James Tarkowski struck in the 98th minute to salvage a 2-2 draw for Everton against Liverpool as four red cards were issued after full-time on a dramatic final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Wednesday. Liverpool edge seven points clear at the top of the Premier League but were denied a vital win by Tarkowski’s blistering strike after Mohamed Salah put Arne Slot’s men in front. Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure, Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones, Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff were then sent off as tempers flared at the final whistle on a night Liverpool will come to regret if they do not go on to lift a record-equalling 20th English top flight title.

“Very tough,” said Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk. “We saw the celebrations they had in the end so we know how much it meant for them but the fact is it was disappointing for us.”

Everton are set to move to a new 53,000 capacity stadium in Liverpool’s Bramley Moore Dock next season and gave their home since 1892 a night to remember against their local rivals.

“Mental probably sums it up,” said Everton boss David Moyes. “A brilliant finish for us, to finish the last Goodison Merseyside derby and score in the last minute is in a way fitting.”

Liverpool’s quest for a quadruple came unstuck with a shock FA Cup exit to second-tier strugglers Plymouth on Sunday.

Slot made 10 changes as he resorted to his strongest available side with Salah and Van Dijk among those who had been afforded the weekend off.

Everton’s own FA Cup exit to Bournemouth on Saturday had punctured some of their momentum since Moyes’ return for a second spell in charge.

The Toffees had won their previous three Premier League games to pull nine points clear of the relegation zone and got off to a flying start.

Liverpool were caught napping on 11 minutes by a quick free-kick by Jarrad Branthwaite to free Beto, who beat Alisson Becker for his third goal in two league games.

The visitors could have been swept away in the feverish atmosphere early on but the Reds immediate response was the making of champions.

Alexis Mac Allister started and finished the move as the diminutive Argentine midfielder ghosted into the penalty area to head in Salah’s teasing cross.

Salah strikes

Everton then suffered a huge blow as their creative hub Iliman Ndiaye limped off in tears after a long stoppage.

The first half never recovered its flow amid a flurry of fouls and yellow cards as the Premier League fixture with the most red cards in history threatened to boil over once more.

The home crowd briefly erupted once more when Branthwaite fired home only for the celebrations to be cut short by the offside flag.

Slot was growing visibly frustrated with his side’s lack of penetration going forward and turned to his bench for an impact with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jones and Darwin Nunez sent on to find a winner.

The changes worked as Salah delivered what looked like a potential title-clinching moment.

Jones and Nunez exchanged a one-two and when the former’s shot was blocked by Branthwaite, it fell kindly for Salah to prod in his 27th goal of the season.

Only a brilliant save by Jordan Pickford crucially denied Salah a second late on.

And Everton rallied when Liverpool failed to deal with a hopeful ball into the box and it fell to centre-back Tarkowski to fire into the top corner.

A lengthy VAR check followed for offside and Everton fans had to be cleared off the pitch before the game could restart.

When it did there was more fireworks as Doucoure and Jones were both shown sent off clashing after the Everton midfielder celebrated in front of the travelling Liverpool support.

Slot and Hulshoff also saw reds for taking their protests towards referee Michael Oliver too far after the game.

South Africa will face Mohamed Salah-captained Egypt while Ademola Lookman-inspired Nigeria must tackle Tunisia after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations group stage draw was made in Rabat on Monday. Hosts Morocco face giantkillers Comoros in the opening match of the 24-team tournament on December 21 while title-holders Ivory Coast will come up against five-time winners Cameroon. Sudan, a country ravaged by civil war, drew Algeria, and the clash of Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo is set to be another group-stage highlight.   

Prolific scorer Salah has won multiple honours with Liverpool, but victory in the AFCON has eluded him. He came closest by finishing a runner-up in 2017 and 2022.

Apart from South Africa, the record seven-time champions will take on two other countries from the south of the continent, Angola and Zimbabwe, in Group B. 

Nigeria, runners-up to the Ivory Coast last year, are blessed with outstanding forwards, including African Footballer of the Year Lookman and his predecessor Victor Osimhen. 

Tunisia, making a record 17th consecutive AFCON appearance, and east African contenders Uganda and Tanzania complete Group C.

Amad Diallo, scorer of a recent hat-trick for Manchester United against Southampton, is a likely starter for Ivory Coast, who will also meet Gabon and Mozambique in Group F.  

With home advantage and Europe-based stars like Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi, Morocco will be hoping to become the fourth AFCON hosts this century to lift the trophy. 

In the previous 13 editions from 2000, only Tunisia in 2004, Egypt two years later and the Ivory Coast in 2024 have triumphed at home.  

And all three triumphs were hard earned with Tunisia edging Morocco 2-1, Egypt pipping the Ivory Coast in a penalty shootout and the Ivorians coming from behind to beat Nigeria 2-1 last year.

Ivory Coast are the only country to have been crowned champions twice in the past eight editions of a competition first staged in 1957 and won by Egypt in Khartoum.

The other champions were Egypt, for a record seventh time in 2010, Zambia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Algeria and Senegal.

CAF president Patrick Motsepe from South Africa told reporters he believes the first AFCON to span two years will also be the most successful.

“I am extremely excited about the AFCON in Morocco — it is going to be the most successful yet. Ivory Coast raised the bar last year and now we must reach even greater heights.

Originally slated for mid-2025, the tournament had to be delayed because to avoid clashing with the maiden edition of the revamped FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

“The new dates will not affect the tournament. Africa boasts many exceptionally talented footballers and all of them will be in Morocco,” added Motsepe.

Hosting the AFCON is viewed as a crucial part of the Moroccan build-up toward the 2030 World Cup, which the kingdom will co-host with Spain and Portugal.

To mark the 100th anniversary of the first World Cup in 1930 in Uruguay, that country, Argentina and Paraguay will host one match each before the tournament moves to Europe and Africa.      

Draw

Group A

Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros 

Group B

Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe

Group C

Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania

Group D

Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, Botswana

Group E

Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan

Group F

Ivory Coast (holders), Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique

File image of Cole Palmer.© AFP

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp expressed hope on Tuesday that Mohamed Salah will sign a new contract to stay at Anfield beyond the end of this season. “I hope he stays. He is a fantastic player, a fantastic human being, an outstanding athlete, the best ambassador your country could have. So I hope he will stay at Liverpool,” Klopp replied to a question about Salah from an Egyptian journalist during a press conference in Austria.

Klopp was speaking at his unveiling as Red Bull’s head of global soccer, a role in which he will oversee the energy drinks conglomerate’s football empire.

The German is starting out in the position having left Liverpool at the end of last season, after close to nine years as the club’s manager.

Red Bull controls clubs in several countries around the world, including RB Leipzig in Klopp’s native Germany, while it recently acquired a minority stake in French second-tier side Paris FC.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have enjoyed a seamless transition to life without Klopp, as they sit six points clear at the top of the Premier League and top of the Champions League standings under his successor Arne Slot.

Klopp reiterated that he felt it was the right time to step down at Anfield and said he did not miss the daily grind of club management.

“I am more than happy not to be there,” he said.

“It is really great that they are doing so well, I wish them all the best. I watch as many games as I can.

“It is great football. Even if you don’t support Liverpool right now you had better watch them because it is really top football, maybe the best balanced in the world right now.”

The former Borussia Dortmund coach added that he hoped Salah’s fellow stars Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold would also choose to extend their contracts, which expire at the end of the season too.

“I am so happy I am not in charge in that situation, having to answer these questions,” he sighed.

“From my point of view I would love all three of them to extend their contracts but I don’t know, they didn’t tell me.”

Asked if he could try to sign any of them for the Red Bull empire, which includes New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer, he responded with a touch of irony:

“Oh yeah. Virgil I am sure would love to have five more years at Liverpool and then play from 41 to 44 for New York Red Bulls because he probably underestimates US football.

“Mo, yes I would love to, but I don’t think we have a chance to pay him to be honest.

“I am just really happy I am no longer a part of it.”

Tottenham vs Liverpool LIVE Streaming, Carabao Cup: Premier League leaders Liverpool take on Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of the Carabao Cup. Liverpool have been the most in-form side in the world in the 2024/25 season, and have the chance to take a step towards their first trophy of the season. On the other hand, Tottenham will also fancy their chances, having defeated Manchester City in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup. Liverpool, on the other hand, have defeated West Ham and Brighton en route to the two-legged semi-final.

The second leg will be played almost a month later, on February 7.

Here are the LIVE Streaming details for Tottenham vs Liverpool, Carabao Cup LIVE Telecast EFL Cup: Check Where and How To Watch

When will the Tottenham vs Liverpool, Carabao Cup match take place?

The Tottenham vs Liverpool, Carabao Cup match will take place on Thursday, January 9 (IST).

Where will the Tottenham vs Liverpool, Carabao Cup match be held?

The Tottenham vs Liverpool, Carabao Cup match will be held at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London.

What time will the Tottenham vs Liverpool, Carabao Cup match start?

The Tottenham vs Liverpool, Carabao Cup match will start at 1:30 AM IST.

Which TV channels will show the live telecast of the Tottenham vs Liverpool, Carabao Cup match?

The Tottenham vs Liverpool, Carabao Cup match will not be televised live in India.

Where to follow the live streaming of the Tottenham vs Liverpool, Carabao Cup match?

The Tottenham vs Liverpool, Carabao Cup match will be live streamed on the FanCode app and website.

(All details are as per information provided by the broadcaster)

Manchester United rallied to snap a four-game losing streak and halt Liverpool’s romp towards the Premier League title in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Anfield on Sunday. Liverpool move six points clear at the top of the table, with a game in hand to come, over second-placed Arsenal. But this was an opportunity lost for Arne Slot’s men after they came from behind to lead 2-1 through Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah‘s penalty. United broke their six-year goal drought at Anfield to open the scoring in spectacular fashion through Lisandro Martinez and got the point a much-improved performance deserved when Amad Diallo levelled on 80 minutes.

A point edges the Red Devils up to 13th in the table and seven clear of the relegation zone.

Liverpool boss Slot warned that United were “much better” than their shocking league position suggested ahead of the game and so it proved.

United had been carved open at will by Newcastle in a dismal 2-0 defeat on Monday that left manager Ruben Amorim declaring they were in a relegation battle.

Amorim‘s hand was strengthened by the return of captain Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte from suspension, while Kobbie Mainoo also returned to the starting line-up.

The Portuguese’s plan to frustrate Liverpool worked but the home side did have the chances early on to make the breakthrough.

Gakpo prodded past the far post from Ryan Gravenberch’s through ball.

Moments later Salah picked out Alexis Mac Allister with a sumptuous pass that the Argentine caught flush and forced Andre Onana into a fine save with his feet.

United took time to begin to impose themselves as an attacking threat but should have been in front before the break.

Diallo miscued his header with the goal gaping from Diogo Dalot’s cross.

Rasmus Hojlund then had the best chance of the first half when he raced in behind the Liverpool defence but could not beat Alisson Becker.

Renewed confidence

However, confidence was suddenly coursing back into United players who have looked bereft in recent weeks.

The visitors’ breakthrough came from an unlikely source as Martinez showed his strikers how to finish with a blistering hit in off the underside of the bar for just his second goal for the club.

The Anfield crowd were beginning to get restless as the league leaders were briefly at sixes and sevens.

However, Liverpool’s position at the top of the table owes much to the depth of firepower they possess.

Even on a quiet day for Salah, they had an in-form forward to come up with the moment of magic required to turn the game.

Gakpo turned inside his Dutch international colleague Matthijs de Ligt and blasted high past Onana for his 10th goal in 15 games on the hour mark.

Despite the equaliser Slot immediately made two offensive changes, as Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez were introduced, and got his reward.

MacAllister’s header flicked off De Ligt’s outstretched arm inside the penalty area and a VAR review resulted in the awarding of a spot-kick.

Salah smashed low and hard beyond Onana for his 18th Premier League goal in 19 games.

However, United’s spirited display got the point it merited to halt an alarming losing streak for Amorim so early in his reign.

Alejandro Garnacho‘s attitude has been questioned by his new boss but the Argentine came off the bench to make the equaliser as his low cross was turned in by Diallo.

And it should have been even better for United when Harry Maguire spooned Joshua Zirkzee‘s pass over the bar with the goal gaping deep into stoppage time.

Liverpool v Man United, Premier League 2024-25© AFP

Curtis Jones fired Liverpool seven points clear at the top of the Premier League as the title favourites survived a scare in their 3-1 win against struggling Leicester on Thursday. Arne Slot’s side were shocked by Jordan Ayew’s early strike at Anfield, but the leaders recovered their composure to equalise just before the interval through Cody Gakpo. England midfielder Jones marked his 100th top-flight appearance with the second goal soon after half-time. Mohamed Salah‘s 19th goal this term wrapped up Liverpool’s 11th win in their last 13 games in all competitions.

Liverpool’s comeback lifted them well clear of second-placed Chelsea, who were beaten 2-1 by Fulham earlier in the day.

“Because we went 1-0 down it was a game before we made it 3-1 and then I think you saw how good we really are,” Slot said.

The rampant Reds, who hold a game in hand on Chelsea, have been beaten just once in 17 league matches this season.

They have won 22 of their 26 games in all competitions in a remarkable run since Slot arrived from Feyenoord in the close-season to replace Jurgen Klopp.

Klopp led Liverpool to their last Premier League title in 2020 and Slot has them perfectly positioned to emulate that feat in the second half of the season.

“It’s bit of a boring answer, but as a manager you go game by game because you know how many you still have to play,” Slot said of Liverpool’s title bid.

“You see especially in the Premier League results that you didn’t expect because teams have so much quality.

“Maybe if it was the Eredivisie it would feel like this but not in this competition.”

Also through to the League Cup semi-finals and top of the Champions League, Liverpool, who travel to West Ham for their last match of the year on Sunday, will go into 2025 in contention of an unprecedented quadruple.

Third-bottom Leicester are one point from safety after a third consecutive defeat.

Salah nearly gave Liverpool the perfect start as his close-range effort smacked the post.

But on a night when Anfield was surrounded by a murky mist, Liverpool’s defence was lost in the fog in the sixth minute.

Relentless pressure

Stephy Mavididi surged away down the left wing and whipped in a low cross which Ayew controlled adroitly before spinning to smash a low shot past Alisson Becker at his near post.

Liverpool’s defence was unusually lax in the early stages and Leicester’s Bilal El Khannouss was left unmarked for a volley that whistled over.

But the tide soon turned and Darwin Nunez met Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s cross with a header that was deflected behind before Salah’s chipped effort looped onto the roof of the net.

Andrew Robertson was inches away from equalising when the Liverpool defender’s header cannoned off the post.

Slot’s men were pouring forward in waves and Salah’s curler ricocheted off the crossbar just before half-time.

Gakpo ensured Liverpool would be rewarded for their relentless pressure on the stroke of half-time as the Dutch forward stroked a superb strike into the top corner from the edge of the area.

Gakpo’s 10th goal in all competitions this season was a familiar sight for Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, who coached him during their time at PSV Eindhoven.

Leicester haven’t won at Anfield in the Premier League since 2000 and their hopes of a historic victory were in tatters just four minutes into the second half.

Sweeping into the Leicester area in a blur of pace and movement, Salah and Alexis Mac Allister teed up Jones to slot home from close range, with the goal surviving a lengthy VAR check for a potential offside.

Salah put the final flourish on Liverpool’s stirring fightback, cutting in from the right flank to guide a fine finish into the far corner in the 82nd minute.

Christmas Premier League chart-toppers Liverpool are overwhelming favourites to see off struggling Leicester on Boxing Day (Thursday). Meanwhile both crisis-hit Manchester clubs will seek a festive fillip, with faltering champions City at home to Wolves and United away to Wolves. Second-placed Chelsea host Fulham while in-form Arsenal will fancy their chances against relegation-threatened Ipswich on Friday, even without the injured Bukayo Saka. Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham, licking their wounds after a brutal 6-3 hammering by Liverpool, face a tough assignment at high-flying Nottingham Forest.

AFP Sport picks out some of the major talking points in the run-up to one of the busiest points of the English football season.

Liverpool top of the tree

Liverpool are top the table on Christmas Day for the first time since the 2020/21 season and will want to make it count.

Just once in the past seven top-flight campaigns in which they have sat at the summit on December 25, have they gone on to win the title.

Arne Slot’s side returned to winning ways in style on Sunday, overwhelming Spurs following two frustrating draws.

They are four points clear of Chelsea with a game in hand. It would be a huge surprise if they slipped up against Leicester at home, especially with Mohamed Salah enjoying a purple patch.

The Egypt international is the first player to reach double figures for both goals (15) and assists (11) before Christmas in the history of the Premier League.

Leicester won their first match under new manager Ruud van Nistelrooy earlier this month but have collected just a single point in their past three matches, conceding nine goals.

The leaky Foxes have not won at Anfield since 2000 and are just two points clear of the drop zone after returning to the top flight this season.

Saka blow forces Arsenal rethink

A buoyant Mikel Arteta said the Premier League title race was “on” after Arsenal swept Crystal Palace aside 5-1 on Saturday.

But one dark cloud was Saka limping off at Selhurst Park, with the England winger set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.

It is a blow for Arteta, depriving him of his most potent attacking weapon — Saka has scored nine goals and provided 13 assists in all competitions this season — just as Arsenal are finding their form again.

“It’s going to be a really good exercise for all of us to think about ways to overcome another challenge, because we’ve already had a lot in the season,” said Arsenal boss Arteta, whose team are third in the Premier League table.

Arteta has a number of attacking options, with Gabriel Martinelli a candidate to fill the void, but Saka, 23, offers something unique.

Forest chase European dream

Nottingham Forest fans are dreaming of a return to the Champions League — more than 40 years after they last played in Europe’s premier club competition.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have won seven of their past 10 Premier League games to climb to fourth in the table ahead of their match against Tottenham on Thursday.

Forest have not won a major trophy since 1990 but they have a proud tradition in continental competition — with the Midlands club twice crowned European champions under former manager Brian Clough, in 1979 and 1980.

While Forest are not prolific scorers, they are impressive at the back — only Liverpool and Arsenal have conceded fewer goals in the English top flight this season.

Former Spurs boss Nuno is braced for the unknown against his former club, who have built a reputation as great entertainers.

“You never know what’s going to happen in the game,” he said. “What we can see is good players, a lot of goals, also conceding goals.”

Fixtures

Thursday (1500 GMT unless stated)

Manchester City v Everton (1230), Bournemouth v Crystal Palace, Chelsea v Fulham, Newcastle v Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest v Tottenham, Southampton v West Ham, Wolves v Manchester United (1730), Liverpool v Leicester (2000)

Friday

Brighton v Brentford (1930), Arsenal v Ipswich (2015)

Liverpool swept four points clear at the top of the Premier League as Mohamed Salah‘s masterclass inspired a memorable 6-3 rout of Tottenham, while Manchester United crashed to a humiliating 3-0 home defeat against Bournemouth on Sunday. Salah delivered a sublime performance featuring two goals and a pair of assists as Arne Slot’s side ran riot in north London. The 32-year-old is now Liverpool’s fourth top scorer ever with 229 goals. Salah’s brace took him past Billy Liddell, with only Ian Rush (346), Roger Hunt (285) and Gordon Hodgson (241) ahead of him.

The rampant Reds have won 21 of their 25 matches in all competitions under Slot and have a game in hand on Chelsea to strengthen their lead in the title race.

This was a remarkable display of Liverpool’s firepower as Luis Diaz and Alexis Mac Allister scored to put them in command.

Dominik Szoboszlai grabbed Liverpool’s third and Egypt star Salah took over after the break before Diaz netted again.

“For 60 minutes we did everything we had to do, we were comfortable and good with the ball. The main thing is we worked very hard,” Slot said.

“But you have to be on top of your game for the whole game and we didn’t do that.”

Punished for Ange Postecoglou’s insistence on sticking to his high defensive line, it was the first time since 1997 that Tottenham had conceded six goals in a home league game.

James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke scored for Tottenham, but an eighth league defeat this season leaves them languishing in 11th place as the pressure mounts on Postecoglou.

“If you want to discount the fact we’re missing a goalkeeper, two centre-backs and a left-back and that hasn’t coincided with how we’re doing… I don’t know what to say anymore,” Postecoglou said of his critics.

United boss Ruben Amorim, who once again left Marcus Rashford out of his squad, is set for a miserable Christmas following the worst result of his brief reign.

Languishing in 13th place, United have suffered four defeats in nine matches in all competitions since Amorim arrived from Sporting Lisbon in November to replace the sacked Erik ten Hag.

United’s second successive loss after their League Cup exit at Tottenham on Thursday underlined Amorim’s belief that their road back to the top will be long and arduous.

Man Utd ‘suffer’

United, who have conceded first in their last six games, were booed off at half-time, while the final whistle was greeted by more jeers from the few fans who stayed until the bitter end.

“This game was hard on us. We suffered again on set-pieces and we were a bit nervous. I felt it in the stadium,” Amorim said. 

“We have to suffer again but we will try to win.”

Amorim’s decision to play without Rashford for the third consecutive game will face fresh scrutiny after United’s wretched performance.

Again, United were exposed at set-pieces in the 29th minute when Bournemouth’s teenage defender Dean Huijsen punished poor marking at a free-kick to glance a header past goalkeeper Andre Onana.

There was even worse to come for Amorim in the second half as Justin Kluivert doubled fifth-placed Bournemouth’s advantage with a 61st minute penalty following Noussair Mazraoui’s foul on the forward.

Antoine Semenyo compounded United’s misery two minutes later with a cool finish from Dango Ouattara’s pass.

With Liverpool playing in Sunday’s late game, second-placed Chelsea would have gone top, for at least a few hours, if they had won at Everton.

But Enzo Maresca‘s side had to settle for a goalless stalemate that ended their five-match winning run in the league.

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira enjoyed a dream debut as his side won 3-0 at relegation rivals Leicester.

Replacing the sacked Gary O’Neil, Pereira made an immediate impact after leaving his role at Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab thanks to goals from Goncalo Guedes, Rodrigo Gomes and Matheus Cunha.

Third-bottom Wolves are within two points of fourth-bottom Leicester.

Bottom-of-the-table Southampton held on for a 0-0 draw at Fulham as new manager Ivan Juric watched from the stands before officially taking charge.