10 Premier League teams returned to action at the weekend after a brief mid-season break as Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the table.
The Reds ran out 4-0 winners over Bournemouth to move five points clear of second placed Man City, while Arsenal moved up to third with a 5-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Elsewhere, Ivan Toney’s return from his eight month suspension inspired Brentford to a crucial 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest, while Sheffield United picked up a valuable point in their bid to avoid relegation with a 2-2 draw with West Ham United.
Here are the five key talking points from this weekend’s Premier League action.
No Salah, no problem, as the future is bright at Liverpool
If anyone was worried about Liverpool missing Mo Salah while he is at the African Cup of Nations, worry no more.
Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez both chipped in with two goals each to fill the Salah void in their 4-0 win over Bournemouth, with Nunez becoming the first Premier League player to score 10+ goals and provide 10+ assists across all competitions this season.
What was even more pleasing for Liverpool is that in Conor Bradley (20), Harvey Elliott (20), Ryan Gravenberch (21), Bobby Clark (18), Owen Beck (21), and Kaide Gordon (19), Liverpool had six players aged 21 or younger play in the same league match for only the fourth time ever.
It was also the first time since 1965 they have done so and given the scrutiny on FFP and the hugely inflated transfer fees involved to buy top class talent in 2024, it could save the Reds millions if those players (Elliott and Gravenberch aside) establish themselves as first team regulars.
"I think we have the players and the quality to keep winning games" 🤝Diogo Jota on how Liverpool have coped without Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold 👇 pic.twitter.com/dZHGLFbc2X
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 21, 2024
Newcastle’s transfer free-for-all in search of FFP solution
Earlier this month, Newcastle United CEO Darren Eales admitted the Magpies could be forced to sell some of their biggest names in order to comply with FFP regulations.
As such, Newcastle have been in the headlines all weekend, despite not having a Premier League game themselves.
Four of Newcastle’s big name stars have been linked with moves away from the club over the last few days, as speculation ramps up as to who they will part ways with to allow them to make incoming transfers.
Kieran Trippier has been the subject of a bid from Bayern Munich, while Callum Wilson was the subject of a loan bid from Atletico Madrid. Both have been rejected by Newcastle.
There have been reports that Joelinton could be sold with the club said to be in a contract stand-off with the Brazilian international.
And a report this morning has claimed Saudi Arabian club Al-Shabab are keen to sign winger Miguel Almiron.
In what has been a low-key January transfer window so far, the first major domino to fall could well be at St James’ Park and it could well ignite the final days on the transfer market.
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Arsenal rediscover goalscoring touch to answer transfer question
After three defeats in a row, scoring just once in those three games, the pre-match build-up all revolved around Arsenal needing firepower up front to score the goals to reinvigorate their title challenge.
The return of Ivan Toney brought about obvious questions about whether Arsenal would move to sign him this month but those questions may well have been quashed after a resounding performance at the weekend.
A brace from Gabriel Martinelli and goals from Gabriel and Leandro Trossard, as well as an own goal from Dean Henderson, secured a 5-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Longer term, Arsenal may well need to sign a forward. But the need may not be as pressing this month after a ruthless display in front of goal.
Ivan Toney sends timely reminder to reinvigorate Brentford
Nonetheless, Toney sent a reminder of his talents after his return from an eight month suspension.
The England international was desperate to repay Brentford’s faith after sticking by him during his ban and he did that after just 19 minutes.
Toney fired in a free-kick to level the scores at 1-1 and put in a man-of-the-match display to earn the Bees their first win in seven games in all competitions.
It moved Thomas Frank’s side six points clear of the relegation places and they can begin to look up, rather than over their shoulder.
Ben Brereton-Diaz offers Sheffield United hope in relegation fight
The Blades’ new forward needed just 44 minutes to mark his Premier League debut with a goal.
The 24-year-old joined Sheffield United on loan from Villarreal this month after finding opportunities hard to come by since his summer move to Spain from Blackburn Rovers.
But he sent an instant reminder of his talents by capping his debut with a vital goal and his performance helped Chris Wilder’s side pick up an invaluable point.
They may be seven points adrift of safety, but with question marks hovering over potential points deductions for Everton and Nottingham Forest amid breaches of FFP, his goals could well keep his new side in with a shout of Premier League survival.