Chelsea have completed the signing of Ukraine international Mykhaylo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk.

The 22-year-old has penned an eight-and-a-half year contract with the Blues, who have reportedly splashed out £89million (€100m) to beat London rivals Arsenal to the punch.

The Gunners' interest in Mudryk had been well documented throughout the season, with Mudryk publicly expressing his desire to join the club last year and dropping regular hints on social media throughout the transfer window.

However, after it was reported that Premier League leaders Arsenal were making progress towards their own deal, Chelsea owner Todd Boehly sanctioned a last-minute swoop to win the race for the winger.

Shakhtar confirmed on social media on Saturday that a deal with Chelsea was close. The post was shared on the Blues' official channels. 

The deal was officially announced by Chelsea on Sunday, with Mudryk in attendance at Stamford Bridge for the Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.

"I'm so happy to sign for Chelsea," Mudryk told his new club's official website.

"This is a huge club, in a fantastic league and it is a very attractive project for me at this stage of my career. I'm excited to meet my new team-mates and I'm looking forward to working and learning under Graham Potter and his staff."

Mudryk caught the eye in Shakhtar's Champions League campaign this season, scoring three goals and contributing two assists.

He becomes Chelsea's fifth signing of a busy transfer window, following on from the acquisitions of Benoit Badiashile, Andrey Santos, David Datro Fofana and Joao Felix, who joined on loan from Atletico Madrid until the end of the season.

Joao Felix initially impressed on his debut against Fulham only to see red for a lunge on Kenny Tete, with Graham Potter's side going on to lose for a seventh time in 10 games.

Potter was also dealt a further blow as Denis Zakaria went down with a quad injury, adding to Chelsea's long list of absentees.

The Blues boss will be hoping Mudryk can hit the ground running as Chelsea aim to arrest their poor form.

Over the last two Ukrainian Premier League seasons, Mudryk has played 23 times for Shakhtar, scoring nine goals and setting up a further 13.

Arsenal, meanwhile, will have to turn their attention to other targets as Mikel Arteta's side aim to keep up their title charge.

Chelsea have completed the signing of Ukraine international Mykhaylo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk.

The 22-year-old has penned an eight-and-a-half year contract with the Blues, who have reportedly splashed £89million (€100m) to beat London rivals Arsenal to the punch.

The Gunners' interest in Mudryk had been well documented throughout the season, with Mudryk publicly expressing his desire to join the club last year and dropping regular hints on social media throughout the transfer window.

However, after it was reported that Premier League leaders Arsenal were making progress towards their own deal, Todd Boehly sanctioned a last-minute swoop to win the race for the winger.

Shakhtar confirmed on social media on Saturday that a deal with Chelsea was close. The post was shared on the Blues' official channels. 

The deal was officially announces by Chelsea on Sunday, with Mudryk in attendance at Stamford Bridge for the Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.

"I'm so happy to sign for Chelsea," Mudryk told his new club's official website.

"This is a huge club, in a fantastic league and it is a very attractive project for me at this stage of my career. I'm excited to meet my new team-mates and I'm looking forward to working and learning under Graham Potter and his staff."

Mudryk caught the eye in Shakhtar's Champions League campaign this season, scoring three goals and contributing two assists.

He becomes Chelsea's fifth signing of a busy transfer window, following on from the acquisitions of Benoit Badiashile, Andrey Santos, David Datro Fofana and Joao Felix, who joined on loan from Atletico Madrid until the end of the season.

Joao Felix initially impressed on his debut against Fulham only to see red for a lunge on Kenny Tete, with Graham Potter's side going on to lose for a seventh time in 10 games.

Potter was also dealt a further blow as Denis Zakaria went down with a quad injury, adding to Chelsea's long list of absentees.

The Blues boss will be hoping Mudryk can hit the ground running as Chelsea aim to arrest their poor form.

Over the last two Ukrainian Premier League seasons, Mudryk has played 23 times for Shakhtar, scoring nine goals and setting up a further 13.

Arsenal, meanwhile, will have to turn their attention to other targets as Mikel Arteta's side aim to keep up their title charge.

Mykhaylo Mudryk has become the latest mega-money acquisition in the Premier League, completing a huge move to Chelsea.

The Blues saw off competition from London rivals Arsenal to complete a move for the Ukraine international, who becomes the most expensive Premier League signing this window.

Chelsea reportedly paid £88.5 million (€100m) to add the 22-year-old to their ranks.

Arriving from his homeland, Mudryk has excelled in the past 18 months for Shakhtar and his performances in the Champions League this season gave his profile a significant boost.

However, with inexperience in a strong domestic league, questions may be asked as to why Mudryk was signed ahead of other targets. 

With the help of Opta data, Stats Perform has assessed why Chelsea have gone all out for Mudryk.

The Antony benchmark

The fee paid for Mudryk's services was driven up by Manchester United's signing of Antony from Ajax last year, with Shakhtar's sporting director Carlo Nicolini telling Calcio Napoli 24 that this was the benchmark for a sale of Mudryk.

"Given that we have no need for transfers, we said in due time that we evaluate the player stronger than some other profiles, such as Antony. This is the benchmark," he said.

United splashed a reported £85m (€95m) to land the Brazil international and, while it can be argued that they overpaid, it is fair for Shakhtar to assess that they see Mudryk as a "stronger" profile than Antony.

Since the start of the 2021-22 season, Mudryk has contributed to a goal (by either scoring or assisting) every 70 minutes in the Ukrainian Premier League.

That compares favourably to Antony, who has recorded a goal contribution every 144 minutes in the Eredivisie and Premier League.

A tally of 22 direct goal contributions (nine goals and 13 assists) comes from just 23 appearances, 11 less than Antony, who has 12 goals and six assists.

Given the pair have featured in different leagues, a comparison in the Champions League is fairer, where Mudryk has three goals and two assists in 12 matches, while Antony has two goals and four assists in the same number of games.

Mudryk has played over 200 minutes less than Antony though, leading to an average of 139 minutes per direct goal contribution which ranks him ahead of the Brazilian, who averages 153 minutes.

Another attacking option, but is it the right move?

In the Premier League this season, Chelsea have scored just 21 goals in 18 matches, which stands as the lowest tally in the top 10 of the division.

The struggles in the final third have come due to a lack of a reliable option in attack, with Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling their joint top-scorers in the league with four goals each – and only three other players have scored more than once. 

This season, Mudryk has seven goals in the Ukrainian Premier League and has a minutes-per-goal or assist average of 65 minutes, showing that he can be the key to spark life into Graham Potter's attacking ranks.

An issue, however, is that Mudryk is not a central striker, an area where Chelsea are crying out for reinforcements, and the signing does beg questions as to what Todd Boehly's plan for the squad is – having spent an audacious amount since completing his takeover at Stamford Bridge next year.

While Mudryk can add goals to Chelsea's game, his contribution from the left may rely heavily on who is in the centre to tuck home the chances he created, though he can create a deadly partnership with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, should the former Arsenal man find his best form.

Chelsea are dealing with a long injury list, yet they have so many players who are forwards but not out-and-out strikers. Where will Mason Mount fit in? What about Havertz, or Sterling? Let's not forget Joao Felix, who only last week joined on loan from Atletico Madrid. He looked sharp on his debut against Fulham, before he then went and got sent off for a rash tackle.

Mudryk fits the profile of a high-quality young player that Chelsea are focusing on following Boehly's takeover, but he is another piece to a complicated puzzle that Potter has to solve at Stamford Bridge.

Manchester United defender Luke Shaw insists no one at the club is thinking about a Premier League title charge this season.

United continued their fine recent form on Saturday as goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford saw them come from behind to beat Manchester City 2-1 at the Old Trafford.

The result maintained a superb record since August 22, when victory over Liverpool gave them their first win of the season. They have amassed 38 points since, with no other team in the top flight having picked up more in that spell.

They are now just six points adrift of leaders Arsenal, who have a game in hand, but Shaw is adamant no one at Old Trafford is getting carried away.

"It's too early to think about that [winning the league]," Shaw said. "Right now as a team we have to make sure we have the right consistency in performances and results.

"It's always about winning. If you play well or not you need to be winning, and recently we've been doing that. We've not been playing our best but we've still been winning games.

"We're still in four competitions. We're Manchester United, we have to aim high, and of course we want to win all four but whether that happens or not is down to us, it's down to the way we act, the way we rest and get ready for the next game.

"Now we have to forget about this game, forget about this win. We have a massive game on Wednesday against Crystal Palace."

City were furious about United's equaliser as Fernandes curled home past Ederson after Rashford, who was in an offside position, ran onto the pass but did not touch the ball, with the initial offside decision being overruled by VAR. 

Shaw, who again played in central defence alongside Raphael Varane, can see why City players were unhappy, but believes it was the right decision to give the goal.

He added: "Of course, you can understand where they are coming from – if I'm on the other team we're all doing the same – but I think Rashy was clever to know that Bruno was there and leave the ball. For me it was a goal."

Premier League leaders Arsenal appear destined to miss out on their long-term target Mykhaylo Mudryk.

The Gunners had reportedly made several bids for the Shakhtar Donetsk winger, but he now seems set to join Chelsea after they began talks on a fee with the Ukrainian club.

As a result, Arsenal will need to turn their attention elsewhere during the January transfer window to bolster their squad.

TOP STORY – GUNNERS SWITCH ATTENTION TO BARCELONA'S RAPHINHA

Arsenal have turned to Barcelona's Brazilian winger Raphinha having missed out on Mudryk, claims Sportitalia.

The former Leeds United winger only joined Barcelona in July on a five-year contract, but has made only 12 starts from 22 overall appearances for the Blaugrana.

The Gunners hope that Raphinha would be a suitable candidate to return to England, given his previous Premier League experience.

ROUND-UP

– Fabrizio Romano claims Mykhaylo Mudryk will be at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea's game with Crystal Palace on Sunday after medical tests, having signed pre-contracts on a move to the Blues from Shakhtar Donetsk, warding off Arsenal's interest.

– Chelsea have also lodged a €30million (£26.5m) offer for PSV winger Noni Madueke, according to ESPN. The 20-year-old England youth international moved to the Eredivisie from Tottenham in 2018.

– Crystal Palace are set to launch a new bid to sign Conor Gallagher from Chelsea, claims The Sun on Sunday. Gallagher enjoyed a bright loan spell at Selhurst Park last season and has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

– Memphis Depay will exit Barcelona in January, according to Fabrizio Romano. Talks are ongoing with Atletico Madrid, whom the Dutchman is open to joining.

– Tottenham are readying a £20m (€22.5m) move for Bayer Leverkusen's Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapie, reports The Sun on Sunday.

– Football Insider has suggested that Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita will leave the club on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of this season.

Everton manager Frank Lampard says the club's tense off-field situation had no impact on him and his players in Saturday's 2-1 home loss to Southampton where they let a first-half lead slip.

The defeat worsened the Toffees' relegation concerns, having won only once in their past eight games, leaving them 19th ahead of only Southampton on goal difference. Everton's last league victory was on October 22.

That situation has created a tense environment, with Everton's board of directors opting not to attend Saturday's fixture due to a "real and credible threat to their safety and security".

Disgruntled Everton fans staged a 'sit-in' protest after the game against how the club has been run.

"I'm completely focused on what we're doing on the pitch," Lampard told BBC. "The off-field noise is there but the things we can control as staff and players is on the pitch - and today we got beaten.

"It's a difficult period. There is so much passion at this club for the right reasons, everyone wants the best for the club.

"Of course, over the years we've come in a direction where we were in a relegation battle last year and again this year."

Everton had taken the lead in the 39th minute from Amadou Onana, but the Saints responded with James Ward-Prowse equalizing shortly after half-time, before netting a trademark free-kick for the winner in the 78th minute.

"It's obviously difficult and disappointing, especially when you go 1-0 up," Lampard said. "It's a tough game, there's a lot of tension for both teams I think.

"We deserved to be 1-0 in the first half with the passion in our game. It wasn't a tactical game, it was more of a fighting game.

"We showed spirit and then an early goal in the second half changes the tone of the game. We came back, created some things, we hit the bar but then, typically at the moment, we concede a free-kick and it goes in our net.

"Obviously, it's disappointing. It was a big game for us and we lost."

Mikel Arteta is making memories at Arsenal he says he will never forget as he saluted the Gunners' "incredible dressing room" ahead of the North London derby against Tottenham.

Following a blistering start to the season, in which they have won 14 of their first 17 games, Arteta's side can move eight points clear at the Premier League summit with victory over their bitter rivals on Sunday.

Arteta endured a testing start to life at Emirates Stadium, but the pendulum has certainly swung in his favour this term, and he is enjoying himself now.

"It's just an incredible dressing room. It's just a joy to work with [the players] every single day," said Arteta, who won the Premier League's Manager of the Month award for December.

"Some of the things that we've done together, I'll probably never be able to do them with any other team or with any other group.

"Especially on match days and the things that we do together, that will stay in my brain for the rest of my life."

The maturity of this young Arsenal team has particularly impressed Arteta, who has noted the way his relationship with the players has changed this season.

"[The players] are certainly more mature," he said. "I think the demands have changed as well and my role and what they, in my opinion, need from me is different as well.

"And that's why we always have to be evolving and trying to be ahead of what is coming, to give to the players and the rest of the staff what is going to make everything click to be more efficient and to win more games."

On the pitch, that has translated not only to better results but also better performances.

Arteta said of the changes at Arsenal: "We win more games, which is the most important thing and the thing that changes everything, and I think we play better.

"We deserve to win in the games that we have won, and probably that's the most relevant thing."

Georginio Rutter was thrilled to get his dream move to Leeds United as the Premier League club brought in the striker from Hoffenheim on a club-record deal.

Leeds confirmed the 20-year-old French player has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract at Elland Road, committing to the end of the 2027-28 season.

Former Rennes forward Rutter spent two years at Hoffenheim, who signed him as a hot prospect and have now cashed in on a player who scored 11 goals in 57 Bundesliga games.

The France Under-21 international could make his debut against Brentford next weekend, Leeds said.

His signing shows the club's support for American coach Jesse Marsch, who has also been able to bring in Max Wober from his former club Salzburg during this transfer window.

Leeds are precariously placed in the Premier League, sitting 14th in the 20-team division after 18 games but just two points ahead of bottom-placed Southampton.

Neither club has announced the fee involved, but it is widely reported the deal could eventually cost Leeds around £35million.

As well as posting a goodbye note to Hoffenheim, Rutter wrote on Instagram: "Happy to join @leedsunited, I am excited to play in such a great club."

Hoffenheim director of football Alexander Rosen explained the rationale for the sale, saying on the club's website: "Transfers like Georginio Rutter's to TSG Hoffenheim are only possible because of transfers like Georginio Rutter's to Leeds United."

Rosen said Hoffenheim "regret" choosing to sell but added: "In light of the third-highest transfer fee in the club's history, as well as the clearly communicated desire to move, it would not have made sense to block a young player like Georgi from the path he is pursuing. I'm sure I'm not the only one who will miss him."

Marcus Rashford hit the winner and played a part – some might say – in Manchester United's first goal as the Red Devils beat City in Saturday's derby.

The in-form England international moved into early-career Cristiano Ronaldo territory by scoring in a seventh consecutive game for United, who have won nine in a row across all competitions.

Elsewhere in the Premier League, Liverpool's campaign continued to unravel as they were battered 3-0 at Brighton and Hove Albion, and their neighbours Everton remain in deep relegation trouble after a home loss to fellow strugglers Southampton.

Another derby saw Nottingham Forest get the better of Leicester City, with Steve Cooper's team beginning to get a foothold in mid-table.

With the help of Opta data, Stats Perform examines key statistics from the Saturday's standout Premier League games.

Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City: Making his Marc again

Rashford has been a shining light for United since returning from the World Cup, scoring in all seven games for Erik ten Hag's team.

He is the first United player since Ronaldo in March-April 2008 to put together such a streak, while his run of goals in nine consecutive games at Old Trafford makes him the club's first player since Teddy Sheringham in September-November 2000 to enjoy that level of home form.

Bruno Fernandes got the equaliser, after an opener from City's Jack Grealish, with Rashford not flagged offside in the build-up after chasing the ball but not getting a touch prior to his Portuguese team-mate lashing past Ederson.

Rashford's close-range winner soon after, in the 82nd minute, was set up by Alejandro Garnacho, who at 18 years and 197 days became the youngest player to provide an assist in a Premier League Manchester derby.

City had just one shot on target, their joint-fewest in a Premier League match under Pep Guardiola.

Kevin De Bruyne set up Grealish's headed opener, reaching double figures in Premier League assists for a fifth season, with only Cesc Fabregas (6) doing so in more campaigns, but that was of no consolation as City saw their title hopes dented.

Brighton and Hove Albion 3-0 Liverpool: Worth the wait for Seagulls

Jurgen Klopp's reaction summed it up, when he said: "I think everybody with a Brighton shirt on or a Brighton heart enjoyed the game a lot and I don't think anybody with a Liverpool heart enjoyed it for a second."

This was a horror show for the Reds, suffering their first league defeat at Brighton since January 1961 (3-1). Liverpool had gone 10 unbeaten away to the Seagulls in the league before Solly March's double and Danny Welbeck's sublime goal left them reeling.

Liverpool have suffered six defeats now in 18 games in the competition this term, three times as many losses as they incurred in the entire 2021-22 Premier League campaign. It was a fifth league loss away from Anfield, their worst season total since also losing five in 2017-18. This season is not yet at its halfway point for Liverpool, who sit ninth.

This game kicked off at 3pm locally. It was the first Saturday 3pm league game Liverpool have lost since going down 2-0 to Hull in February 2017, ending a 32-game undefeated streak in that slot.

March has four goals in his last four games, which is as many as he managed in his first 156 in the Premier League.

Everton 1-2 Southampton: Ward-Prowse piles on misery for Lampard

Sitting second-bottom now, Everton are having a dismal time of it under Frank Lampard's leadership, losing four league games in a row at home for the first time since a seven-game streak in 1958. They are winless in seven in the league, their worst run since an eight-game sequence under Rafael Benitez in October-December 2021.

Amadou Onana put the hosts ahead, becoming the fourth Belgian player to score for Everton in the Premier League, after Romelu Lukaku, Kevin Mirallas and Marouane Fellaini.

But Saints captain James Ward-Prowse then took over, netting twice including the 16th direct free-kick goal of his Premier League career, putting him just two behind David Beckham's competition record.

It was his 12th such goal in away games, more than any player has managed in the Premier League, and only Matt Le Tissier (44) has managed more away goals in the Premier League era for Southampton than Ward-Prowse's haul of 28.

Nottingham Forest 2-0 Leicester City: Johnson's derby delight

Brennan Johnson hit both goals in the East Midlands showdown, doubling his Premier League tally for the season and becoming the second-youngest Forest player to score twice in a Premier League game (21y 236d). Roy Keane, who struck a double against Leeds in December 1992 (21y 117d), remains the youngest.

Morgan Gibbs-White, at 22 years and 352 days, became the youngest to have two assists in a Premier League game for Forest.

Leicester are free-falling, with this a fourth consecutive league defeat. Remarkably, it is not yet their worst run of the campaign, having lost six in a row in August and September.

They have yet to win a point this season from a losing position, the only Premier League team to fail on that count.

Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji described the decision to not disallow Manchester United's first goal in Saturday's derby as a "joke".

Jack Grealish had seemingly set City en route to three points with his second-half opener, but Bruno Fernandes levelled in contentious fashion before Marcus Rashford clinched a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford.

City were furious with United's leveller because Rashford, who was offside, approached the ball but allowed Fernandes to take the shot.

The flag was initially raised to signal offside against Rashford, but referee Stuart Attwell overturned the decision having spoken to his assistant Darren Cann.

The fact Rashford opted against touching the ball and that he technically did not impede Akanji meant the England forward was not deemed to be interfering with play, therefore the goal counted.

Attwell's decision caused a stir on social media, with former professionals among those questioning the outcome, and Akanji is adamant it was the incorrect call.

"For me, the first goal is a joke that it's going to be allowed like this," he told the BBC.

"In that situation, I see Rashford is clearly offside, so I play him offside. He runs really to the last second and he stops when the ball is in front of him.

"He's right in front of Edi [Ederson] to score the goal and then he stops because Bruno is calling him from behind that he [Fernandes] is not in an offside position.

"I understand that he doesn't touch the ball, but he runs for like 30 metres, he's chasing the ball and then he stops. For me, it's clearly offside."

Defeat for City leaves them just a point above United and gives Arsenal the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points if they beat Tottenham in Sunday's north London derby.

Shakhtar Donetsk have confirmed an agreement with Chelsea for Mykhaylo Mudryk is "very close".

The Blues are widely reported to have seen an £88.5million (€100m) bid accepted by the Ukrainian side for the winger, seemingly leapfrogging London rivals Arsenal to the front of the queue.

Mikel Arteta's side were said to have made progress towards a deal of their own in recent days but have been left in the lurch following Chelsea's move.

In a statement, Shakhtar said: "Shakhtar president Rinat Akhmetov and Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali discussed Mykhaylo Mudryk's transfer to Chelsea today.

"Parties are very close to agreeing on the player's transfer to the club."

Mudryk previously expressed a desire to move to Arsenal and has dropped several hints on social media this month, with the Premier League leaders thought to be his preferred destination.

However, that prospect may now be off the table unless the Gunners up their offer, with Chelsea firmly leading the chase.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson assessed that "everything went wrong" for the Reds in the 3-0 Premier League defeat to Brighton.

Jurgen Klopp's side suffered a sixth top-flight defeat of the season as Danny Welbeck added to Solly March's brace to seal a memorable win for the Seagulls at the Amex Stadium.

The Reds have now started a calendar year with two league defeats in a row for the first time since 1993, while they have also lost as many as five away league matches in a single season for the first time since the 2017-18 campaign.

They could end the weekend 10 points adrift of the top four and Henderson wants to see a reaction from his team-mates in their next few games. 

"Everything went wrong from the start to the end," he said. "Brighton were better than us in all departments. It's a real low point as a team. We have to stay together.

"It's a tough moment but we need to get together, stay together and try and change things quickly. We have to try and learn and show a reaction.

"There wasn't one thing. It was numerous things and it hasn't been right for a little while now. Everybody knows that. We know we can be better.

"I'll take responsibility and the lads will. We have to try to put it right."

Asked if it was Liverpool's worst performance under the management of Klopp, Henderson said: "Probably. I can't remember another one. A really tough day.

"We're pretty low on confidence. The energy level is low. Everything. We can't feel sorry for ourselves. We have to keep fighting and hopefully we can change it sooner rather than later.

"We know we can play better and give even more. But you have to keep working."

Liverpool have an FA Cup third-round replay against Wolves on Tuesday, before a Premier League clash with Chelsea on Saturday.

Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United are "closing the gap slightly" on Manchester City following their dramatic derby win, but feels the gulf between the clubs is "still huge".

United came from behind to take the derby spoils after a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford, where Jack Grealish's header was cancelled out by a quickfire double from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.

Erik ten Hag's side closed the gap on their second-placed neighbours to a single point, where they are now just six behind leaders Arsenal.

Ferdinand, who won six Premier League titles and the Champions League with United, believes his former club still have a long way to go before matching their rivals, however.

"They're closing the gap slightly, but there's still a major way to go," Ferdinand said in his role as a BT Sport pundit. "I think the gulf between the clubs is still huge.

"Don't let this result take that away or let things become unrealistic. Man United have still got a way to go, but they're on the right road now. I felt something in this ground today that I haven't felt for a very long time.

"There was a belief, there was a connection between the players on the pitch and the fans again, because there's a committed team out there who are willing to fight, who won't fold under pressure, who won't fold when there's a bad spell in the game.

"That can only be good for the future of this team. The manager has to have huge compliments right now because he's building a team that are up for the fight."

Meanwhile, Paul Scholes – an 11-time Premier League winner at Old Trafford – feels United demonstrated their title credentials, but he knows the most important stage of the season is still to come.

"We've learned that United can beat a big team when the pressure is on, when they needed to," he said. "You asked before if they're in the title race – I think you have to say they are.

"If they keep people fit, they're one point behind City now. City, to me, are still the favourites, they're still the best team in this league. It's okay winning games now, but it's March, April time when it's so hard to win those games.

"Arsenal are doing really well, they look a really good team. Injuries could affect them, and they're inexperienced. They've got a manager who hasn't won a league title, players who haven't won trophies really.

"There are 20, 21 games to go. There's so far to go – this could change by February."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp could not remember a worse performance than in his side's 3-0 thumping by Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday.

Solly March scored twice early in the second half before Danny Welbeck added a fine third as the Seagulls beat Liverpool at home for the first time since 1961.

The Reds, who could be 10 points adrift of the top four after Sunday's games, were second-best throughout and have now started a calendar year with two league defeats in a row for the first time since 1993.

They have also lost as many as five away league matches in a single season for the first time since the 2017-18 campaign.

But this might have been the worst of the lot, with Liverpool leaky at the back and profligate in attack, giving up 16 shots and failing to net with any of their six. Brighton controlled the ball with a huge 61.9 per cent of the possession.

"Bad, really bad," Klopp told BBC Sport afterwards. "I can't remember a worse game. It's not difficult maybe. Brighton were the better team, it was well deserved. They played really well.

"It was a very organised team against a not very organised team. We gave the ball away, the spaces were too big, and we couldn't push up. That is obviously not good, especially against a super well drilled side like Brighton.

"They got more confident, and we did the opposite. I can imagine they are very happy because it was a great performance, and we made it too easy in too many moments.

"I had an idea to change the formation, which was to try to help the team. That was the idea, but we never did it properly. We were always a bit in between, and that's the worst thing you can do.

"We could have done better, but we didn't and that's why I looked the way it did.

"We need to be creative with the options we have. What I saw today from my team was that they were not really convinced by it. That's it."

Asked if he was concerned by his side's display, Klopp said: "Yes, how can you not be after a game like this? I cannot stand here and say it didn't happen.

"Of course, we have to be very concerned about it."

In a separate interview, he added: "Doing better should be easy, because this is a really low point. I can't remember a worse game.

"To improve that will be not too difficult. From this game, we can pick up absolutely nothing apart from things that do not work."

Pep Guardiola appeared to suggest Manchester City "cannot win" the Premier League title this season, but he later explained his focus was simply on the team's performances for now.

City remain five points behind leaders Arsenal following a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in a dramatic derby on Saturday.

That loss followed City's EFL Cup elimination against Southampton in midweek, after which Guardiola outlined a need for his team to "recover who you are".

"The last thing I'm worried about is titles, these kind of things," he said ahead of facing United, and Guardiola seemingly accepted defeat in City's pursuit of Arsenal after the match.

"I don't care about the Premier League and the Carabao Cup," he told BT Sport. "We cannot win. We won a lot, so it's not a problem."

But the Catalan coach was asked about these comments in his news conference and recognised he does still care about the Premier League title.

"Come on, of course I care who wins the Premier League," he replied. "But right now, after Southampton, if we don't win, we don't win.

"We're not going to win the next 25 years everything. We fight, because we saw today we're going to fight and play to win, but sometimes football is like that. You don't win.

"The manager, Erik [ten Hag], or the people say how good [United] are, and they deserve it, of course. Everyone has his point of view.

"We want to try, but number one is behaving in this way. Afterwards, sometimes it happens, sometimes not. What I know is all the time what we have to do is be better and better and better to win in this league.

"We lost the Carabao Cup three days ago; we lost it. But it's not about losing the Carabao Cup, it's the way we lose the game. This is why I was sad, really, really sad."

Arsenal will move eight points clear of the champions if they beat Tottenham on Sunday, while United are now just a point behind their rivals in third.