What are the chances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin doing a Mohamed Salah-style "thrown under the bus" interview after this game Daniel Farke's decision backfires?

Leeds United

Leeds boss Daniel Farke speaking to Sky Sports about the decision to start Dominic Calvert-Lewin on the bench: "I trust my whole group. If I don't use the whole group and we have a schedule like this, I would never do this. For a player like Dominic I have to look after him. We all know his recent couple of years was difficult. He is in red-hot form but it's important I look after him and sometimes the head needs to win over the heart."

On how his side will set up: "We are flexible, we are flexible during the game and several processes we can play. We are the underdog. We have to make sure we take strength of performances, surprise them as well. If you are the underdog you have to be more flexible."

On an unbeaten December: "We want to play this game without fear, but we are still respectful of Liverpool at Anfield. They are the big favourites and we need an outstanding day."

Liverpool

Liverpool boss Arne Slot speaking to Sky Sports: "We were very unfortunate to drop points against Leeds because they came back twice. It is a different game because we play at home, further into the season."

On what he expects: "They have had some good results recently, a lot of them actually. They have their threats and we have to be prepared for that."

On Liverpool's winning run: "If you are a Liverpool manager you want to win and it is expected of us to win. That doesn't matter if it's the start of the season, the beginning or the end. We want to continue this run as long as possible. Leeds are on a good run as well. We have to be at our best to have a chance of winning this game."

Crystal Palace are unchanged from the side that started the defeat to Tottenham, with the only change on the bench where Eddie Nketiah drops out and is replaced by Benjamin Casey.

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Lerma, Lacroix, Guehi, Clyne, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell, Devenny, Pino, Mateta.

Subs: Benamar, Benitez, Canvot, Drakes-Thomas, Esse, Casey, Rodney, Sosa, Uche.

Fulham boss Marco Silva names the same starting XI for the third match in a row.

Fulham XI: Leno, Tete, Andersen, Cuenca, Robinson, Lukic, Berge, Wilson, Smith Rowe, Kevin, Jimenez.

Subs: Cairney, Castagne, Diop, Kusi-Arare, Lecomte, Reed, Ridgeon, Amissah, Adama Traore.

A bold call from Daniel Farke to start with in-form striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin on the bench.

Thoughts?

Arne Slot makes three changes from Liverpool’s win over Wolves with Dominik Szoboszlai returning from suspension.

Andy Robertson comes in for Milos Kerkez while Conor Bradley starts at right-back, with Jeremie Frimpong on the right wing. Federico Chiesa drops to the bench.

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Jones, Frimpong, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Ekitike.

For Leeds, Daniel Farke makes four changes from their draw at Sunderland as Dominic Calvert-Lewin drops to the bench. Lukas Nmecha starts up top.

Leeds XI: Perri, Justin, Bornauw, Bijol, Struijk, Gudmundsson, Aaronson, Ampadu, Gruev, Stach, Okafor.

Just over an hour until we get going in the first two games of the day and team news is starting to drop.

Some big news in particular from Anfield...

Transfer talk is already in full swing and we're not even 24 hours into the January window.

With Brennan Johnson on the verge of swapping Tottenham for Crystal Palace, who do you want to see arrive at your club over the next few weeks?

Maybe just as important, who would you like to see leave?

Send us your thoughts via the 'Get Involved' tab at the top of this page.

Dion Dublin
Former Aston Villa and Man Utd striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

If they can get Brennan through the door it is a huge plus point for them. He will make a difference and make Palace better.

Finding goals in anyone is difficult. If you have goals in the room then you have to try to keep hold of them.

It looks like he is going to Palace – they’re buying goals - adding that to the goals that they have already, about 15 a season on average.

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

Brennan Johnson will meet Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner on today before making a final decision on whether to complete a £35m move from Tottenham.

BBC Sport understands the growing expectation is for the deal to be completed, but the talks will be pivotal towards the transfer's successful progression.

Palace have agreed the fee with Tottenham to sign the 24-year-old forward but are still waiting for the green light to conclude the deal.

Wales international Johnson's talks with Glasner will centre around the player's role in the team and the club's future and ambitions to ensure all parties are aligned.

If talks are successful, Johnson is expected to sign for Palace in the coming days.

Leeds boss Daniel Farke was under pressure after four successive defeats in November, but has silenced his critics after a prosperous December.

The Whites finished 2025 with an undefeated run of five games - winning two and drawing three - to climb up to 16th.

Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix believes Leeds "passed the test" after coming through a run of tough fixtures.

"There were loads of games that are all difficult on paper," Rix told BBC Radio Leeds sports editor Jonny Buchan on the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast. "Each time we have passed the test."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

If you're just catching up on the news that Enzo Maresca is no longer in the hotseat at Chelsea, then we have you covered.

Click here for all the fallout from that decision.

As is often the case with football, we're already on to thinking about who is next?

Send us your thoughts via the 'Get Involved' tab at the top of this page.

Image source, Getty Images

Any plans for a gentle start to 2026 have already gone to pot.

Chelsea have parted company with manager Enzo Maresca, the transfer window is open and we've got four Premier League games to bring you.

We've got a double header at 17:30 GMT with Liverpool hosting Leeds and Fulham travelling to Crystal Palace.

Then at 20:00 GMT, Tottenham head to Brentford and Sunderland welcome Manchester City.