The Premier League returns after 16-day break with three matches on Tuesday: Arsenal v Fulham, Wolves v West Ham & Nottingham Forest v Man Utd
How things stand as the Premier League returns & when's the earliest Liverpool can win the title?
Pep Guardiola says he's been told it could be up to seven weeks before Erling Haaland can return to action after the striker suffered an ankle injury - games he'll miss & games he may return for
Earlier, Arne Slot spoke about Trent Alexander-Arnold's future and admitted he 'hopes' to act differently when Liverpool face Everton
Team news updates: Bradley & Gravenberch | Botman & Gordon | Rutter & Webster | Kluivert | Richards & Mateta | Smallbone | Kayode, Hickey & other Brentford issues | Bailey & Barkley
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Alexander-Arnold staying would be preferable, but otherwise Liverpool could look at Achraf Hakimi as a replacement to provide competition with Conor Bradley for that spot. Same age as TAA, experience in the biggest games, and might fancy a new challenge?
Rob, Brighton
Image source, Getty ImagesBrighton v Aston Villa (Wed, 19:45 BST)
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler on the quick turnaround following penalty shoot-out defeat to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup on Saturday: "It's a great opportunity for a comeback. A setback and a disappointment doesn't feel great, but I always say the feeling of a comeback is always greater, so we have to work for that."
On whether Brighton having the opportunity to go fourth in the with a win surprises him, he responded: "Why should that surprise me? We've always been a club that doesn't want to hide behind our ambitions or be seen as the small club. Although we don't have the financial budget of other teams, you can still play a good season and fight for Europe if you stick together as a team."
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Image source, Getty ImagesBrighton v Aston Villa (Wed, 19:45 BST)
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler on Georginio Rutter and Adam Webster: "Both injuries, I can say, they don't look great. We have to add them to our injury list.
Out for the rest of the season?: "It's possible. Georginio has an ankle injury, Adam a muscle injury."
Brighton v Aston Villa (Wed, 19:45 BST)
We also heard from Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler earlier this morning, and unfortunately for Seagulls fans he brought some bad injury news...
Newcastle v Brentford (Wed, 19:45 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesNewcastle United manager Eddie Howe on Fabian Schar's contract situation: "To my knowledge, He will be signing his new contract imminently, if he has not already."
On plans for the summer transfer window: "That is going on in the background without my involvement at the moment. But that will change in the next few weeks."
On goalkeeper Nick Pope: "Nick has had a difficult season with injuries and like any player coming back from an injury, there is a bit of rustiness. We saw nick in his best form in the last two games - against West Ham and Liverpool.
"There were big moments in those games where we needed him and he responded. I can say that he has trained outstanding since the cup final too. So fingers crossed, he is over his injury problems and can stay fit."
Newcastle v Brentford (Wed, 19:45 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesNewcastle United manager Eddie Howe on injured Jamaal Lascelles, who has not played since March 2024: "I don't know if we will see Jamaal before the end of the season. I don't want to set a target on his return. He has started very light training with the squad and not in competitive drills. But in non-competitive drills, he has looked really good.
"It's small steps for him and we are hoping he can join in and compete in training with the team. Whether he gets there in time for competitive action before the end of the season, we will see.
"Jamaal is a big player. He is very popular. He is still a huge leader in the group and has a big presence. I am delighted he got the chance to lift the cup and he deserves that moment for the length of time he has been here and the service he has done for the club."
Newcastle v Brentford (Wed, 19:45 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesNewcastle United manager Eddie Howe on their targets for the season after their Carabao Cup triumph: "It has been a case of resetting and looking at our goals again in a different way. We need to put what happened against Liverpool to the back of our minds and now really focus on the future.
"We have enjoyed the break. We went to the Carabao Cup final knowing we had time to absorb what happened in that game. Thankfully, it was positive.
"But now we are ready to play again. That's what we do. We are still in the middle of the season. It's been a long break. but we have tried to navigate that as well as we can with all the emotion around the game we had. But we are focussed on the next match.
"We have 10 games and 10 great opportunities to try and turn our Premier League season into a memorable one like the cup final. We are looking forward to it and I am hopeful the lads are boosted and have renewed confidence."
Newcastle v Brentford (Wed, 19:45 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesNewcastle United boss Eddie Howe said that Anthony Gordon is set to return to training "in the next few days" after recovering from an injury sustained during England duty.
"He has a really nasty bruise in his thigh. But he is up and running." Howe said ahead of their game against Brentford.
"He hasn't trained with the group yet and we anticipate to do that in the next few days."
Gordon had missed Newcastle's 1-0 win at West Ham in the Premier League and the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool after seeing a red card in their FA Cup defeat to Brighton on 2 March.
The 24-year-old sustained a hip injury after coming on as a late substitute England's defeat of Albania in Thomas Tuchel's first game in charge on 21 March.
Gordon missed the World Cup qualifiers tie against Latvia after returning to Newcastle for further assessment.
Newcastle v Brentford (Wed, 19:45 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesNewcastle United manager Eddie Howe on the 4-2 defeat to Brentford in the Premier League in December: "It was a very difficult day, that one. It was a catalyst for us in terms of regrouping and changing our season's momentum. We went on a really good winning run after that.
"We had some thorough analysis of that game. We know Brentford are a good team and we played them on our way to the Carabao Cup final as well and that was another tough game.
"Thomas [Frank] has done a really good job there. They are strong in set-pieces. Their away form is really strong now and they are a free-scoring side. So it will be very tough."
Newcastle v Brentford (Wed, 19:45 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesNewcastle United manager Eddie Howe speaking about team news ahead of Brentford game: "[Sven Botman] is not too bad. He had a very minor operation to clean out a floating bone that was in his knee and was causing him some problem.
"The initial diagnosis was six to eight weeks but he has already got through two or three of those. So he is on the road, he is feeling good and fingers crossed, we will see him in May some time."
Newcastle v Brentford (Wed, 19:45 BST)
Speaking of Newcastle, their manager Eddie Howe has also been addressing the media this morning...
Liverpool v Everton (Wed, 20:00 BST)
Liverpool manager Arne Slot was quick to accept that his side deserved to lose the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle, a fact he reiterated in his news conference today.
You know their performance must have been uncharacteristically bad by the way former Reds defender and Sky Sport pundit Jamie Carragher stuck the knife at the final whistle:
"Newcastle didn't just win today, they battered Liverpool," he said.
"They have wiped the floor with them today.
"No matter what happens next with Newcastle, they will always be remembered for this."
Liverpool v Everton (Wed, 20:00 BST)
Arne Slot's Liverpool side may look to be coasting towards the Premier League title.
But their dreams of adding up to three cup trophies to their haul this season was wiped out in a little over a month, following disappointing defeats in the FA Cup, Champions League and Carabao Cup:
9 Feb: Lost 1-0 at Championship side Plymouth in the fourth round of the FA Cup
11 Mar: Beaten 4-1 on penalties by Paris St-Germain at Anfield in the last-16 of the Champions League
16 Mar: Downed 2-1 by Newcastle at Wembley in the EFL Cup final.
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool v Everton (Wed, 20:00 BST)
One of the truly shocking aspects of Liverpool's below-par display in their Carabao Cup final defeat to Newcastle was Mohamed Salah's uncharacteristic performance.
The Egypt forward had just 23 touches on the day - the least by far out of any player that completed 90 minutes.
It was the first time in his Liverpool career that he neither attempted a shot nor created a chance in a match where he played 90+ minutes.
Liverpool v Everton (Wed, 20:00 BST)
Just to return to Liverpool manager Arne Slot's damning verdict of his side's 2-1 defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final: "I was frustrated about the final because I think we deserved to lose that one. And that was for the first time I think we deserved to lose a football game [during his first season as Liverpool manager].
"We were not tough in terms of defending, we were not good with the ball, so there were not many things to like about the final."
On what he said to his players about the EFL Cup final defeat and their loss to Paris St-Germain on their return from the international break: "They didn't forget. Like me they were disappointed about missing out on a first trophy and being out of the Champions League. For the final we were outworked - and that's not what I like."
Everton 2-2 Liverpool (12 Feb)
Liverpool boss Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff were sent off after the final whistle for their reaction to what was a fiery conclusion to the final Merseyside derby ever to be played at Goodison Park.
James Tarkowski's dramatic last-gasp equaliser, to make it 2-2, gave Everton a deserved point in the match, which was played on 12 February.
Liverpool were leading when the game entered its final seconds, before Tarkowski lashed home a leveller that was only awarded after the video assistant referee checked for offside and a foul.
As tempers flared, Abdoulaye Doucoure taunted the Liverpool fans and was confronted by Liverpool substitute Curtis Jones, with players from both sides squaring up before the pair were sent off.
Slot will return from the touchline ban that resulted from his red card for Wednesday's Merseyside derby at Anfield.
You can watch the Football News Show at the top of the page from 10:00 BST.
They'll be looking into the situation with Trent Alexander Arnold with senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel, speaking to fans and hearing from Liverpool boss Arne Slot.
Liverpool v Everton (Wed, 20:00 BST)
Since Trent Alexander-Arnold's senior debut for Liverpool in October 2016, the full-back has helped the club win eight trophies:
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool v Everton (Wed, 20:00 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked Liverpool fans who they think should replace Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back if he leaves Anfield this summer.
Here are some of their comments:
Christian: It's Conor Bradley all the way. The lad has been incredible every time he's played for us. He's already given fans some huge moments - that crunching tackle on Mbappe for one - and he has earned his spot. We only need to buy a good back-up at this point.
Adrian: You need to have two top players in every position. Bradley can definitely be one of those but we do need another - I'd go for Jeremie Frimpong.
Maritn: TinoLivramento is the obvious candidate to bring in to compete with Bradley for the right back berth. He has had premier league experience with Newcastle.
Jamie: Conor Bradley easily has the capability to take over from Trent. I'd much rather us use our money this window on a striker and to replace Salah or Van Dijk if no contract is agreed. But definitely look to sign a young full-back to back up Bradley.
Jamie: If Slot wanted to buy a new starting full-back I'd recommend Joakim Maehle from Wolfsburg. Can play right and left back, scores and assists. He's a fantastic player.
Liverpool v Everton (Wed, 20:00 BST)
Northern Ireland's 21-year-old defender Conor Bradley is in pole position to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, should the England right-back leave for Real Madrid.
He has stepped up since starring for League One side Bolton Wanderers during a season-long loan, helping them to win the EFL Trophy in 2023.
Bradley has since racked up 50 appearances for Liverpool, impressing with his combination of defensive and attacking qualities, with one goal and nine assists.
But Liverpool could well look to bring in reinforcements to compete with Bradley for the right-back berth, should Alexander-Arnold depart.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 21 | 7 | 1 | 69 | 27 | 42 | 70 |
| |
| 30 | 17 | 10 | 3 | 55 | 25 | 30 | 61 |
| |
| 30 | 17 | 6 | 7 | 50 | 35 | 15 | 57 |
| |
| 29 | 14 | 7 | 8 | 53 | 37 | 16 | 49 |
| |
| 29 | 14 | 6 | 9 | 55 | 40 | 15 | 48 |
| |
| 28 | 14 | 5 | 9 | 47 | 38 | 9 | 47 |
| |
| 29 | 12 | 11 | 6 | 48 | 42 | 6 | 47 |
| |
| 30 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 44 | 40 | 4 | 45 |
| |
| 29 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 41 | 45 | -4 | 45 |
| |
| 29 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 48 | 36 | 12 | 44 |
| |
| 29 | 12 | 5 | 12 | 50 | 45 | 5 | 41 |
| |
| 28 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 36 | 33 | 3 | 39 |
| |
| 30 | 10 | 7 | 13 | 37 | 41 | -4 | 37 |
| |
| 29 | 10 | 4 | 15 | 55 | 43 | 12 | 34 |
| |
| 29 | 7 | 13 | 9 | 32 | 36 | -4 | 34 |
| |
| 30 | 9 | 7 | 14 | 33 | 50 | -17 | 34 |
| |
| 30 | 8 | 5 | 17 | 41 | 58 | -17 | 29 |
| |
| 29 | 3 | 8 | 18 | 28 | 62 | -34 | 17 |
| |
| 29 | 4 | 5 | 20 | 25 | 65 | -40 | 17 |
| |
| 29 | 2 | 3 | 24 | 21 | 70 | -49 | 9 |
|
