Liverpool

Liverpool's Jeremie Frimpong, speaking to Sky Sports: "Frustrating - we wanted to win the game. They defended well. At the end of the day, 0-0 very frustrating, but onto the next game.

"They defended really well. Obviously we tried, but we didn't try hard enough. We had a couple, I had a couple I think I should have delivered the ball better.

"Training, recover, we know what we can do. We have created a lot of chances. We need to go into the next game and do what we need to do but better.

"We know what we should do, we know the movements and we know the patterns."

Leeds United

Leeds United's James Justin, speaking to Sky Sports: "A good battle and they're a great side.

"They've not been their best this season, but you know what quality they have. Today, we did a good job collectively, so a pat on the back for us.

"There was a lot of emphasis going on a few days before the game, trying out different shapes with different players.

"Luckily, today, we chose the right tactic and a pat on the back for the management staff."

Shamoon Hafez
Football news reporter at the Stadium of Light

BBC Weather is saying it's 2C up here in chilly Sunderland, but it feels like -5C - leaving the portable heater at home was a mistake.

The two sets of players are going through their warm-ups and they'll need to go through a vigorous workout to get the blood pumping.

Sunderland are unbeaten on their own turf this season but host a Manchester City that are starting to go on one of those winning runs which we have seen so many times over the years.

Will the Black Cats maintain their impressive run or will the City slickers march on?

Paul Birch
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland went through the first half of their home league games unbeaten for only the third time in the Premier League and they are one of only two sides, along with Arsenal, yet to lose at home. They have managed to score in all nine of those games as well.

They have already bloodied Arsenal's nose with a memorable 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light, so can they now put a dent in Manchester City's title hopes?

But Regis le Bris' team have only won two of their past nine games, a return of 28 points from 18 matches.

One thing Le Bris will want more of from his side is goals, having only netted three in their past five. Six of their past seven top-flight goals at the Stadium of Light have come from set-plays, including penalties.

Brentford

Brentford manager Keith Andrews speaking to Sky Sports on Jordan Henderson starting: "Time of year, Mathias Jensen had a bit of a bug and just didn't need to force it. We have got really good competition for places.

On Brentford's form so far: "The mindset, the mentality to improve and stick together, show people what we are made of. The home form is testament to developing the team. The players have been immense and I think the fans have enjoyed what they have seen in the main at home.

On improving against Spurs: "You need to have a good mentality going into games. Us as a group are constantly evolving. The togetherness is huge amongst the group and hopefully we can show that tonight.

On the reaction former Brentford manager Thomas Frank can expect: "I hope it is a really good one because Thomas deserves that, he has played such a huge part in the club's recent history for numerous years, really good guy. He was a friend and I'm pretty certain he will get a good response."

"Naturally he knows a lot of the players and [there are] some new additions that he won't know so well. Hopefully we can get one over on him tonight."

Ellen White
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

It's just baffling to me why you would sell a goalscorer. He was their top goalscorer last year, who have you got in that Spurs squad at the moment who will score that amount of goals and at that consistency?

He obviously doesn't feel loved. There looks to be some friction with the manager, doesn't want to fit him in the system. I don't blame him for wanting to go and play football. Go there, enjoy it and potentially score a lot of goals.

Image source, Getty Images

When Thomas Frank left Brentford for Tottenham in the summer, and was replaced by a relative rookie, not many would have anticipated that the Bees would be above Spurs in the table on New Year's Day.

Keith Andrews' Bees sit in ninth, one point above Spurs in 13th.

"It's a special day for Thomas, his fingerprints are all over the football club and what was achieved and rightly so because he played such a big part in it," said Andrews.

"The close proximity of the two games means it is a nice opportunity for us to see familiar faces again, but more importantly, perform better, I would suggest.

"It'll be nice to see them, but I am looking forward to the game."

Spurs beat Brentford 2-0 at home on 6 December.

Statman Dave
Fantasy 606's football analyst and FPL expert on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

If you look at Johnson, what he has done at Spurs is score goals. It is weird that he has not been a part of this team this season, because at the start when they were playing well, pressing high and being aggressive, he was scoring goals. He has a different profile to a lot of their players. He's just a goalscorer.

No Brennan Johnson in the Spurs squad with him on the verge of a £35m move to Crystal Palace.

Interesting one, thoughts Spurs fans?

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank speaking to Sky Sports on making three changes: "[Cristian] Romero is back, our captain so he goes straight in. Joao Palhinha is in, Lucas Bergvall has a small abductor issue and then Wilson Odobert looked really lively against Crystal Palace.

"Bergvall is a small injury but he just couldn't make it for this one.

On Brennan Johnson not being in the squad when he is linked with a move to Crystal Palace: "There are a lot of rumours out there. I only focus about the game."

On returning to Brentford: "Special, I don't think I have thought so much about a game and coming back to a place. It's a special club, special people, nine years here, seven years as a head coach, and it is very special to come back. When the whistle goes it is business and fight for three points and then it is special again."

On Brentford's home form: "They are really aware of who they are and what they are. At home they feel brave and trust in everything and the fans are doing a good job as well."

On four players being on four yellow cards in the starting XI: "We need to play to win, be smart, don't get a stupid yellow."

Image source, Getty Images

Thomas Frank returns to Brentford for the first time since leaving the club for Tottenham in the summer.

The Dane said it is "special" and "cannot be business as usual".

"I'm actually happy that I have those emotions because that means it meant something to me," he said.

"The nine years I spent at Brentford, the fans, and especially the people that I work closely with, have a special place in my heart."

He added: "There's one job to do. I'm head coach for this fantastic club.

"I'm working night and day to do everything I can to improve the team and the club, and there's one aim - I want to win the football match. And then it's special to come back."

Manchester City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola speaking to Sky Sports: "Tough place and it means that anyone could win here. Hopefully we can perform.

On Nathan Ake and Savinho starting: "Josko [Gvardiol] had a few niggles, an incredible run of playing every three days and Savinho has speed and is fresh.

On Sunderland's home form: "The set pieces, long balls, second balls, [Granit] Xhaka is involved in the process. It is not just long balls and second balls but they have a good side.

Paul Birch
BBC Sport

Manchester City look to cut the gap on Arsenal at the top of the table with a tricky trip to face a Sunderland side unbeaten at home.

City have won their first league game in a remarkable 18 of the past 19 years, including the past 13 in a row. Interestingly, though, the last time they did not take three points was a 1-0 loss to Sunderland on New Year's Day in 2012.

They have scored in 32 consecutive league games in the month of January dating back to 2017. It is the longest such run in top-flight history, while across the whole of the Football League only Crewe Alexandra between 1960 and 1972 have had a longer streak with 36.

Pep Guardiola's men made it eight wins from eight in all competitions in December. After such a poor 2024-25 and a shaky start to this season, their mojo has come flooding back and they have won 13 of their past 15 games in all competitions.

There might have been boos at Anfield at full time but a point still means Liverpool are into the top four.

Two more games to go this evening so we'll bring you build-up to those plus reaction to the two early matches.

• Sunderland v Manchester City
• Brentford v Tottenham Hotspur

That's it!

Crystal Palace hold on to end their losing run, but Fulham will feel they should have extended their winning streak given the chance Anderson had right at the death.

This was far from a classic, yet there was plenty of excitement at the end of each half.

From a neutral perspective, a draw feels fair. Let's see if the managers and players agree.

Image source, Getty Images

Sam Parkin
Former Luton Town forward on Sky Sports

It sets up perfectly for Anderson to surely finish against his former club. He misses by a distance.

What a miss!

Former Crystal Palace man Joachim Andersen should win it for Fulham with practically the final kick of the game, but he hooks over the crossbar after the ball was flicked onto him. Wow.

Boos ring out at Anfield as the whistle goes.

Liverpool look dejected as Leeds celebrate a point at the defending champions.

Image source, Getty Images

Jean-Philippe Mateta heads a dangerous delivery clear but Fulham have another corner.