All eyes are on Mohamed Salah’s uncertain future at Liverpool as Arne Slot tries to shut out the noise and prepare his men to face Brighton this weekend.
The Egyptian superstar has hinted today’s match at Anfield could be his last for the Premier League champions, taking aim at manager Slot and the club hierarchy in an explosive interview.
Leaders Arsenal host winless Wolves, who have lost their past eight games and are already 13 points from safety.
AFP Sport looks at three talking points ahead of the action:
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Salah in the spotlight
It is difficult to see a way back for Mohamed Salah at Anfield unless he apologises to Arne Slot and the club.
The forward accused Liverpool of throwing him “under the bus” and said he had no relationship with the Dutch manager after he was left on the bench for last week’s 3-3 draw at Leeds — the third match in a row that he did not start.
The 33-year-old did not travel for Tuesday’s Champions League match at Inter Milan, which Liverpool won 1-0, posting a picture of himself alone in a gym on social media.
Salah, who is preparing to join the Egypt squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, has invited his family to the Brighton game.
“I will be in Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go the Africa Cup,” he told reporters. “I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there.”
Arsenal host toothless Wolves
Arsenal’s match against Wolves at the Emirates appears to be a nailed-on home win for the Premier League leaders, who last week suffered their first defeat since August.
Wolves, with just two points from their opening 15 games, are on track for the worst season in Premier League history.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal slipped up against Aston Villa last week and Manchester City took full advantage.
But the Gunners bounced back in the Champions League in midweek, beating Club Brugge 3-0 to make it six wins out of six in Europe.
Arteta’s team have been without both of their first-choice centre-backs, Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, for their past four games in all competitions.
Palace eye Man City repeat
Crystal Palace have reached 26 points after 15 Premier League matches.
The highlight of 2025 for Oliver Glasner’s team was beating City in the FA Cup final in May, which ensured qualification for Europe.
Now Palace, who have already beaten Liverpool at home this season, are in the top four as they aim even higher.
City have gone under the radar this season but are emerging as the main challengers to Arsenal.