Summary

  • Mikel Arteta named Arsenal head coach

  • Spaniard signs three-and-a-half-year deal, will be presented at news conference at 17:00 GMT

  • Latest on Everton's pursuit of Carlo Ancelotti

  • Solskjaer says Man Utd won't sell Pogba in January

  • Alderweireld signs new Tottenham contract

  • Premier League's iconic player of the decade - vote open

  • Get Involved: #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only)

Live Reporting

Emlyn Begley

  1. Ferguson continues as caretaker but Everton close on Ancelotti

    Everton v Arsenal (Sat, 12:30 GMT)

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Everton are closing in on the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti as their new manager - but caretaker boss Duncan Ferguson will remain in charge for Saturday's game.

    Ancelotti, 60, is still to sign what would be a lucrative long-term contract following talks with Everton owner Farhad Moshiri in London this week.

    But it appears the major details are settled after the Italian cut his ties with Napoli following his sacking, and he could be at Goodison Park on Saturday. However, Everton are remaining guarded until they are in a position to make a formal announcement.

  2. Everton set to appoint Ancelotti

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    Andrew Wilson: Ferguson has done very well but his treatment of Kean cannot have helped his cause at all.

  3. Winter break fixtures announces

    We've now got a story live on the Premier League's inaugural winter break, which will see one gameweek spread over two weekends in February, with four matches held on the first weekend and six on the next.

    None of the games will be played at the same time, with none of them kicking off at 15:00 GMT on a Saturday.

    The introduction of a winter break, agreed in June 2018 between the Football Association, the Premier League and EFL, sees each team get one weekend off in February.

  4. Ozil set for Fenerbahce loan?

    One of Mikel Arteta's first jobs as Arsenal manager would be deciding what to do with German midfielder Mesut Ozil.

    According to some reports, that will be sending him out on loan to Turkish side Fenerbahce in January.

  5. Arsenal set to appoint Arteta

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only)

    As an Arsenal season ticket holder, I'm really frustrated by Arteta's appointment. There's no doubt he's a smart guy who will have learnt a lot under Pep but he doesn't explicitly tackle any of the big three issues we've faced for the last 10 years - lack of leadership, poor defensive organisation and awful away form. All we want to see right now as fans is an immediate focus on fixing those issues - and Arteta won't bring that focus.

    James, London

  6. Winter break fixtures

    All kick-off times GMT

    First weekend: Saturday 8 February - Everton v Crystal Palace (12:30), Brighton v Watford (17:30).

    Sunday 9 February - Sheffield United v Bournemouth (14:00), Manchester City v West Ham (16:30).

    Second weekend: Friday 14 February - Wolves v Leicester (20:00).

    Saturday 15 February - Southampton v Burnley (12:30), Norwich v Liverpool (17:30).

    Sunday 16 February - Aston Villa v Tottenham (14:00), Newcastle v Arsenal (16:30).

    Monday 17 February - Chelsea v Manchester United (20:00).

  7. Premier League's winter break

    Now then, Liverpool not playing in the Premier League this weekend gives their title rivals a chance to close the gap. But how will the new winter break affect the title race?

    Half of the 10 games scheduled for 8 February were put back a week to give all 20 sides a weekend off.

    At the start of this month, the Premier League delayed deciding the dates for the fixtures over those two weekends until after the Champions League and Europa League draws on 16 December. And those fixtures have now been announced...

  8. Reds waiting on Van Dijk & Wijnaldum

    Flamengo v Liverpool (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Liverpool

    During his news conference in Qatar, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp refused to confirm whether defender Virgil van Dijk and midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum will be available for Saturday's game.

    He said: "We will see. Virgil was part of training today and Gini has had a session today so we will see how it will look at the end.

    "We have no new injury concerns. It was Wednesday when we played and now it is Friday. We use each hour for recovery so that is what we did."

  9. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only)

    We're still waiting to hear from Arsenal on when their news conference will be. They are obliged to hold one before their game at the weekend but will it be interim coach Freddie Ljungberg continuing to carry out media duties or Mikel Arteta being presented as the Gunners' new boss?

    We still want to hear your thoughts on the potential appointment of Arteta at Arsenal and Carlo Ancelotti at Everton. And following on from that Liverpool news conference earlier, what do you make of the Club World Cup? How big is it? Is Jurgen Klopp right when he says that other fans won't really care whether Liverpool win it or not?

  10. Solskjaer - Pogba not being sold in January

    Watford v Manchester United (Sun, 14:00 GMT)

    Manchester United

    Just up the road from Macclesfield, Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said in his news conference earlier that Paul Pogba "is not being sold in January". He also denied he was meeting Red Bull Salzburg striker Erling Haaland.

    Midfielder Pogba's return from injury has been delayed by illness, and he is unlikely to play at Watford on Sunday.

    Meanwhile, reports on Friday claimed Haaland had flown from Stavanger in Norway to Manchester with his father. But Solskjaer said the 19-year-old was "on a Christmas holiday".

  11. Another Macclesfield fixture in doubt

    Back to the UK now, and there's more news regarding League Two club Macclesfield Town.

    On Thursday the Silkmen were docked six points by the English Football League after pleading guilty to charges over non-payment of wages and failing to fulfil their fixture with Crewe.

    Now Saturday's home game against Plymouth Argyle is in doubt because the club have been served a "zero-capacity notice" at Moss Rose. The club have suspended ticket sales for the fixture after the notice was served by the local Safety Advisory Group.

  12. Managerial merry-go-round

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only)

    If I was Mikel Arteta there is no way I would want my first proper job to be at Arsenal. There is a feel that something is seriously wrong at the club regarding how it's run and the fans attitude towards players and managers is toxic. It has the feel of a poisoned chalice and certainly isn't the sort of project you would associate with an inexperienced manager. Contrast that to Everton who have plans for a new stadium, seem willing to invest in players the manager wants and a loyal and supportive fan base and I can't help but think I'd rather be taking the plunge into management at Goodison instead of the Emirates!

    Joey, Weybridge

  13. Flamengo are a great side - Alisson

    Flamengo v Liverpool (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Liverpool

    Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson also said: "We are expecting a great game against a great side. They have shown this in the season by winning the league and it is difficult to win the Brazilian league. It is a great competition and they play really good football."

  14. Flamengo are not used to losing - Klopp

    Flamengo v Liverpool (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Liverpool

    Jurgen Klopp was also asked by a Brazilian journalist about his opinion on Brazilian football.

    He said: "I was always told by my father that, no matter what happens, Pele is the best player in the world. That is what I think when I think about Brazilian football, I think about Pele.

    "I know what we have to expect. Flamengo will be intense, organised, (coach) Jorge Jesus has changed their fortunes and most of their things. He has brought players in to the defence, he has a settled line-up, a team where everybody knows what they have to do.

    "They have different ways of playing and they have real quality in the centre of the park, they are cheeky on the wings and they can shoot from distance – just like a successful team should be.

    "Flamengo are not used to losing football games and that is what we know. We will see who can make more of this tomorrow night. This is the first time that I have faced a Brazilian team but this is also the first time Flamengo have played a team like Liverpool."

  15. 'They were told to become heroes, we were told to play in the Carabao Cup'

    Flamengo v Liverpool (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Liverpool

    Jurgen Klopp is now speaking, and BBC's Olly Foster just asked the Liverpool manager if he feels he is on the eve of achieving something special.

    He paused before replying: "The situation is different for us as it is for Flamengo. They came here with a clear order to win it and come back home as heroes. We got told to stay at home and play in the Carabao Cup.

    "That is a massive difference. We cannot change that but we are here and my team wants to win the competition, even though we know it is very difficult because the other team is really good.

    "The view in Europe (of the Club World Cup) is different to the rest of the world but we want to change that view. Will it change the view in Europe? Probably not. Liverpool fans want us to win - most of the other fans don't really care. But we saw what it means to Monterrey by how much they invested to win on Wednesday and it will be the same with Flamengo."

  16. We want to make history - Alisson

    Flamengo v Liverpool (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Liverpool

    Alisson added: "It's big for Brazilians but bigger for who is playing. From the outside people don't give the competition value because it's limited, it's just for the winners.

    "We're here because we won the Champions League, Flamengo won the Copa Libertadores and Monterrey won the Concacaf title.

    "We are here and this is big for us, it's important to put our name in the history of the club. It could be the first time ever Liverpool win it and we'll do our best. You can hear from the Flamengo fans how big it is, they're all are and ready, but it's big for us also and we'll try our best to win it."

  17. It's a dream come true - Alisson

    Flamengo v Liverpool (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Liverpool

    Liverpool's Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson said: "I still watch Brazilian football, especially my former club Internacional, and Flamengo are a joy to watch.

    "I'm excited to be playing the Club World Cup, it is a dream come true. I was a young boy at 14 when I watched my club Internacional win the Club World Cup in 2006 as a fan. Now I'm here with this opportunity to win it with Liverpool."

  18. Stepping away from the Premier League for a few moments, we're about to hear from Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and goalkeeper Alisson in Qatar before Saturday's Club World Cup final.

    Here's how the Reds got there...

  19. Alderweireld signs new Spurs deal

    Tottenham Hotspur

    We've now got a story live on Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld signing a new contract with Tottenham until 2023.

  20. Arsenal set to appoint Arteta

    #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only)

    NakkuOne: Arsenal FC need a bit of fortune and hardwork. Arteta should just be focused. Results is what the fans want. Period.