Liverpool has the opportunity to solidify their position at the summit of the Premier League in their upcoming Sunday fixture against Bournemouth.
Meanwhile, Arsenal, currently facing a challenging phase, aims to rejuvenate their title aspirations by hoping for a stumble from Liverpool as they confront Crystal Palace.
On a different note, the focus shifts to the lower end of the table, where Brentford’s Ivan Toney is anticipated to make a comeback in a crucial match against fellow struggler Nottingham Forest.
As we anticipate this weekend’s football action, AFP Sport highlights three key talking points.
Mac Allister’s mark of success
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister is already contemplating a tattoo to commemorate what promises to be a memorable season as the formidable Reds vie for four major trophies.
Under the leadership of Jurgen Klopp, the table-topping Liverpool squad holds a two-point lead over second-placed Manchester City, and a triumph over Bournemouth on Sunday could extend that lead to five points.
Despite the absence of Mohamed Salah at the Africa Cup of Nations, Liverpool has maintained an unbeaten streak in their last seven matches across all competitions. Their ambitious goals for the season include clinching the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, and Europa League titles.
Signed from Brighton in the recent off-season, Mac Allister has emerged as a pivotal player in Liverpool’s resurgence this campaign. The flamboyant Argentina World Cup winner is not only eager to commemorate his country’s victory in Qatar last year with a tattoo but also plans to add any silverware lifted by Liverpool this season to his body art collection.
“I want to get my tattoo about the World Cup first and then, of course, I will get something about Liverpool, because since the first day I felt a really good connection with this club and I’m really happy to be here,” Mac Allister said.
“(A trophy) would be nice! Maybe on my leg. Hopefully we can win something this year and get it done.”
Arsenal on the rocks
Experiencing only a single victory in their previous seven matches across all competitions, Arsenal finds themselves in an inconvenient downturn that poses a risk to their pursuit of their first title since 2004.
Under the management of Mikel Arteta, Arsenal is set to face Crystal Palace on Saturday, confronted by a string of setbacks, including three consecutive losses against Liverpool in the FA Cup, Fulham, and West Ham in the Premier League.
Arsenal, once leading the table before Christmas, has encountered a troublesome phase marked by a detrimental combination of ineffective goal-scoring and lax defensive performances.