Premier League news LIVE: Erling Haaland latest and injury updates from today’s press conferences
The Premier League is back following the international break as Manchester City’s clash with Liverpool kicks off the weekend’s fixtures
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana are set to be fit as the Premier League returns from the November international break this weekend.
All three players withdrew or were absent from their international squads over the past fortnight but are set to be available for their respective fixtures. Haaland was considered to be an injury doubt after picking up a knock in Norway’s friendly win against the Faroe Islands, but Pep Guardiola is hopeful he will be ready to face Liverpool in Saturday’s top-of-the table clash.
The battle between Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp kicks off when should be a fascinating run of fixtures leading up to Christmas and beyond. Along with the fight for first place, there’s the battle for fourth with Aston Villa, Manchester United, Newcastle and Brighton all chasing down Tottenham who currently sit in the final Champions League place. Villa face Spurs this weekend while United host Everton.
Speaking of the Toffees, they are once again in the midst of a relegation battle having been deducted 10-points for breaking the Premier League’s financial rules. The deduction sees them drop down to 19th above Burnley, and puts them two points away from safety.
Follow along for the latest updates and injury news from the Premier League:
Why Erik ten Hag will not be on touchline for Everton vs Man United
Manchester United return to Premier League action against Everton on Sunday, but manager Erik ten Hag will be absent from the Goodison Park touchline.
The Dutchman is in his second season in charge of the Old Trafford club.
His side visit Everton in their first fixture after the international break as they look to keep up their chase for a possible Champions League place after an uneven start to the season.
Why Erik ten Hag will not be on touchline for Everton vs Manchester United
The Manchester United manager will not be permitted pitchside at Goodison Park
Rodrigo Bentancur return eases Tottenham’s injury crisis
Ange Postecoglou is excited to see Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur close to his best again amid a growing injury crisis at the club.
Spurs host Aston Villa on Sunday with at least nine first-team players ruled out and Pape Sarr a doubt after he returned with a knock from international duty with Senegal.
A much-needed positive for the Australian is the return to fitness of Bentancur, who made his first competitive start in nine months in Uruguay’s 3-0 win over Bolivia on Tuesday after a serious knee injury.
Rodrigo Bentancur return eases Tottenham’s injury crisis
The midfielder made his first first in nine months in Uruguay’s 3-0 win over Bolivia on Tuesday and is expected to face Aston Villa this weekend
Pochettino on facing Newcastle
“We have a team that is going to be really strong and tough, it is a team that has built for the Champions League which is our aim for next season. Which is why it is going to be tough.”
Ten Hag on attacking reinforcements
“Our players are able to score goals. They’ve shown it already. Rashy [Marcus Rashford] scored 30 goals last season, Rasmus [Hojlund] has scored five Champions League goals.
“Not many players across Europe can deliver that. So our players are capable of scoring goals and there will come a point when they will.
“As a group, we’re ranked fifth in the Premier League for creating chances so the players need to step up and deal with the pressures.”
Klopp on MacAllister playing as a holding midfielder
“I do not know the line-up [for the game versus Man City] in this moment, I have to talk to a lot of people before I make that,” said Jurgen Klopp when addressing his plans for the weekend.
“I understand from the outside world it is all about a player in this position, or this position, but in the end it is all about how the whole team is set up.
“So is Macca a natural-born No 6? No. Did football develop in the last year in directions we could never imagine before? Yes. Does that mean then that a player like Macca can play as a No 6? Definitely it depends on how the whole team defends.
“That is it, easy as that. And if we do that properly, then you have an incredible, extra, player in a central position who finds passes and is a forward-thinking player.
“Do you want someone there who is just knocking players down and when he is in possession he thinks, ‘it’s not my job, give me a break’?
“It is not that easy. I like him there a lot to be honest and we as a team can benefit a lot from it if we make sure we have a really compact formation and that is what we need, especially tomorrow.”
Moyes on Burnley’s relegation battle
David Moyes guided West Ham clear of relegation last season and knows the position that Burnley boss Vincent Kompany is in. The Clarets are bottom of the Premier League table with just one win so far.
“It’s incredibly tough to battle against relegation. It’s a really difficult job,” said Moyes.
“There’s a lot of stress and worry with it because you’re desperate to get away from the bottom end of the table. It’s not something I’ve ever enjoyed or want to do again if I can help it.”
Klopp on Liverpool’s title challenge
“We are not perfect, we saw that, the last Premier League game, was ours to lose,” said Klopp when asked if Liverpool could win the Premier League.
“We were not good there, I made a lot of changes, it was really on my responsibility but still we were not good against Luton, we could’ve won the game.
“A lot of games we were good and deserved what we got. With 10 men we were outstanding, these kind of things are all us. It’s not a test on how close we get to City, it’s just a really super exciting game, I would watch it wherever on the planet.
“We have to prepare for it properly and we know we have to be at our best to get a chance. We will see.”
Moyes provides injury updates on Bowen and Antonio
Jarrod Bowen suffered a knee problem on international duty with England but West Ham manager David Moyes has not ruled out the forward being involved at Burnley on Saturday.
“We hope Jarrod will be available tomorrow against Burnley but we will make a decision on that tomorrow,” said the Hammers boss.
Moyes added: “Michail [Antonio] has got a small injury. It’s not serious, it will probably keep him out for a couple of weeks. I think, give or take, two weeks. I don’t want to nail down an exact time span but about that long.”
Pochettino on Cole Palmer
“We were talking in the last few weeks in how we need to keep our players at their best,” said Mauricio Pochettino whe sepaking about the impact of Cole Palmer on Chelsea’s form.
“We need to push them every day to keep them outside of their comfortable zone. To push him and players every day in their uncomfortable zone.
“That’s why we sign him as we really believe in him.
“Man City won the Premier League and Champions League and it’s never easy when they win that. Maybe its easier for him to settle here.”
Pochettino on Nkunku and James
Mauricio Pochettino spoke about Christopher Nkunku finding his way into the Chelsea starting XI once he is fit and said: “He is going to find massive competition as his team-mates are ahead of him over the last four months. He needs to find his best form and level to compete with those players.
“In Chelsea the expectation is always maximum. But we all need to understand with the injury he is going to need time and we need to be patient with him.
“He needs not only to recover but learn the league and culture. So it will take time to perform in his space.”
The Chelsea boss also addressed Reece James’ fitness adding: “He is doing well and improving every day. We hope he can cope with 90 minutes.”
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