Liverpool

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has been named as the Premier League Manager of the Month for November.

It completes an Anfield double, after Mohamed Salah was named as the Premier League Player of the Month earlier today.

Liverpool currently sit top of the Premier League table and the Champions League.

Tottenham Hotspur

Ange Postecoglou must only have just unpacked his bag from last night's game but he's aready facing the media again.

Unsurprisingly he has been asked about his criticism of Timo Werner. Perhaps surprisingly, he has not backed down.

He said: "It wasn’t criticism. It was assessment

"He’s [Werner] an international, he’s won the Champions League, he’s a senior player. There’s a level of application you need to rise to, to raise the team. He didn’t reach that.

“It’s just an assessment of his performance. On a really challenging night for us — which we knew going into it — he needs to be better.

“We’re in a fight here. I’m not going to go away worrying about people’s bruised egos. We’re here to win things."

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on Callum Wilson: "Really feel for Callum. We see the work, the dedication and professionalism that he's shown. No just in the recovery from this injury, throughout his career really. For me he is an inspirational player and I think when you are in these moments, for him, you have to understand how difficult this season has been for him.

"He's had a couple of setbacks when he's looked so close to training and playing regularly and building resilience that his body needs to perform. He's not cut corners, he's gone through a vigorous process to try and keep himself fit.

"When you see him not get the end result this time, I feel really sad for him but I back him to come back again and have the mental resilience he will need to fight again because we know his qualities and we're desperate to see him play again."

Sebastien Bassong
Former Spurs defender on BBC 5 Live Breakfast

When they brought in Ange Postecoglou, they knew what they are going to get. It's someone that has a real DNA in the way he plays. Some people would say that he is stubborn, but I think he he knows what he is trying to do. He's trying to bring silverware into Tottenham. It's been difficult, he hasn't been lucky with injuries but that's part of the game, you can't really blame injuries, you know that they may happen.

I think they've got to stick together, that's what he does. He shows resilience, he shows that he's in the mix, in the battle with his players and for the club, he shows character. It's not the best time but I hope it's going to get better for them.

Gumbo74: Managers digging out individual players in public is never a good look, regardless. Give them the 'hairdryer' in the dressing room, fine, but leave it there.

Sebastien Bassong
Former Spurs defender on BBC 5 Live Breakfast

I agree with him [Postecoglou on Timo Werner]. I know we are in football and the manager has to protect players, but when you are a senior player and leader, you're experienced, you've got to be held accountable.

And I think Timo Werner would not be unhappy and think that that's unfair, he can take it. He can take the criticism and that should trigger him to get better, because at the end of the day, when you're in a situation, you cannot hide.

You've got to really take responsibility, so for me I totally understand that he [Postecoglou] got vocal about Timo Werner's performance because that performance was really not at the level he should have been. So at some point, take responsibility, be accountable and move on.

Tottenham Hotspur

Just a few days ago, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou - in discussing defender Cristian Romero's critical comments about the club's owners - said he wouldn't "criticise a player publicly".

That was from his news conference before Tottenham's trip to Glasgow and then - just 48 hours later - he did, in fact, publicly criticise Timo Werner's display.

Why the change of heart and approach? Was Werner's performance that bad that it changed Postecoglou's mind?

He's likely to be asked about that in his upcoming news conference at 11:30 GMT.

Liverpool

Image source, Reuters

The best player in the best team, it can be no surprise that Mohamed Salah has been named Premier League Player of the Month for November.

The Egyptian scored or assisted five of Liverpool's seven goals in the month as they won all three matches.

Salah's sixth award is the joint most for a Liverpool player, alongside great Steven Gerrard.

Only Sergio Aguero and Harry Kane have won more in total, with seven apiece.

Image source, Reuters

Bayern Munich's leading scorer Harry Kane has returned to training but the England captain will not make the squad for Saturday's visit to Mainz, coach Vincent Kompany said.

The Bundesliga leaders posted a video on Thursday showing Kane, who suffered a thigh injury during last month's 1-1 draw at Borussia Dortmund, finding the net in training.

"Harry Kane will not return against Mainz, nor will the other injured players. The guys who played against Shakhtar Donetsk are available," Kompany told reporters on Friday.

Kane has scored a remarkable 50 Bundesliga goals in 44 appearances since leaving Tottenham in August 2023.

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on current form: "Every season you have difficult spells within it. When you're not winning consistently and you're not in your best rhythm, it's difficult but you have to find solutions and we're trying to do that.

"This week we have spent a lot of time seeing what tweaks we can make and how we can improve different functions of the team, that never stops."

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on Nick Pope: "He's carried a knee injury this week. Initially we thought it was nothing, but he's seeking some specialist opinion today and we'll see if he's available for tomorrow."

Image source, Reuters

The football just never stops - and soon teams will start trying to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The draw for the qualifying groups takes place today - now, in fact!

A total of 16 Uefa teams will qualify for the expanded 48-team tournament to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

You can watch the draw live on the BBC Sport website - along with live text commentary - and on the iPlayer.

Follow it here.

In case you are just joining us, here is a reminder of today's news conferences in the Premier League, with 13 managers set to speak.

• 09:00: Brighton / Fabian Hurzeler
• 09:15: Liverpool / Arne Slot
• 09:30: Newcastle / Eddie Howe
• 11:30: Tottenham / Ange Postecoglou
• 12:30: Man City / Pep Guardiola
• 13:00: Bournemouth / Andoni Iraola
• 13:15: Wolves / Gary O'Neil
• 13:15: West Ham / Julen Lopetegui
• 13:30: Man Utd / Ruben Amorim
• 13:30: Arsenal / Mikel Arteta
• 13:30: Brentford / Thomas Frank
• 13:30: Crystal Palace / Oliver Glasner
• 14:00: Aston Villa / Unai Emery

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on team news: "Joe Willock, we haven't seen train yet but he's making good progress and Lewis Miley has come through a couple of really good games for his continued return and he's looking really good so I'm pleased with him."

Statisticians Opta, who compile these things. say: "A situation where a player should reasonably be expected to score, usually in a one on one scenario or from very close range when the ball has a clear path to goal and there is low to moderate pressure on the shooter. Penalties are always considered big chances."

Image source, BBC Sport

It's fair to say that Timo Werner has not set the Premier League alight since he joined last January - but what do the numbers say?

Well he has made 25 league appearances for Tottenham, scoring twice and picking up six assists for his club in that time.

The league leaders since 14 January 2024 are Erling Haaland with 26 goals and Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer with 13 assists apiece.

Werner is not missing lots of chances though - he has had nine big chances in that time with an xG of 4.7.

By way of comparison Haaland has had 50 big chances and his xG is 27.5.

Pedro Martinez Losa is leaving his role as Scotland women's head coach after they failed to qualify for Euro 2025.

Martinez Losa spent four and a half years in charge of Scotland.

In a statement, Martinez Losa said: “I am immensely proud of the journey we have undertaken as a group and it has been a privilege to lead the Scotland Women’s National Team. Watching young talent flourish alongside our experienced players has been a highlight of my time here.

“I leave with fond memories and gratitude to my squad, backroom staff, and the passionate supporters, who have been unwavering in their backing. Scotland will always hold a special place in my heart, and I wish the team every success in the future.”

Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler on principles: "It's always nice to have more training sessions, to work with the team to reflect the last game, to improve, to integrate some principles. Hopefully we use it the right way this week.

"One big part is game management, it's what culture you integrate at the club. We talked a lot about the winning culture, how we can lift this, how we can fulfil this winning culture but on top of that it's not only about game management, it's how you improve the game to play consistently 90 minutes, a good game, how you work on details. we have to analyse, we have to find the right solutions, we don't just need training on the pitch, we need discussions with the players. Work pays off."

Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler on team news: "Joel [Veltman] is 50-50 for Sunday. We have to wait the next few days. Jack Hinshelwood is 40-60 and Ferdi [Kadioglu] 20-80. [Milner?] 10-90. It's true what I'm saying, that's the percentage of them playing.

"Solly March is closer, we need to be really patient with him, he's had a full training week with the team."