Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur’s New Year’s Day Premier League talking points in action

Can Liverpool banish the set-piece blues?

Liverpool vs Leeds – Wednesday 5.30pm – move on with life sky sports main event

Liverpool have won their last three league games, having won just two of their previous ten. The ship is leveling off. But Arne Slaughter still had problems to solve. His biggest headache must be the rate at which his team concedes goals from set-pieces – 12 so far, the worst record in the Europa League.

When Liverpool traveled to Leeds United in early December, they were in trouble due to this problem and were eventually equalized from a corner kick by Tanaka Ao.

More than 50% of the goals Liverpool have conceded this season have come from set pieces (including penalties).

Well, here’s an opportunity to right some wrongs. Leeds United were exceptionally good at set-pieces – unusual among a team in the top five for efficiency. Daniel Falke’s side have scored 12 set-pieces, level with Arsenal and only 13 behind league leaders Manchester United. 48% of their total goals were scored this way.

The meeting was therefore the perfect test for Slaughter’s vow to improve in this area after parting ways with the set-piece coach. Aaron Briggs Just this week. If they don’t clean up, Leeds are more than capable of inflicting punishment. And Slott was unable to add more fuel to the set piece fire.
Laura Hunter

Fulham boss Silva bids for history against goal-starved Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace vs Fulham – Wednesday 5.30pm – move on with life sky sports premier league

Two teams with the same points but different form will meet at Selhurst Park on New Year’s Day.

Crystal Palace are winless in their last five games in all competitions, with a tight December schedule taking its toll.

But Fulham are on pace for a fourth consecutive league win, having only previously achieved four in a row in the Premier League.

The Cottagers will also be hoping for a chance to equal their record, with Palace now struggling in front of goal.

Oliver Glasner’s side had just two shots on target in Sunday’s home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur and have scored just once in their last three league games.

It’s no surprise that Crystal Palace are bringing in the Tottenham winger Brennan Johnson agrees £35m deal The Wales international was Spurs’ top scorer last season.

If Fulham can keep a clean sheet in south London, it will become history for Marco Silva as he will become the first manager in the Premier League to keep clean sheets away from the same opponent in six consecutive games.

Fulham’s suspension will also increase Crystal Palace’s need for Johnson’s arrival and further signings in January if the Eagles are to start moving in the right direction in 2026.
Declan Ollie

Manchester City become whole again

Sunderland v Manchester City – Wednesday 8pm – move on with life sky sports main event

Manchester City are reaching their peak. Six consecutive wins, their strongest since the end of the 2023/24 season, when they won their last nine games to clinch the Premier League title.

Their flush attack has and will continue to generate a wealth of content, constantly evolving to reveal new dimensions: Rayan Cherki is the latest revelation. He has been involved in eight goals in his last nine league games. But there’s more to this team than just style and top-tier brilliance.

Guardiola has also found a formula at the back, naming the same four starting players in 11 of 18 games so far. Of those 11 games, 10 ended in victory, with the only exception being a 2-1 loss to Newcastle.

With Josco Gvardiol and Ruben Dias at their core, City have two athletic centre-backs who can perfectly balance the left and right sides. They also combined for six goals.

Those two are flanked by a pair of former midfielders, Nico O’Reilly and Matheus Nunes, who are more than capable of providing solidity and creativity off the ball. Their up-and-down dynamic is exactly what Guardiola likes, similar to Kyle Walker in his prime, and means City are less vulnerable to counter-attacks.

With the width provided by the two full-backs, City’s forward players can swarm into the center to create overloads and find Erling Haaland more consistently. The late undermatch runs that O’Reilly is particularly good at are difficult to track and add another layer of unpredictability.

City’s current squad is unlike anything we’ve seen before, and it would be a mistake to think that its effectiveness rests entirely with Haaland and Pep’s team-mates. Not far from the complete package.
Laura Hunter

Frank returns to Brentford for first time, aiming to win the same affection at Tottenham

Brentford vs Tottenham Hotspur – Wednesday 8pm – move on with life sky sports premier league

Before the start of the season, not many would have imagined that Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank would return to Brentford at the start of 2026 and that his new club would be lower than his old one.

But that was the case when he first returned to the Gtech Community Stadium, where he was universally adored as manager for six-and-a-half years.

“Brentford Football Club, the fans and especially the people I work closely with have a special place in my heart,” Frank told his pre-match press conference.

After six and a half months at Tottenham Hotspur, he has yet to feel the same love and affection from Spurs fans.

Sunday’s pressure-packed win against Crystal Palace was a much-needed win and gives Frank hope that 13th-placed Spurs can move forward with a series of games ahead.

A win on New Year’s Day would move them into the top half of the table and back into European contention.

But what Frank knows best is that his side face a tougher test than Selhurst Park, where Brentford are a formidable side at home – something he masterminded and maintained brilliantly by his successor Keith Andrews.

The Bees have won eight of their last 12 home Premier League games, including four of their last five under Andrews. In fact, only Manchester City (11), Aston Villa (10) and Arsenal (9) have won more home league games than Brentford since the start of 12 games in April.

For Frank, being in the dugout across from Gtech Community Stadium is an unfamiliar feeling.

But if he sees a familiar Brentford home performance that his Spurs side can’t offset, it could well be a miserable return home for Frank.
Declan Ollie

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