Premier League latest - live: Jurgen Klopp reveals Liverpool team news as Erik ten Hag reacts to takeover talk

It was around the turn of the year that the Raine Group, who are handling the sale of Manchester United, approached Qatari state investors over whether they would be interested in purchasing the club. Sources with knowledge of the discussions say the response was initially lukewarm, in part because they thought it was a “fishing expedition” and there was doubt about how much the Glazer family owners really want to sell. This is one of the questions that clouds this week, and could yet ensure that Friday isn’t as decisive a day in the history of England’s biggest club as has been built up.

Erik ten Hag and his players are following the ongoing takeover talk but the Manchester United manager says there is no chance of their focus wavering as they fight on four fronts.

The Glazer family completed their controversial leveraged takeover at Old Trafford in 2005, with initial success on the field drying up after Sir Alex Ferguson retired a decade ago.

November’s announcement that the Glazers were conducting a strategic review brought hope to frustrated supporters, with the sale of United one option being considered.

Friday has been described as the soft deadline for initial offers for United and comes in the midst of a frantic schedule, creating background noise that Ten Hag says will not distract the team.

Sean Dyche is hoping his Everton side will find the right balance in their crunch clash with fellow strugglers Leeds at Goodison Park on Saturday.

The Toffees go into the match in the bottom three, one place and one point below their managerless opponents, who are without a win in the Premier League since early November.

It will be Dyche’s third match in charge after a dream start with victory over Arsenal and a more sobering 2-0 defeat by Liverpool in the Merseyside derby on Monday.

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira wants his side to be more ruthless as they look to kick-start their Premier League campaign against in-form Brentford.

The Eagles head to west London without a win in their last seven games through all competitions.

After slipping to defeat at Manchester United, Palace were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton last weekend on what was another frustrating afternoon in front of goal at Selhurst Park.

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte is already eyeing a return to action despite being told to rest by doctors following his recent operation.

The 53-year-old is currently in Italy and will not be on the touchline for Sunday’s visit of West Ham after he encountered a setback following surgery to remove his gallbladder on February 1.

Conte was back at work eight days after his medical procedure and present for the defeats at Leicester and AC Milan but now faces a period away.

It means Cristian Stellini will again step up and take on first-team duties but he has already had his boss in his ear expressing a desire to return.

Following an eventful round of fixtures last time out, we’ve picked out five key players for consideration in your team who could score highly in Fantasy Premier League gameweek 24.

No double-gameweeks this time, meaning we must pay a little more attention to the fixture list.

A 35-year-old man has pleaded guilty to attacking Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale during the north London derby last month.

Joseph Watts appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court where he admitted kicking Ramsdale at the end of the match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 15 January, as well as throwing four coins on to the pitch.

Watts, of Dalston in Hackney, east London, appeared in person to confirm his name, age and address. He pleaded guilty to assault by beating, going on to an area adjacent to the playing area, and throwing a missile on to a football playing area.

Just over a month ago, the murmurings began. A 2-0 away win at north London rivals, Manchester City suffering a derby defeat the day before. Eight points the gap. They couldn’t, could they?

Skip forward to Wednesday night, as Erling Haaland fired home City’s third, and Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League was no more.

If a month feels a long time in today’s unrelenting footballing world, Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal squad will now appreciate that better than most.

There can be no period of reflection, no time to lick the wounds. Arteta must rouse his troops immediately. Just three days on from that crushing defeat lies Saturday’s tricky encounter away against Aston Villa, a team now managed by his predecessor Unai Emery.

With a bit less injury time at Anfield, Newcastle might still be the Tyneside Invincibles. As it is, their longest unbeaten run in the top flight has amounted to a remarkable response to unwanted late drama. Fabio Carvalho’s August winner for Liverpool came in the 98th minute and, 17 league games later, it is still the case that no one has beaten Newcastle; or no one except Sheffield Wednesday in an FA Cup tie anyway.

Include Carabao Cup encounters and Newcastle have played 27 matches against their Premier League peers this season and lost just one. Keep that run going for another 10 days and, barring defeat on penalties, they will end a 54-year wait for major silverware.

Potential bidders have until 10pm this evening to register interest in buying Manchester United after the Glazers put the club up for sale in November.

So far Sir Jim Ratcliffe is the only person to announce publically an intention to put in a bid but bids are expected from Qatari, Saudi and American groups.

For all the latest, you can follow along on our live blog below: