Premier League Roundup: Salah Shines, Manchester United and City Struggle

Mohamed Salah's stunning display helped Liverpool thrash Tottenham, while Manchester United and City continued to struggle in the Premier League.

Here are three key talking points from the Premier League, where Mohamed Salah's outstanding performance stole the show. Salah delivered a breathtaking display as Liverpool thrashed Tottenham, reinforcing his importance to the Reds.

Ruben Amorim faced a harsh reality check regarding the enormity of the task ahead of him in revitalizing Manchester United. The Red Devils' struggles continued, serving as a stark reminder of the work Amorim needs to undertake to restore the team to its former glory.

Meanwhile, Manchester City's woes intensified, plunging the team deeper into crisis. With their title ambitions hanging in the balance, City must regroup and find a solution to their recent slump if they hope to salvage their season.

Mohamed Salah's contract negotiations with Liverpool have become a highly publicized affair, and the Egyptian superstar's dazzling display in the 6-3 triumph over Tottenham on Sunday has only strengthened his case. Salah's impressive performance, which included two goals and two assists, has further endeared him to the Liverpool faithful, making it increasingly clear that allowing him to leave would be a deeply unpopular decision among fans.

Salah's outstanding showing at Tottenham propelled Liverpool four points clear at the top of the Premier League table. The 32-year-old continues to break records, becoming the first Premier League player to reach double digits in both goals and assists before Christmas. Additionally, his brace against Tottenham elevated him to fourth place on Liverpool's all-time scoring list, with an impressive 229 goals in all competitions.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim took full responsibility for his team's dismal 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth at Old Trafford. The loss marked a stark contrast to their thrilling comeback victory over Manchester City just a week prior. Amorim's side was booed off the pitch following a lackluster performance, which has left them struggling in 13th place.

The defeat means Manchester United will spend Christmas in the bottom half of the table for the first time since 1989. This loss was Amorim's fourth in nine games across all competitions since he replaced the sacked Erik ten Hag. Once again, set-pieces proved to be United's Achilles' heel, as Dean Huijsen scored with a first-half header from a free-kick, sparking the team's collapse. “Without conceding nothing to the opponent and then one set-piece makes us more nervous, all the stadium,” Amorim said, highlighting the team's vulnerability on set-pieces.

Amorim conceded that everything is “so hard” for his troubled club, acknowledging the significant challenges they face. As the team prepares for the remainder of the season, Amorim will be tasked with finding solutions to their ongoing struggles and guiding Manchester United back up the table.

“I felt it since the first minute, there's a lot of anxiety. That's normal because of the context and it's really disappointing.”

Ruben Amorim is well aware that Manchester United's defensive struggles are a major concern, and he acknowledges that the team is going through a “difficult moment.” As they prepare for their Boxing Day clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Amorim knows that finding a solution to their leaky defense is paramount.

In a poignant moment, Amorim's press conference was interrupted by a fitting metaphor for his team's defensive woes - a leak from the media room ceiling. As he was emphasizing his responsibility as a coach, saying “it's my responsibility to coach the players,” the sudden leak served as a timely reminder of the challenges he faces in shoring up United's defense.

Manchester City defender Rico Lewis issued a rallying cry to his teammates, emphasizing the importance of unity amidst the team's current crisis. Following their 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park, Lewis urged his side to “stick together” as they navigate this challenging period.

The loss to Aston Villa marked Manchester City's sixth Premier League defeat of the season, and their ninth in the last 12 matches across all competitions. This alarming slump has left the reigning champions reeling, and they will need to regroup and find a way to arrest their decline if they hope to salvage their season.

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City have experienced a drastic decline in form, already losing twice as many league games this season as they did throughout the entirety of the previous campaign, when they secured a fourth consecutive title. A key factor contributing to their struggles is their defensive vulnerability, having managed only one clean sheet in their last 10 games across all competitions.