Image source, Reuters

Newcastle striker Callum Wilson will miss the game against his former club, Bournemouth, today as he has had chest surgery and could miss much of the rest of the season.

The England international, 31, sustained a pectoral muscle injury in the 3-2 Premier League win at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

He has scored eight goals in 22 games in all competitions for Newcastle this season, but has been hampered by hamstring and calf problems.

"It is no doubt a big blow for him," said Newcastle manager Eddie Howe.

"It's been a stop-start season for him. We hope he's back before the end of the season."

Image source, Getty Images

While new injuries continue to crop up for Liverpool, the return of Mohamed Salah should help to soften the blow.

The forward has not played for the Reds since the 4-2 win over Newcastle on New Year's Day as international commitment at Afcon and then a hamstring injury have kept him out.

Salah scored twice in that game and will no doubt be champing at the bit to get off the bench and start helping Jurgen Klopp's side out again.

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has made one change from the side which won 2-0 at Wolves as Kristoffer Ajer comes into defence in place of Ethan Pinnock.

Frank Onyeka and Yoane Wissa are both named on the bench having returned to Brentford following the conclusion of Afcon.

In-form Ivan Toney, who has scored three goals in four games, starts in attack for the Bees alongside Neal Maupay.

Brentford XI: Flekken, Collins, Ajer, Mee, Roerslev, Jensen, Norgaard, Janelt, Reguilon, Toney, Maupay

Subs: Strakosha, Wissa, Zanka, Ghoddos, Onyeka, Lewis-Potter, Damsgaard, Baptiste, Yarmoliuk

Image source, BBC Sport

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp makes two changes from the side which beat Burnley 3-1 at Anfield last time out.

Trent Alexander-Arnold misses out through injury and is replaced at right-back by Conor Bradley while Ibrahima Konate is back after a one-match suspension and is preferred to Jarell Quansah at the heart of defence.

Caoimhin Kelleher continues in goal with Alisson Becker reportedly out with a hamstring problem. Reds forward Mohamed Salah is named among the substitutes having returned from the hamstring injury he sustained with Egypt during the Africa Cup of Nations.

Liverpool XI: Kelleher, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Mac Allister, Endo, Jones, Jota, Nunez, Diaz

Subs: Adrian, Gomez, Salah, Gakpo, Elliott, Tsimikas, Gravenberch, McConnell, Quansah

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says Burnley boss Vincent Kompany has a "special aura".

Their two sides meet at Turf Moor on Saturday.

Kompany captained Manchester City while Arteta was assistant to Pep Guardiola from 2016-2019, where they won two Premier League titles, two EFL Cups and an FA Cup together.

The Clarets go into the match without a win in five games and seven points from safety, while Arsenal have the chance to go top of the Premier League if Liverpool fail to beat Brentford in the early kick-off.

"We know each other really well and I have a huge admiration for him," Arteta said. "He has a special aura around and is well articulated, he has great ideas and on top of that he has the courage - his work ethic is phenomenal.

"He has great ideas and a vision of how to play the game.

"What Burnley did last season in the Championship was phenomenal and to do that you need to be exceptional and that is big credit to him.

"They went through a difficult period [earlier this season] and have been unlucky with the results they have had."

Image source, Getty Images

Should Liverpool fail to win today, Arsenal would have the chance to go top when they play Burnley this afternoon.

Anything short of a win for Jurgen Klopp's side would open the door for the Gunners, who boosted their goal difference with a 6-0 hammering of West Ham last weekend.

Mikel Arteta's side have a 100% league record so far in 2024 with four wins from four and a fifth straight victory, combined with defeat for Liverpool, would put them top.

A Liverpool draw would require them to win by two clear goals to go first - and, of course, that stay at the summit would be short-lived if Manchester City beat Chelsea in the teatime kick-off.

Brentford have scored three goals in each of their past two home games against Liverpool, and I can see them giving the Reds more problems this time too.

Arsenal and Manchester City have both had to fight hard to get away wins against the Bees this season, and Jurgen Klopp's side need to do the same to stay on top of the Premier League.

It will not be easy for them, though. I was at Anfield for BBC Radio 5 Live last week to see Liverpool beat Burnley, but they weren't very convincing in that game and I would give Brentford a real chance of taking at least a point here.

Liverpool have been stretched by injuries recently and Trent Alexander-Arnold's latest knee problem is another blow, but Joe Gomez can cover at right-back, plus Conor Bradley is back in training. Mohamed Salah is getting back to full fitness too and might even feature on Saturday.

Salah's return would be a huge boost and will increase Liverpool's firepower, but their attack is very strong even without him and I think that is what will get them over the line here.

I'm going with my heart over my head, really, because I would like to see a close title race and Liverpool need to keep winning to keep City at bay.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says Trent Alexander-Arnold was not forced back from injury too soon, with the defender sidelined for the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea on 25 February.

Alexander-Arnold returned from three weeks out with a knee problem against Burnley last Saturday.

But he aggravated the issue during the 3-1 win and was taken off at half-time.

"As long as I am here, we never forced anybody back and will never do," said Klopp.

"A thing we have to clarify a bit. I was not really aware of it, but I got the news that there was a discussion we might have forced Trent back because of two setbacks.

"Nobody wants that and nobody is doing that, but we work in a high-performance area."

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool's injury woes continue with reports that goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who missed last weekend's win over Burnley with illness, has now sustained a hamstring injury.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to be out for a few weeks after aggravating a knee problem, Dominik Szoboszlai is out with a hamstring problem with Thiago Alcantara missing too.

The better news for Jurgen Klopp is that Mohamed Salah is back in contention after injury, while Conor Bradley could return following compassionate leave and Ibrahima Konate is available after suspension.

Brentford's Frank Onyeka and Yoane Wissa have returned from the Africa Cup of Nations and could feature.

Aaron Hickey has suffered an injury setback and remains sidelined, along with Bryan Mbeumo and Rico Henry.

With Luton and Everton not playing this afternoon, Nottingham Forest have the chance to put a bit more distance between themselves and the bottom three.

Burnley have a tough game against Arsenal but if they were to shock Mikel Arteta's side then they would surely feel there is a glimmer of hope in their bid to avoid the drop...

Image source, BBC Sport

Here is how things look ahead of today's matches.

Liverpool have the chance to open up a five-point gap at the top, albeit it only for a couple of hours.

However, with Arsenal and Manchester City both in action later, a slip up could see them down to third by the end of the day.

Image source, BBC Sport

Here's what we've got in store today then with the top two bookending proceedings...

• Brentford v Liverpool (12:30 GMT)
• Burnley v Arsenal
• Fulham v Aston Villa
• Newcastle v Bournemouth
• Nottingham Forest v West Ham
• Tottenham v Wolves
• Man City v Chelsea (17:30 GMT)

All games kick-off at 15:00 GMT unless otherwise stated.

Image source, Getty Images

Good morning!

The Premier League season continues to rattle along at a relentless pace and we've got a bumper Saturday of action for you today.

Seven games in total with the top five all in action and valuable points to be won in the title race and the battle for the European places.

Every point is vital at the bottom end of the table and Burnley and Nottingham Forest will hope to put a bit of pressure on with their relegation rivals not in action today.

Lots to play for then on what should be a cracking day of football...