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Opening Thoughts

Hello and welcome on this Sunday day. This is your comprehensive football live center, centering on today's major football action. England's top division presents fascinating matches featuring Brighton & West Ham as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a crucial Scottish encounter between Celtic and Hearts, alongside WSL action plus FA Cup second round excitement rounds out the lineup. As always get in touch telling us how you'll be following the action. Here we go.

Major Stories from Saturday

Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the headlines even though he did not play in the Reds' thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an astonishing attack on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of tossing him “to the wolves” following omission from the first eleven for the third straight match. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the team's disappointing start to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another significant Premier League development saw Arsenal's injury-time loss at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. That result, combined with Manchester City's comfortable win over Sunderland, has left a incredibly close battle at the top of the table.

Outside English leagues, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for Inter Miami as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton welcome West Ham in a afternoon start. The visitors have shown flickers of life since the appointment of head coach Nuno. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having defeated three opponents without conceding in their latest away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup second round delivered plenty of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by reaching the next round for the first time in their history.

Additional standout outcomes featured:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge defeated Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Sixth tier Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham Town before eventually suffering a 6-2 loss.

Sunday's FA Cup schedule features:

• Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT kickoff)
• Boreham Wood v Newport County
• Gateshead v Walsall
• Blackpool v Carlisle United

Developing Mini-Leagues

There seems to be three separate mini-leagues developing in this season's Premier League.

1. Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently vying for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the European places. Can any put together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to stay up probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the Premier League and domestic cup, today's fixtures feature:

Women's Top Flight: (All 12pm GMT unless stated)

• Leicester City v Manchester City
• London City Lionesses v Brighton & Hove Albion
• Manchester United v West Ham United
• Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa
• Chelsea v Everton (2.30pm GMT)

Around the Continent:

• Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
• Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)

Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star

The fallout from the Liverpool forward's comments rages on. There are two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide club icon? Or is manager Arne Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?

Views from supporters appears divided:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. This is no way to treat a club legend.”

“Perhaps we should take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he seek a loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

Two Championship matches were abandoned yesterday.

• The game between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a fan was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the fan died in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the field unsuitable.

At this time, there is no word yet on when these matches will be rescheduled.