Liverpool vs Manchester United is a fixture that doesn't need much hyping, even if there is a 23-point gap between the sides in the Premier League table heading into this weekend's clash.

But the usual chatter about the referee that comes with the big clashes has already begun, with Manchester United fans unhappy at Michael Oliver being named the official in the middle. Oliver has been at the center of some controversial incidents involving the Old Trafford side including the penalty Matthijs de Ligt conceded against West Ham.

"People at United have also expressed concerns about Oliver’s handling of [Bruno] Fernandes," the Manchester Evening News' Samuel Luckhurst posted on social media. "Will be his first game refereeing United since February last year."

Given Oliver was in charge when Jeremy Doku planted his foot high on Alexis Mac Allister during the game at Anfield last season against Manchester City, though, Liverpool might not be completely happy with Oliver lately either. Chris Cavanagh will be the VAR with Craig Pawson the fourth official.

Liverpool.com says: The idea that a referee hates a certain team is almost never true as much as fans might like to suggest that and David Coote didn't exactly help things when adding to that perception. Oliver has made mistakes — the West Ham penalty that saw Erik ten Hag fired the next day was a bad one and so too was the kick on Mac Allister — but he is among the best referees around.

Given the gulf between Liverpool and Manchester United at the moment, it would be a surprise if the officials have anything to do with the result at Anfield. Arne Slot's men should simply be looking to win against a team that Ruben Amorim admitted recently could not say it was completely clear of relegation just yet.

Adblock test (Why?)

Trent Alexander-Arnold is the subject of intense transfer interest from Real Madrid. And it seems Carlo Ancelotti is playing an active role in the pursuit of the Liverpool star.

With his contract ticking down, Alexander-Arnold has long been linked to Real Madrid, but speculation has found a new gear in recent weeks. That comes amid an apparent transfer offer, with the La Liga side seeking to take him six months prior to the end of his Liverpool contract.

Liverpool is not expected to entertain this proposition, a stance which has been communicated to Real Madrid. But the bid speaks to the extent of the interest, which has been encouraged by former Everton boss Ancelotti.

From a squad planning perspective, it has long made sense for Real Madrid to target Alexander-Arnold for nothing in the summer. Dani Carvajal turns 33 this month, and a free transfer for perhaps the best right-back in the world is exactly the kind of move which has allowed Los Blancos to remain so dominant for such a long time.

But the acceleration of the interest to January speaks volumes about Ancelotti's stance on the player. The Italian is 65, and the assumption might have been that Alexander-Arnold would effectively be a signing for the benefit of his successor.

Yet Ancelotti seemingly wants the Liverpool man now. Sure enough, The Times reports that the veteran boss is "pushing" for the signing.

Naturally, this is impacted by the absence of Carvajal for the remainder of the season. But for a coach renowned for bringing the best out of his existing group, and beloved for his seemingly laid-back approach, this active transfer intervention is significant.

Alexander-Arnold would be a major January boost to Real Madrid, but Liverpool will surely not entertain the prospect. (Image: MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

On paper, at least, the decision to make a January bid presents Liverpool with a dilemma. It's one the club appears to have already answered, but it nonetheless warrants a degree of consideration.

Amid claims that Real Madrid could make a $62m (£50m) bid for Diogo Dalot in its desperation for a right-back, how high might it go to get Ancelotti's true target? A bid for Alexander-Arnold would be unlikely to reach those heights, with just six months left to run on his contract, but Liverpool could still secure a payday substantially higher than expected.

Losing a player like Alexander-Arnold for nothing would be galling at best for FSG, and damning at worst. A sale would arguably at least salvage something from the situation.

But of course, that has to be weighed up against the situation on the pitch, where Liverpool is six points clear of Arsenal in the Premier League with a game in hand. Sabotaging a golden chance at a 20th title for the sake of a fee still a fraction of Alexander-Arnold's true value would be unthinkable.

Even with the able Conor Bradley on hand to deputize, Liverpool is surely right to prioritize stability as Arne Slot looks to complete a dream debut season at the helm. But with Ancelotti pushing, the club's resolve may yet be tested again before the end of the month.

Liverpool.com says: Real Madrid would probably need to at least match the $62m supposedly on the table for Dalot in order to even get Liverpool to consider losing Alexander-Arnold early. He is just too important.

Moreover, the Anfield hierarchy insists it has not given up hope of tying Alexander-Arnold to fresh terms. Selling now would obviously mean writing off the chance of a valuable breakthrough over the coming months.

Liverpool has put itself in an incredible position to do something amazing under Slot. However keen Ancelotti is on doing business in January, it will surely be a non-starter.

Adblock test (Why?)

Declan Rice has sent a clear message to Premier League leaders Liverpool, stating that Arsenal is not backing down from the title chase as 2025 begins.

Arsenal narrowed the gap with a 3-1 comeback win against Brentford on New Year's Day, thanks to goals from Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Merino, and Gabriel Martinelli. The result reduces Liverpool's lead at the top to six points, although Arne Slot's men do still have a game in hand.

The Gunners also play first next weekend and can cut the lead further against Brighton. Liverpool welcomes struggling Manchester United to Anfield on Sunday.

While Liverpool may be favorites to go on and win the title, Rice took to Instagram to assert Arsenal's determination after their New Year's Day triumph. Rice wrote: "Start the year right. Big win. Time to lock in and keep pushing ourselves. COYG."

Speaking after the game, boss Mikel Arteta was coy on his side's title chances, saying: ""We can only win our next match and see what happens. It's not in our hands, but what is in our hands, we need to make sure we do it."

Brentford boss Thomas Frank did open up on the battle at the top though and suggested Arsenal must capitalize when Liverpool does suffer a slump, after a remarkable first half of the campaign.

Frank said: “It’s a long season. I understand why Arne Slot is saying, ‘We haven’t won anything yet’. Liverpool haven’t had a dip yet and that will most likely come, and Arsenal are picking up points when they’re not fully firing. It will go right to the end.”

Arsenal looks set to be Liverpool's closest challenger for the title, although Nottingham Forest continues to enjoy a fantastic season in third. A disappointing festive period has seen Chelsea pick up just one point from three matches to fall 10 points adrift of Liverpool at the top.

Adblock test (Why?)

Real Madrid is considering making another move for Trent Alexander-Arnold this month, according to reports.

The Spanish giant made a shock bid for the Liverpool vice-captain on New Year’s Eve before the January transfer window opened. The Reds though quickly rebuffed the approach, with the club having no interest in selling Alexander-Arnold this month.

The right-back is set to be out of contract at the end of the season, and has been heavily linked with a move to the Bernabeu. Although a pre-contract agreement is a possibility now, Real looks to be going all in on signing Alexander-Arnold this month amid an injury crisis in defense.

According to the Mirror, Real is considering another approach and is willing to pay up to $26m (£20.7m/€25m) to do a deal this month.

Despite recent reports in Spain suggesting Alexander-Arnold has told Liverpool he has decided to make the move to Madrid, sources at the club have indicated that he hasn’t had any such conversation, and that the club is still hopeful he will sign a new contract at Anfield.

The 26-year-old has been offered a new deal by the club, with talks ongoing. Real though is keen to get a new right-back in this month, with first-choice option Dani Carvajal set to be out for the remainder of the season.

Trent Alexander-Arnold appeared to air his frustration at recent speculation over his future during Liverpool's win over West Ham (Image: Getty Images)

The European champions though are wary of upsetting Alexander-Arnold, with their main aim being to sign him either now or in the summer. The defender seemed to air his frustration at recent speculation when he celebrated his goal at West Ham by making a talking gesture with his hand.

Liverpool is obviously keen not to have Alexander-Arnold’s head turned, with the Reds leading the way in the Premier League and in a strong position in the Champions League as well. With Conor Bradley injured at the moment, Arne Slot can ill-afford to see his first-choice right-back leave this month.

Liverpool.com says: It’s pretty obvious what Liverpool needs to do if another offer arrives from Madrid. The Reds simply cannot let one of their key players leave in the middle of a title race, especially one that they’re leading.

It does seem like an effort from Real to unsettle the player, and hopefully that might backfire on them. Considering Alexander-Arnold has said he doesn’t want his future being played out in public, you can’t imagine he’ll be best pleased with becoming the center of attention at the moment.

Adblock test (Why?)

Arsenal has narrowed the gap to Liverpool at the top of the Premier League as the title race looks to be developing into a two-horse race.

The Gunners found themselves sitting nine points behind the Reds ahead of their clash with Brentford on New Year’s Day, with Arne Slot’s side having closed out 2024 in style with a 5-0 win at West Ham.

It looked at one stage like Liverpool would maintain its eight-point advantage at the top of the table after Bryan Mbeumo put the Bees ahead, but Gabriel Jesus equalized midway through the first half before Mikel Merino and Gabriel Jesus struck after the break to secure Mikel Arteta’s side a 3-1 win.

That puts them within six points of Liverpool, although of course the Reds still have a game in hand. Nevertheless, it looks as if the title race could now be between just the two sides.

With Chelsea suffering a shock 2-0 defeat at Ipswich, the Blues have fallen 10 points behind Liverpool, while Manchester City sits 14 points back on the Reds, leaving both of those sides a mountain to climb.

Liverpool fans will therefore be keeping a close eye on Arsenal’s fixtures over the coming months, hoping for a few slip-ups in order to aid their title hopes.

Arsenal's next 5 Premier League fixtures

• 4 January : Brighton (A)
• 15 January: Tottenham (H)
• 18 January: Aston Villa (H)
• 25 January: Wolves (A)
• 1 February: Man City (H)

Arsenal has overcome one tough test in Brentford, although there are plenty more lying in wait now. A trip to Brighton is certainly not to be underestimated, although the Seagulls are without a win in their last seven outings.

Tottenham and Aston Villa will pose a threat, although the Gunners do have home advantage in those two games, while Wolves is certainly a different prospect now after picking up seven points in their last three games under new boss Vitor Pereira. Liverpool might well be hoping Manchester City can rediscover its form in time for its trip to north London next month.

Liverpool's next 5 Premier League fixtures

• 5 January: Manchester United (H)
• 14 January: Nottingham Forest (A)
• 18 January: Brentford (A)
• 25 January: Ipswich (H)
• 1 February: Bournemouth (A)

Liverpool gets 2025 underway by hosting its greatest rival Manchester United on Sunday. Given the mess Ruben Amorim’s team is in, they shouldn’t pose much of a threat to the Reds, although you wouldn’t want to call it just yet.

A trip to Nottingham Forest is quite the daunting prospect this season, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side sitting third, and having the boast of being the only side to have beaten Liverpool this season. Slot will no doubt want some revenge there.

Trips to Brentford and Bournemouth either side of hosting Ipswich will be tricky, although the Reds will be expected to take maximum points. If they can come out of the other side of these next five games with their lead over Arsenal intact, or even having grown, that title might well be getting closer to Anfield.

Adblock test (Why?)

Arsenal used the first day of 2025 to send out a reminder of its title credentials by coming from behind to beat Brentford. The Gunners are now six points adrift of Liverpool at the top, although Arne Slot's men still have a game in hand.

It had been the perfect festive period for Liverpool with three wins out of three, including two impressive results away from home at Tottenham and West Ham. Slot's team has scored 14 goals in those matches to cement their place as clear title favorites.

Manchester City's struggles look to have ended any hope of retaining the title while Chelsea has lost its last two games against Fulham and Ipswich. And as the New Year gets underway, it seems Arsenal is best placed to challenge the Reds.

It won't come as a surprise to the Liverpool boss, who has continued to talk Arsenal up. After all, Manchester City only pipped the Gunners to the title on the final day last season, and they weren't far away a year earlier.

Mikel Arteta knew his team had to be at their best against a Brentford side who had lost just once at home this season. And the Bees threatened to cause another upset when Liverpool-linked Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring.

It could have been two for the home side when David Raya almost fumbled the ball into the back of his net. But seconds later Arsenal was level as Gabriel Jesus headed home after Thomas Partey had been denied.

And Arsenal came racing out of the traps after the interval to pull clear of Brentford. Mark Flekken failed to hold onto a corner, allowing Mikel Merino to tap home from close range before Gabriel Martinelli made it 3-1 soon after.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is primed for a title challenge (Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

It was the perfect result for Arsenal, who remains without key man Bukayo Saka through injury while Kai Havertz missed out through illness. Arteta also opted to give Declan Rice a rest, with the decision ultimately vindicated.

Arsenal has the opportunity to close the gap on Liverpool to two points this weekend when it travels to Brighton on Saturday evening. That comes before Liverpool's visit of struggling Manchester United to Anfield on Sunday.

Arteta had warned ahead of the game that his side would be ready to pounce, should Liverpool drop off in the second half of the season. There is no sign of Slot's men doing that right now but few would expect them to keep this excellent run going from now until May.

The lead at this stage of the season gives Liverpool some breathing space and Arsenal knows it cannot afford too many slip-ups in the run-in. It could go down to the wire but there is no doubt who is in the driving seat right now.

Adblock test (Why?)