FA Cup third-round talking points: Newcastle in must-win Tyne-Wear derby as Kevin De Bruyne returns for Man City
Everton visit Crystal Palace on Thursday in the first of the weekend's FA Cup third-round fixtures. Sky Sports' football writers look at the key talking points...
Arsenal vs Liverpool - Sunday, 4.30pm
Liverpool's FA Cup third-round tie at Arsenal on Sunday will be the first time manager Jurgen Klopp is unable to select Mohamed Salah in his starting lineup this season now that the forward has joined up with Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Salah's absence for the rest of January "damages" the Reds, according to Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, and while the player is irreplaceable, Klopp can use the clash at the Emirates to try out who he believes is best suited to fill in for the Premier League's joint top scorer on the righthand side of their attack.
Do not be surprised then to see Harvey Elliott handed the job, a role he has already taken on when coming off the bench to replace Salah at times this season, while the versatile forward is also comfortable operating on that side of the pitch - unlike fellow forwards Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo, who all either prefer to play on the left of a front three, or through the middle.
And with two top-flight goals and an assist to his name so far this campaign, including a recent late winner at Crystal Palace, the 20-year-old has the confidence to take on one of the hardest jobs in world football - replacing Salah.
Richard Morgan
Arsenal will play Liverpool three times in a little over a month but this second instalment of the series may be the one where Mikel Arteta makes his team selections based on the bigger picture. A win would be a timely morale-boost but recovery may well be the primary focus.
The defeat at Fulham last weekend was well below par and no
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