Premier League Saturday preview: Salah back in Liverpool squad as Chelsea and Arsenal face selection headaches

The Egyptian King returns after peace talks with Slot while injuries and suspensions hit clubs across the Premier League ahead of matchday 16

By "Big" Barry O'ConnorPublished Dec 13, 2025, 8:00 AMUpdated Dec 13, 2025, 8:00 AM

© Nathan Wong

What a Friday this has been. The Premier League never sleeps, and the news has been flying in thick and fast ahead of Saturday's four-match bonanza.

Let Barry break down everything you need to know before a ball is kicked.

The big news: Salah is back

Stop the press. Mohamed Salah is back in the Liverpool squad for tomorrow's clash with Brighton.

After days of drama, explosive interviews, and a midweek exile for the Inter Milan match, the Egyptian King held showdown talks with Arne Slot on Friday morning. The outcome? Peace - for now, at least.

Sky Sports are calling it a ceasefire rather than a permanent resolution. Salah will be in the squad, but whether he starts or sits on the bench remains to be seen. What we do know is this will be his last Liverpool appearance before he jets off to the Africa Cup of Nations on December 15.

The question hanging over Anfield is simple: is this goodbye, or just au revoir?

Liverpool also have injury concerns. Cody Gakpo and Wataru Endo are both out, while Alexander Isak is doubtful after picking up a knock against Inter. Federico Chiesa is back in training and available.

Chelsea welcome back Palmer for Everton test

Good news for the Blues - Cole Palmer is available after being rested for the Champions League defeat at Atalanta. Wesley Fofana has also been cleared to play despite taking a boot to the eye in midweek.

Enzo Maresca is still without Moises Caicedo, who serves the final game of his three-match suspension. Liam Delap remains sidelined with a shoulder injury for another two to four weeks, and Romeo Lavia, Levi Colwill, and Dario Essugo are all still in the treatment room.

The subplot here is Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall returning to face his former club. The midfielder has been sensational for Everton since his summer move - three goals in his last four games. He will have a point to prove at Stamford Bridge.

Everton get Idrissa Gueye and Tim Iroegbunam back from suspension. The Toffees have won their last two away games without conceding. David Moyes has never won at Stamford Bridge in 20 Premier League attempts. Something has to give.

Arsenal's walking wounded face rock-bottom Wolves

Mikel Arteta was his usual cryptic self in Friday's press conference, but the picture is not pretty for the Gunners.

William Saliba did not train yesterday and remains a major doubt. Jurrien Timber is nursing a knock from the Villa defeat. Declan Rice has been ill and his availability depends on how he recovers today. Leandro Trossard is also uncertain with a calf problem.

Add in the confirmed absences - Gabriel, Cristhian Mosquera, Kai Havertz, and a suspended Riccardo Calafiori - and Arsenal could be fielding a patchwork side against the worst team in the league.

The one bit of positive news? Gabriel Jesus is back after nearly a year out with a serious knee injury. He could feature from the bench.

Wolves, meanwhile, remain a disaster zone. Two points from 45 possible. Nine straight defeats. No wins all season. Gary O'Neil was sacked weeks ago and nothing has changed. This should still be a comfortable Arsenal win, but with so many players missing, Arteta will be nervously counting bodies.

Burnley's suspension nightmare for Fulham six-pointer

As we reported earlier, Burnley go into their must-win relegation clash without THREE players through suspension. Kyle Walker, Lucas Pires, and Hannibal Mejbri are all banned.

The injury list is equally grim - Zeki Amdouni, Connor Roberts, Jordan Beyer, and Bashir Humphreys are all unavailable. Axel Tuanzebe is a doubt.

Scott Parker will be scrambling to put together a competitive eleven for a match Burnley simply cannot afford to lose. They are 19th with just 10 points.

Fulham have their own concerns. Antonee Robinson is doubtful with a knee problem - a huge blow if he misses out. Rodrigo Muniz and Ryan Sessegnon are both out with thigh injuries.

Saturday's schedule

15:00 UTC

Chelsea vs Everton - Stamford Bridge

Liverpool vs Brighton - Anfield

17:30 UTC

Burnley vs Fulham - Turf Moor

20:00 UTC

Arsenal vs Wolves - Emirates Stadium

Barry's predictions

Chelsea 2-1 Everton

Liverpool 2-0 Brighton

Burnley 1-1 Fulham

Arsenal 3-0 Wolves

It is going to be a massive day of football. The title race, the relegation battle, and the biggest individual storyline of the season all collide on Saturday.

Get the snacks in. This is going to be box office.

Category: News
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"Big" Barry O'Connor

Barry has been covering English football for 30 years. He is an outspoken character ("loudmouth") who has his ins at the pubs where the supporters go. He isn't afraid to call for a manager's sacking after just two losses. His style is direct, populist, and sometimes brutal. He loves puns in headlines and focuses on conflicts, wages, and dressing room drama.