Salah scores in Liverpool return as Arsenal keep pressure on leaders

Mohamed Salah returned in style with a goal in Liverpool’s 4-1 rout of Brentford as the Premier League leaders survived a rash of injuries to step up their title charge yesterday.

Salah came off the bench to replace the injured Diogo Jota in his first Liverpool appearance since their win over Newcastle on New Year’s Day.

Having returned from the hamstring injury he sustained on Egypt duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, Salah made up for lost time with his first goal for the Reds since the Newcastle game.

The 31-year-old’s 19th goal in all competitions this term put Liverpool on course for a sixth win in their last seven league games.

The much-maligned Darwin Nunez had given Jurgen Klopp’s side the lead with a sublime chip late in the first half at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Alexis Mac Allister doubled Liverpool’s advantage after the interval with just his second goal this season.

Ivan Toney got one back for Brentford, but Cody Gakpo netted in the closing stages as Liverpool moved five points clear at the top.

Similarly, Bukayo Saka scored twice as Arsenal continued their blistering goalscoring form to thrash Burnley 5-0 and close the gap at the top of the Premier League to two points.

Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest climbed five points clear of the Premier League relegation zone and added to the pressure on West Ham United manager David Moyes with a deserved 2-0 victory at the City Ground just as Joao Gomes scored twice as Wolves gained an excellent 2-1 win at Tottenham - a result that saw Spurs drop out of the top four in the Premier League.

In the last game of the day, Chelsea held on to secure a point at Manchester City. Raheem Sterling had scored against his old side before Rodri levelled to share the points.