The summer saw Arsenal heavily linked with signing either a new striker or midfielder, with Mikel Merino added to the squad from Real Sociedad in a deal worth up to €37.5million (£31.2million).

Since Arne Slot arrived at the club, Liverpool have been firing on almost all cylinders.They now sit eight points clear at the top of the Premier League and atop the Champions League table, with

Manchester City have joined Arsenal and Liverpool in the transfer race to sign €60m Spain star Martin Zubimendi in January, according to reports. Zubimendi looked set to join Liverpool when they agreed to meet the midfielder’s €60m (£51m) release clause in the summer – but he rejected their advances – and instead signed a new contract at Real Sociedad.

Didi Hamann has ruled one club out of the Premier League title race as Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea look to reel in Liverpool. Liverpool have opened up a commanding eight-point gap at the top of the table after winning 10 of their first 12 league games under new boss Arne Slot.

The new format was supposed to lead to more exciting matches and qualification going down to the wire. And that will be the case for most teams, but Liverpool are making something of a mockery of the plan to entice viewers in to the bitter end of the league phase.