Liverpool aim to keep injury-hit Arsenal at bay

Liverpool remain firm favourites in the Premier League title race, but Arsenal have been given a glimmer of hope after Everton frustrated the leaders in midweek.

Tottenham face Manchester United in a battle between two struggling sides, while time is running out for the clubs at the bottom, who remain dangerously adrift.

Liverpool look to steady nerves after Everton setback

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice declared earlier this week that "big things are coming," just before Liverpool dropped two points at Goodison Park.

James Tarkowski's late equaliser denied Arne Slot's side a win, but they still extended their lead over Arsenal to seven points. With Wolves visiting Anfield on 16 February, Liverpool will expect to get back on track, but the coming weeks could be decisive as they aim to match Manchester United's record of 20 top-flight titles.

A trip to Aston Villa follows on 19 February, before crucial fixtures against Manchester City and Newcastle. However, according to Opta's supercomputer, Liverpool remain overwhelming favourites, with nearly a 90 percent chance of winning the title.

Pressure mounts on Postecoglou

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou insists he is not worried about losing his job, but another defeat against Manchester United on 18 February could push him closer to the exit.

Spurs have endured a miserable season, crashing out of both the League Cup and FA Cup in the space of four days. A humiliating 4-0 defeat to Liverpool in the League Cup semi-final second leg was followed by a lacklustre 2-1 loss at Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round.

Now 14th in the table, Tottenham desperately need a win against a United side that has also struggled. A defeat could prove disastrous for Postecoglou, who remains defiant.

"I'm just going to keep on working like I have," he said. "You've got to get on with it. It doesn't change the decisions I make."

Havertz injury adds to Arsenal's woes

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had hoped a warm-weather training camp would refresh his squad for the final stretch of the season. Instead, he has been hit with a major setback as Kai Havertz is ruled out for the rest of the campaign with a hamstring injury requiring surgery.

The German forward has had his critics, but Arteta had placed his trust in him, especially with options already limited.

Bukayo Saka has been sidelined since December, while Gabriel Jesus suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury last month. Gabriel Martinelli is also out, leaving Arsenal with only Leandro Trossard, the out-of-form Raheem Sterling, and teenager Ethan Nwaneri for their trip to struggling Leicester on 15 February.