Elsewhere, third-placed Nottingham Forest host Brighton, hoping to bounce back from last week’s 5-0 thrashing at Bournemouth, while Tottenham look to halt their alarming slide at Brentford

Being a good, young left-back with Premier League experience is not the only reason he is being connected to Liverpool. Sporting director Richard Hughes, who joined Liverpool in the summer after leaving Bournemouth, signed the defender for his former club.

The ex-Liverpool midfielder endured a tricky time at the Asian club and parted company today, avoiding the impending back-to-back sacking.

Baller League, a six-a-side football competition backed by a range of influencers and former footballers, has picked up new investment from venture firm Apex and a group of Premier League stars.

Liverpool topped the inaugural Champions League group phase despite defeat by PSV while Manchester City scraped through

The UEFA Champions League's first-ever league phase is over, and the knockout stage outlook is now much clearer. Manchester City avoided disaster, Liverpool topped the league-phase table, and we will get Manchester City against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the playoffs.

Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid were among the European heavyweights who will have to play an extra round in the Champions League's new format.

An away clash at Bournemouth might not have been underlined as a major obstacle in Liverpool's pursuit of the Premier League title but Saturday's clash on the south coast suddenly looks anything but a relaxed trip to the seaside.

Manchester United have reportedly accelerated plans to sign Jamie Bynoe-Gitten amid claims a deal to sell Alejandro Garnacho is close to being agreed.

Manchester United have made contact with Lyon about the potential signing of attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki before the January transfer deadline, according to reports. However, Ruben Amorim could be thwarted by Premier League rivals, with Liverpool and Tottenham also mooted as suitors.

Liverpool's Champions League campaign sees them dodge the knockout play-off round - but Manchester City will have to negotiate it before playing the Reds just days later