Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net
Live Blog
FootballPremier League
talkSPORT.com is here to keep you up to date with all the latest Premier League news over the festive period.
Manchester City ended their winless run with an unconvincing victory over Leicester City.
Tottenham were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Wolves before Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the table after thrashing West Ham.
Arsenal don't play until the new year now, but they will be missing their star when they do, as Bukayo Saka is out until March.
"It's 50/50 at this stage - Liverpool want a decision by the end of January."
Crook expressed his sympathy for the situation left for Liverpool's chief executive of football Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes - both of whom were only tasked with the responsibility in 2024.
He added: "Praise for Arne Slot in how he's been able to navigate this."
Credit: GettyCopied
24 minutes agoBy Joe Brophy
Erling Haaland posted a throwback to his Borussia Dortmund days in the 2-0 win against Leicester - and it had nothing to do with his goal.
The Norwegian ended a run of four matches across all competitions without a goal by scoring Man City's second after heading home Savinho’s curling cross from the left.
However, a stunning solo effort saw him almost double the lead inside the first half during a rare display of dribbling.
Haaland has famously been criticised and scrutinised for his lack of involvement in City's build-up since making his move to the Etihad.
He often has the fewest touches of any outfield player during games, living on the last line of a defence and once said: "My job is not to go out on the side and dribble three people and shoot from 25 meters..."
Yet against Leicester, Haaland nearly did just that after receiving the ball with his back-to-goal 30 yards out - skipping away from Boubakary Soumaré before jinking between two defenders only to pull his shot wide of the near post.
One fan wrote: "He got fed up being Peps robot and went back to his Dortmund days", while another agreed, commenting: "This is the haaland from Dortmund.
the talkSPORT presenter said: "Credit to his mentality, he keeps going!"
Copied
Today, 10:56By Joe Brophy
Mohamed Salah has a new Liverpool tradition that Andy Robertson wants in on - unfortunately it's goalscorers only!
The Egyptian has implemented a new social media trend of posing for selfies with teammates who share the scoresheet with him.
Yesterday's emphatic 5-0 win over West Ham duly saw Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Cody Gakpo all pose for a group shot.
Not to feel left out, Salah later attached a picture of himself with Luis Diaz - who was the fifth and final scorer at the London Stadium.
Unfortunately, that has left Robertson - who has yet to score a Premier League goal this term - out in the cold.
The Scot commented on Salah's post: "I'll make a picture one day", alongside two prayer hands emojis.
Copied
Today, 10:18By Joe Brophy
Neal Maupay has sparked outrage by saying he smiles whenever he checks the Everton score - and certainly not the scorer...
The striker, who is on loan at Marseille, netted just once for the Toffees since signing from Brighton in August 2022.
Embarrassingly, if that solitary strike had come this season it would still be enough to put Maupay among the club's top scorers.
As it is, the Frenchman's two Ligue 1 goals are as many as the man third on Everton's current list - Wolves defender Craig Dawson!
In Everton's last nine Premier League games - a quarter of a season - 40 per cent of their goals have been Dawson's own goals.
The 34-year-old Wolves defender put the ball in his own net twice during his side's 4-0 defeat at Goodison Park earlier this month.
That is the only time in which Everton have managed more than two goals in a game this season following their 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Everton have won just 8 league games in 2024 - their fewest in a calendar year since 1997 (also 8).
Iliman Ndiaye, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Beto's COMBINED six Premier League goals are less than what Mohamed Salah has managed for Merseyside rivals Liverpool just in December alone!
Copied
Today, 09:46By Joe Brophy
Pep Guardiola says Manchester City have no chance of winning the Premier League and 'need help' during the January transfer window.
The Spaniard's 500th game in charge of the champions was a happy one as City finally ended their recent rot with a 2-0 win over Leicester.
Their victory - just their second in their last 10 Premier League games - lifts them up to fifth but they remain 14 points behind Liverpool.
"We are far away from winning the Premier League," Guardiola told Match of the Day.
"We accept there's already no chance of that but we have other things to fight for: FA Cup, top four...
Speaking to the media on the back of Liverpool's win last night, boss Slot said: “The way he celebrated his goal should tell you enough.”
However, sections of the club's fanbase have pointed to Alexander-Arnold's close friend Jude Bellingham doing the same celebration while at Borussia Dortmund.
In May 2023, England's Bellingham scored in Dortmund's 6-0 hammering of Wolfsburg before also using a hand to imitate a talking gesture amid rumours of a move to Madrid.
38 days later he was unveiled as a Galáctico...
Credit: GettyCopied
29th Dec 2024, 20:53By Jack Cunningham
Liverpool manager Arne lot has confirmed that Joe Gomez has suffered a potentially bad hamstring injury.
The versatile defender has been filling in at centre-back for Ibrahima Konate, who is out with a knee problem.
However, he was withdrawn during the first half of the Reds' 5-0 thrashing of West Ham.
Jarell Quansah came on and played the rest of the match, and Slot now has an update on Gomez.
Speaking at his post-match press conference, he said: “You saw today an injury of Joe Gomez.
I don’t know how long but he will be out for quite a bit.
“These situations can happen in a season.”
Credit: GettyCopied
29th Dec 2024, 19:34By Jack Cunningham
Another day, more records broken by Mohamed Salah.
With a goal and an assist, he became the first player in Premier League history to record an assist and goal in eight separate games.
This saw him surpass Bruno Fernandes and Harry Kane, among others.
He also became the quickest player in top-flight history to reach 30 goal contributions (18 matches).
This is a man at the top of his game, and he's leading Liverpool to what would be their second Premier League title.
However, a new contract still isn't close.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, he said: "No, we are far away from that.
"I don't want to say anything and put something in the media… I'm now focused on the team, hopefully, we'll win the Premier League."
Copied
29th Dec 2024, 19:12By Jack Cunningham
There goes the final whistle, and it is job well and truly done for Liverpool.
They move eight points clear of Nottingham Forest at the top of the table, and it was an extremely comfortable win for Arne Slot's side, who thrashed West Ham 5-0.
It was 3-0 at half time thanks to goals from Luis Diaz, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo.
In the second half, the Reds added two more as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota wrapped up the victory.
It's hard to see how anyone can stop them being crowned champions.
Copied
29th Dec 2024, 19:00By Jack Cunningham
CAN ANYONE STOP THEM!
Mohamed Salah picks up the ball just inside his half.
He drives at the heart of the West Ham defence, who can't get near him.
Diogo Jota runs into the box and waits for the pass, which arrives.
The Portuguese international opens up his body and curls a lovely shot into the top corner.
This has been a rout!
Credit: GettyCopied
29th Dec 2024, 18:52By Jack Cunningham
Good opportunities at either end!
West Ham substitute Andy Irving picks out Mohammed Kudus in the box with a sublime first-time cross.
The forward flicks a header at goal that smacks the crossbar and rebounds to safety.
Down the other end, Trent Alexander-Arnold lofts a delightful ball through for Mohamed Salah.
He kills it beautifully, but then rifles a wild strike over the bar.
Copied
29th Dec 2024, 18:47By Jack Cunningham
Diogo Jota wins the ball off Aaron Wan-Bissaka and plays a pass into Luis Diaz.
The hosts just about scramble it away as far as Mohamed Salah.
He curls a cross into the box that Alphonse Areola punches away, but Jota plucks it out of the sky with an excellent touch.
He then drives in a strike that is well stopped by the Frenchman in goal.
Copied
29th Dec 2024, 18:36By Jack Cunningham
Yeah, that's the last thing West Ham fans wanted to see as Jarrod Bowen limps off.
The injury came from a pretty robust tackle by Alexis Mac Allister.
The Argentine crunched into Bowen from behind and left the England international unable to carry on.
Crysencio Summerville is on.
Copied
29th Dec 2024, 18:34By Jack Cunningham
Ryan Gravenberch is one booking away from a one-match ban and so is Cody Gakpo, so Arne Slot brings them both off.
Diogo Jota and Wataru Endo are the men to replace the Dutch duo.
Meanwhile, Jarrod Bowen also needs attention, with Crysencio Summerville starting to get ready on the sidelines.
Copied
29th Dec 2024, 18:30By Jack Cunningham
GAME OVER!
Liverpool patiently work the ball around the West Ham final third.
Ryan Gravenberch plays it into Trent Alexander-Arnold.
He takes aim from 25 yards and smashes a shot at goal that hits Max Kilman's head and flies past Alphonse Areola.
The England international runs over to the Liverpool fans and celebrates in front of them.
Credit: GettyCopied
29th Dec 2024, 18:22By Jack Cunningham
We are back underway for the second 45 minutes, and Julen Lopetegui has made two changes.
Jean-Clair Todibo and Niclas Fullkrug are on.
Edson Alvarez and Vladimir Coufal are the men to be withdrawn as the home side switch to a back five.
Copied
29th Dec 2024, 18:12By Jack Cunningham
Well, that was so easy for Liverpool, who are in total command at the London Stadium.
The Reds were denied a couple of times by Alphonse Areola, but once Luis Diaz scored, the floodgates opened.
Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah have added to the scoreline, and the home side have offered nothing, bar Mohammed Kudus hitting the post.
Arne Slot's side are in total command and will be looking to add a couple more to totally wrap up the match.
Salah has officially been given the assist for Gakpo's goal, which means it's the eight time he's scored and assisted this season.
That is a new Premier League record.
Copied
29th Dec 2024, 18:03By Jack Cunningham
YOU CAN'T KEEP HIM QUIET!
Alexis Mac Allister wins the ball back on the edge of the box.
He feeds Curtis Jones, who works it across to Mohamed Salah.
Salah takes a touch and passes an effort into the near post corner.
That is now the 15th consecutive league game in which he has scored or assisted.
Credit: GettyCopied
29th Dec 2024, 17:59By Jack Cunningham
THEY ARE TOO GOOD!
Trent Alexander-Arnold chips a ball down the right.
Mohamed Salah leaves it and moves inside.
Curtis Jones isn't offside, so he collects and finds Salah.
The winger dances through a tackle and pokes a pass to Cody Gakpo, who taps in.
Credit: GettyCopied
29th Dec 2024, 17:56By Jack Cunningham
So close to an excellent equaliser!
Mohammed Kudus has been West Ham's best player so far, and he's just smacked the post.
The Ghanaian drifted in from the right and drilled a low effort that struck the inside of the woodwork and rolled away to safety.
Alisson Becker was nowhere near that!
Copied
29th Dec 2024, 17:54By Jack Cunningham
Blow for the Premier League leaders, with Joe Gomez unable to continue.
He's filled in very well with Ibrahima Konate out, but after just over 30 minutes, he can't continue.
Jarell Quansah is the man to replace him in a like-for-like change.
Credit: GettyCopied
29th Dec 2024, 17:46By Jack Cunningham
IT'S BEEN COMING!
Luis Diaz peels into some space on the edge of the box and receives a pass.
He tries to thread it through for Mohamed Salah.
But two West Ham defenders can only divert the ball back to the Colombian.
He takes a touch and rifles in a low shot that flashes past Alphonse Areola.
The Reds lead in east London.
Credit: GettyCopied
29th Dec 2024, 17:39By Jack Cunningham
Alexis Mac Allister finds Curtis Jones on the half-turn, and he plays a pass into Luis Diaz.
The Colombian runs at his man and gets into the box.
He quickly moves the ball onto his right foot and curls a strike at goal.
It looks destined for the top corner, but there is Alphonse Areola again to tip the strike over the bar.
The corner is then headed over by Diaz.
Copied
29th Dec 2024, 17:32By Jack Cunningham
Alphonse Areola with another big stop!
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is caught out of position, and Liverpool are away down the right with Mohamed Salah driving at Edson Alvarez.
He spots the run of Curtis Jones in the box and feeds him.
It's a lovely pass, and Jones strikes towards the far corner, but there is the Frenchman to make a crucial save.
Given he's filling in for the injured Lukasz Fabianski, he's made a great start to this match.
Copied
29th Dec 2024, 17:23By Jack Cunningham
Opportunities at both ends!
Andy Robertson gifts possession to Jarrod Bowen, and he races away down the left.
He rolls it perfectly across the box for Lucas Paqueta, who slips and sends his effort miles wide.
Down the other end, Cody Gakpo feeds Mohamed Salah in the box with an excellent pass.
The Egyptian thinks he's scored, but Alphonse Areola brilliantly tips it over the bar.
Credit: GettyCopied
Topics
For more news relating to West Ham, visit our sister site WHU Latest Live.
![[Valid RSS]](../valid-rss.png "Validate my RSS feed")