Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp joked Friday that he is not wishing Mohamed Salah too much luck at the Africa Cup of Nations as he prepares for a crucial spell of games without his top scorer.

Champions Manchester City are ominously poised to strike in the new year despite a dip in form from last season's treble winners, while Arsenal, Aston Villa and Tottenham are also in the mix.

"We should not be really surprised that Mo can change a game, can improve in the game, because he did it hundreds of times," Klopp told reporters.

All six goals at Anfield arrived in the second half as Salah opened the floodgates with a simple tap in for his 150th Premier League goal for the Reds.

This was an essential victory for Liverpool's title ambitions.

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said he was unhappy with the home support during their 5-1 League Cup win over West Ham United and urged fans to give their tickets away if they are not in the "right shape" for the visit of Arsenal at the weekend.

Curtis Jones scored twice and Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah were also on the scoresheet for Jurgen Klopp's dominant team, who were trophyless last season.

Liverpool's massive 7-0 victory over Manchester United at Anfield last season was a once-in-a-lifetime result that will not be repeated but Sunday's derby promises to be a 'special' game, manager Juergen Klopp said.

A youthful Liverpool side lost 2-1 at Union Saint-Gilloise in their final Europa League group game on Thursday, while Villarreal snatched a place in the last 16 from Rennes with a dramatic victory in France.

Mohamed Salah admitted his 200th Liverpool goal was a "great feeling" as the Egypt star urged his side to do "something special" in the Premier League title race.

Salah's 14th goal this term made him the fifth player to score 200 goals for Liverpool in all competitions

Jurgen Klopp said he is happy with the progress of his rebuilt Liverpool team as they bid to go top of the Premier League at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Jurgen Klopp blasted an "ignorant" television presenter for making a joke about Liverpool's next game after Wednesday's 2-0 win at Sheffield United being on a Saturday lunchtime.

Elsewhere, Scott McTominay scored twice as Manchester United beat Chelsea 2-1 and Fulham hammered Nottingham Forest 5-0, heaping the pressure on manager Steve Cooper

 Liverpool scored two late goals a minute apart including Trent Alexander-Arnold's winner in the 88th minute in their breathless 4-3 victory over Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes Anfield is a "nightmare" for visiting teams as the Reds have turned their home into a fortress once more.

Liverpool are set to be without goalkeeper Alisson Becker and forward Diogo Jota for a spell after both picked up injuries during a 1-1 draw at Manchester City, manager Jurgen Klopp said on Wednesday.

Liverpool will become the latest team to attempt to storm Manchester City's Etihad fortress this weekend as Everton focus on Premier League survival following a punishing points deduction for breaching financial rules.

Dominant City have won the title in five of the past six seasons, with Liverpool the only team to break that run in 2020.

Toulouse now sit on seven points, two behind the Premier League club and three ahead of third-placed St Gilloise in Group E