Three talking points from the Premier League weekend
Mohamed Salah may be away for the coming weeks yet he remains firmly in the thoughts of many, as Manchester City display clear indications of reaching peak performance in the Premier League.
The team managed by Pep Guardiola sits two points adrift of table toppers Arsenal, following victories for each club over the weekend that differed markedly in approach.
Aston Villa, led by Unai Emery, hold third position, trailing the leaders by a mere three points after securing their tenth triumph in eleven outings.
AFP Sport examines three key discussion topics emerging from the recent matches:
Uncertainties surrounding Salah
Interpreting the ongoing situation with Salah proves challenging, especially after his return as a substitute during the first half of Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Brighton on Saturday.
The 33 year old Egyptian striker recently criticised the struggling Premier League title holders for placing him under undue pressure, following his exclusion from the starting lineup in the 3-3 stalemate against Leeds, marking the third consecutive game he did not begin.
He missed out on Liverpool's squad for the midweek trip to Inter Milan, making his re inclusion against Brighton an unexpected development.
Post match, head coach Arne Slot insisted there were no problems left to address with the player, who provided the corner from which Hugo Ekitike nodded in his second strike.
However, Salah has offered no public apology, and it appears improbable that the matter has concluded, particularly as the forward now departs for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Ex Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes the issue remains unsettled.
He remarked that the immediate calming of tensions caught many off guard, yet upon reflection it aligns with priorities, given the clubs greater significance and the upcoming pause in activity.
Arsenal: The fortune of title contenders?
Arsenal narrowly prevailed against relegation threatened Wolves on Saturday, clinching a 2-1 success thanks to a pair of own goals.
Despite controlling the ball, the Gunners managed only two efforts on goal in a blunt performance that irked boss Mikel Arteta.
He commented that they anticipated a tough encounter, but their actions rendered it unnecessarily arduous, particularly the way they allowed the concession, which he deemed intolerable.
The north Londoners continue as frontrunners to claim their first Premier League crown in two decades, though failing to secure points at Wolves amid Manchester City's resurgence would have proved catastrophic.
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown described the fortunate Gunners as returning to form.
To TNT Sports, he noted that championship aspirations demand a measure of luck, observing that every victorious side he has known benefited from it at times, allowing Arsenal a moment to relax.
He further emphasised the encounters critical nature.
I believe the entire championship hinges on this result, given the surrounding buzz and intense emotions.
City reveal their resolve
Pep Guardiola's heated exchange with Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner from the touchline at Selhurst Park highlighted his irritation as his squad laboured to overcome the inventive hosts.
Manchester City held the advantage courtesy of a headed effort from prolific scorer Erling Haaland, but Glasner's clever strategies posed significant challenges for the ambitious visitors.
Luckily for Guardiola, the substantial squad reinforcements implemented by City since January hint at a rejuvenation for a group that suffered an unexpected 1-0 loss in their prior clash with Palace during the FA Cup final last May.
On Sunday, City had to summon inner strength to repel Palace, exhibiting the determination and grit absent when they lost the league crown to Liverpool in the prior campaign.
Phil Foden netted a vital second before Haaland converted from the spot late on, sealing a 3-0 outcome and marking four consecutive Premier League successes.
The demanding festive schedule ahead will test this revitalised resilience in City.