Ettifaq. (Sun), external

    Norwich City first-team coach Jack Wilshere is in the running for the Ibrox vacancy. (Scotsman - subscription required), external

    Alex Rae, Neil McCann, Kevin Thomson and current Rangers assistant Issame Charai are also linked with the Ibrox dugout. (Sun), external

  16. Rangers will look to appoint interim bosspublished at 10:35 Greenwich Mean Time

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

    I am told Rangers will look to appoint an interim successor to Philippe Clement before widening their search for a permanent manager.

    The Glasgow giants have a league game at Kilmarnock on Wednesday and then play Motherwell at home next Saturday before the blockbuster Europa League tie with Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce.

    Philippe ClementImage source, Getty Images
  17. Postpublished at 10:33 Greenwich Mean Time

    Rangers

    We'll be back this afternoon with more Premier League news conferences, including Champions-League chasing Bournemouth and several of the clubs battling to avoid relegation.

    For now, we have an update on Rangers' search for a new manager...

  18. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:30 Greenwich Mean Time

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Completely understand Liverpool fans being cautious - but it's over. I expect them to win it by 12-15 points now. As an Arsenal fan, the hope was we beat West Ham and City beat Liverpool! It's not impossible that Liverpool drop points, but Arsenal need to win every game. That is not happening without Saka, Jesus, Martinelli and Havertz.

    John

  19. 'We rely on Palmer for everything'published at 10:25 Greenwich Mean Time

    Chelsea v Southampton (Tue, 20:15 GMT)

    Chelsea

    Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca on whether the recent form of Cole Palmer - no goals in five league games - concerns him: "No. I am always concerned about general performance. I am not concerned about Cole because Cole is a human being and he can have some moments during a season where he struggles a little bit more.

    "The problem with Cole is that we rely on Cole for everything and I said since we started that we need to rely on the team. We need top players like Cole but we are not worried about him at all."

    On what needs to be done to get Palmer's form back: "He needs to continue the way he is working. The other day he had a great chance but overall the performance from him - as I said, every game we expect a goal or assist from him so it is difficult.

    "He is a human being. At this moment his performances probably reflects the team performances that we struggle to score goals so we need to be a little more clinical when we get the chances."

    Cole PalmerImage source, Getty Images
  20. Get Involved - Who is best player in the world right now?published at 10:23 Greenwich Mean Time

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Lamine YamalImage source, Getty Images

    Yamal's numbers for a player of his age are extraordinary, but there's little doubt that Salah is the best player in the world on his current form. And I say that as a City fan. Quite frankly, Liverpool would not be this far ahead without him. Liverpool haven't been spectacular, but he has been the difference.

    Jeff, Manchester.