Liverpool face Man Utd title test as top four race heats up

In a gripping title race, Arsenal and Manchester City will hope for a Liverpool stumble, while the top four battle and relegation survival fight are also heating up. 'AFP Sport' looks at three talking points ahead of this weekend's action:

With memories of their painful FA Cup quarter-final defeat at Manchester United still fresh for Alex Mac Allister and his Liverpool team-mates, it would have been no surprise if the Argentine midfielder had branded their return to Old Trafford as a revenge mission. Jurgen Klopp's side twice blew the lead in a 4-3 defeat that was clinched by Amad Diallo in the final seconds of extra-time.

The end of Liverpool's quadruple bid stung the Merseysiders but they can make amends by defeating Erik ten Hag's men as they bid to move level with United's record 20 top-flight titles. Mac Allister, whose thunderous strike put Liverpool on course for their 3-1 win over Sheffield United on Thursday, insisted avenging their FA Cup loss was not the primary motivation with so much already at stake.

"I don't know if it's revenge but for sure it will be an important game for us because if we want to win something we have to win every game and that's the aim," said Mac Allister, whose team are two points clear of second-placed Arsenal with eight games left. Arsenal head to Brighton aiming to keep the pressure on Liverpool, while third-placed City - three points behind the leaders - travel to Crystal Palace.

Tottenham are not the "finished article" according to boss Ange Postecoglou as his top four hopefuls face a vital weekend in the race to qualify for the Champions League. Postecoglou's side were held to frustrating 1-1 draw at West Ham on Tuesday but Aston Villa's 4-1 defeat at Manchester City 24 hours later