Latest football news and Premier League build-up – Liverpool, Man City – BBC.com
Premier League build-up – manager news conferences including Liverpool and Man City before Sunday clash
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp defends Trent Alexander-Arnold's comments that trophies mean more to his side than City
Guardiola swerves the debate and says he hopes Alexander-Arnold returns from injury soon
Sheff Utd boss Chris Wilder to meet with club owner Prince Abdullah next week to discuss club's future
Newcastle defender Kieran Trippier set to miss England friendlies later this month with injury
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Craig Nelson and George Booth
Thanks for joining us today.
With matchday 28 on the horizon, we will be back tomorrow to bring you live text coverage of all five Premier League battles.
We have heard from 13 Premier League managers today as they look to gain vital victories as we approach the final 10 games of the 2023/24 campaign.
Here's a reminder of some of the top stories:
Goodbye!
Liverpool v Man City (Sun, 15:45 GMT)
As Man City take to the road this weekend for a heavyweight clash against Liverpool, it has the potential to be a classic.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has already said he will never manage in England again – and that he intends to have a year off in 2024-25.
Guardiola has another season left on his City contract at the end of this one and has hinted he will stay on beyond that.
The Guardiola vs. Klopp era is very close to coming to an end, so refresh your memory of some of the best clashes between the two most successful English clubs in recent times.
Click here to read Emlyn Begley's article.
West Ham v Burnley (Sun, 14:00 GMT)
Burnley
Burnley manager Vincent Kompany on West Ham boss David Moyes: "I think he has always done well. He's won a European trophy – what more do you have to say? What could crown the job that you've done at a place better than that?
"I'm not surprised [he gets criticism]. I wish for him to win another European trophy – I guess that will settle it. From my side, I can just speak about what I've seen him do over the years. That's also the reason why it's a great manager to come up against and a great game for us to look forward to."
BBC Sport has a dedicated Burnley page packed with news, analysis and fan views – get it here
Aston Villa v Tottenham (Sun, 13:00 GMT)
Tottenham Hotspur
A final word from Ange Postecoglou on Tottenham team news.
He said that defender Pedro Porro, who has missed the past two games, is available and will travel to Villa Park after training with the team this week.
Postecoglou also confirmed that midfielder Pape Sarr has trained this week and "is stronger" for missing last weekend's game against Crystal Palace.
Aston Villa v Tottenham (Sun, 13:00 GMT)Tottenham Hotspur
More from Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou on fans' frustrations about an increase in season-ticket prices: "That would be me trying to dictate how people should feel and I’m not going to do that. My role is to produce a team that gives them hope and belief and that’s where my role begins and ends."
He added that supporters "are allowed" to voice their opinions because he knows "how much football fans invest in their clubs".
Bournemouth v Sheff Utd (Sat, 15:00 GMT)
Bournemouth did not have it all their own way when they beat Burnley last week but I am expecting them to find it a lot easier against Sheffield United.
If things don't go well for them, Cherries fans can blame me, because I am triple-captaining their striker Dominic Solanke in my Fantasy Football team this weekend.
After this game, they play another side from the bottom three, Luton, at home in a rearranged game on Wednesday. So, my thinking is they have a chance of a cricket score in the next few days… but, because I am captaining him, Solanke probably won't score and will get injured too, while Bournemouth will lose.
Blades boss Chris Wilder said his players were 'broken' after their latest heavy defeat, 6-0 at home to Arsenal on Monday. Being kind, this has been a season to forget for them.
Like Burnley, the Blades have often been outclassed to the point where it has become embarrassing for their fans.
Sutton's prediction: 3-0
Bournemouth v Sheff Utd (Sat, 15:00 GMT)
Sheffield United
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder will meet with owner Prince Abdullah next week to discuss the club's future.
The Blades are bottom of the Premier League, 11 points from safety with 11 games of the season remaining.
Despite finding themselves in a relegation battle, Wilder says "good things" are happening off the pitch as they look beyond the end of the season.
"I'm going out to Riyadh next week for meetings with the owners, for four or five days," Wilder, 56, said.
"They understand the situation that we're in. They're not liking the situation and I didn't expect them to."
Crystal Palace v Luton (Sat, 15:00 GMT)
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner on Sunny Singh Gill becoming the first British South Asian Premier League referee when he takes charge at Selhurst Park on Saturday: "It's great because it shows everything is possible for everybody.
"We want to live in such a world where you don't have to care if you are a man or a woman, if you are from any culture, everything is possible if you work on it.
"I think it's a great statement for the Premier League."
Crystal Palace v Luton (Sat, 15:00 GMT)Crystal Palace
More from Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner on team news: “[Eze ]did every session from the first until the last minute – he is fit.
“He looks very good, and of course his goal gives him more confidence.
“He was able to play 65 minutes without any problems, so he will play more minutes in this game if everything is fine with him.
“It is not just him: Will Hughes is also in his second week with us in training, and that helps him and all the other players.”
On Franca and Jeffrey Schlupp: “We will miss Franca tomorrow.
"He has a problem with his groin. But, Jeffrey Schlupp had the training session today.
“He won’t be in the squad tomorrow, but then we have three weeks with no game, and after the national team break I expect him to be back in the squad.
“So this gives us more options. It is always good as a manager to have the players on the pitch [rather] than in the gym.”
Crystal Palace v Luton (Sat, 15:00 GMT)Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner on Luton: "They are a very physical team and play man-to-man defence, [win] many duels, and they play very fast into your box.
"I think [they have made] the most crosses in the league, with approximately 35% goals after set-pieces.
"There is always belief in them. We could see it against Aston Villa, they were 2-0 down, but they played and then it was 2-2. They just lost it in the last minute.
"So, yes, we have a lot of respect, but we play at home, we play at Selhurst, and we are ready for the game. I'm really happy with the training week we had. The players did very well, are very focused, and that's what we need tomorrow.
"Be focused, take the duels, win the duels, and then we will get our opportunities."
Arsenal v Brentford (Sat, 17:30 GMT)
Even I am getting excited about what Arsenal are doing. They are flying and just can't stop scoring in the Premier League and, if they win this game, they will go back to the top of the table for the first time since the end of December.
There are a few Gunners players who have impressed me recently but I think Kai Havertz deserves some praise. He was dug out a bit at the start of the season when people questioned why they had signed him, but he has turned into a key player and has proved a lot of those doubters wrong.
There was plenty of controversy about this fixture last season, when Brentford's equaliser in a 1-1 draw was wrongly allowed to stand after the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) used the wrong offside line, but I don't see the Gunners having any problems taking the three points this time.
Aaron Ramsdale will be playing because regular keeper David Raya cannot face his parent club, and he had a wobble or two in the reverse fixture in November. But I could probably go in goal for Arsenal at the moment and they would still win.
Sutton's prediction: 3-0
Arsenal v Brentford (Sat, 17:30 GMT)
Brentford
Brentford manager Thomas Frank on what it would mean to him to be in the Premier League for the fourth season: "We have been privileged over the last season with results, it will be up there. It is a hard season, every Premier League season is hard but with injuries and setbacks, to be able to do that, will be a fantastic result which I am convinced we can do."
Arsenal v Brentford (Sat, 17:30 GMT)Brentford
Brentford manager Thomas Frank on Ivan Toney and how the striker performs against teams: "It's definitely something that I don’t speak with Ivan before games. The reason I speak to him is when I haven’t been pleased with performance in previous game or when we need his best for the next game. I know Ivan very well and his mind is on one thing – to perform."
Brighton v Nottingham Forest (Sun, 14:00 GMT)
Nottingham Forest
More from Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espírito Santo on form: "We are playing good and doing a lot of things well but we’re not getting anything from the games", so the only way to get more points is to "try to sustain the level of performances"
On opponents Brighton: "I know they’re a good team and how hard it is to play in Europe and have the Premier League either side. We are talking about a very good opponent with very good players and a very good manager, so we expect a very tough game."
Brighton v Nottingham Forest (Sun, 14:00 GMT)Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo on team news.
On Nicolas Dominguez: "Dominguez recovered well, couple of days to recover but he seems well. Final session tomorrow and that is when we get the final update."
On Chris Wood: "The same, Chris Wood let's see. They [other injured players] are still getting involved with the team – we will wait and see."
Brighton v Nottm Forest (Sun, 14:00 GMT)Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo on first-team coach Steven Reid being charged with misconduct by the FA after confronting referee Paul Tierney following their defeat by Liverpool: "It’s difficult to control your emotions after what happened in the game. We should, but it’s hard when there’s such a big situation happening."
Santo stressed Nottingham Forest, "have to forget about that now and move forward as there are bigger issues" for the club, referring to the relegation fight and the looming possibility of a points deduction.
Liverpool v Man City (Sun, 15:45 GMT)
Manchester City
A final few words from Pep Guardiola, starting with a question on whether he spends time with Jurgen Klopp away from the pitch: "No. Sometimes in the corridor before the press conference. When we were honoured to get in the Hall of Fame we spent time with families, but in terms of lunch or dinners, it never happened. We have to decide who pays, that's why we didn't do it. I think it's going to happen sooner or later, I would love it."
The Manchester City boss was also asked again about Trent Alexander-Arnold's comments and the response from Erling Haaland and Ruben Dias. He said: "They defend the club not by responding to this guy but what they have done for many years on the pitch every three days. That is the best way. I could answer but why? It is what it is. I'm incredibly proud of what we have done and I don't need that to feel that my players are really trying to do it."
Guardiola on Haaland's body language when he misses a chance or the team fails to win: "I was not referencing just Erling, it was the team. It is improving but we will have setbacks and improve again. Football, like life, is like that. It is how you solve it. The numbers from Erling, his contribution, is massive. The last game he was tired in his movements. Two months [out injured] is a long time for a guy who is so tall. He's getting better and I'm pretty sure at the end of the season he will help us a lot."
West Ham v Burnley (Sun, 14:00 GMT)Burnley
Burnley boss Vincent Kompany on anticipating West Ham will be ready for the game on Sunday: "I suppose if you're not used to it, it might affect you a little bit more. I think West Ham are a team used to having a fixture this way. They reached the final of the Conference League not so long ago, so they're used to that."
On improving on the "tremendous amount of courage" shown against Bournemouth last time out: "When you get beaten down, a little bit like we were after the Palace game, to build your energy back up and show what we showed against Bournemouth – we had 20 shots, we were aggressive in duels and all over the pitch – to bring that energy at this point of the season, when we've had so many tough weekends, that's something special."
Why Burnley fans are standing by their manager despite relegation looming
West Ham v Burnley (Sun, 14:00 GMT)
West Ham United
West Ham manager David Moyes on Vincent Kompany: "I have sympathy for a lot of managers. He's done a really good job with what he has got. He did a brilliant job last season and has continued to bring them on. His team have played well in many games this season and we will need to play really well to beat them."
BBC Sport has a dedicated Hammers page packed with news, analysis and fan views – get it here
West Ham v Burnley (Sun, 14:00 GMT)West Ham United
West Ham manager David Moyes on midfielder Kalvin Phillips: "He didn't necessarily need to be improved, he just needed game time and that takes a bit of time. Kalvin will continue to improve with the more game time he gets and he is showing that at the moment. Hopefully we can bring him along and get him back to the level where he was in recent seasons."
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