Mohamed Salah Scores In Liverpool Return As Arsenal Keep Pressure On Leaders

Mohamed Salah returned with a goal as Premier League leaders Liverpool routed Brentford 4-1 despite a rash of injuries, while Arsenal demolished Burnley 5-0 to keep up the pressure in the title race on Saturday. 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.

While the victory was valuable for Klopp, it came with a downside as first half injuries to Nunez, Jota and Curtis Jones added to Liverpool's increasingly packed treatment room.

"Mo played the first game for weeks. He could have had a hat-trick. The goal he scored was absolutely outstanding," Klopp said.

"It would be helpful if we had a bit more than one player for each position. But that's the situation and we cannot change it."

At Turf Moor, second placed Arsenal made it five consecutive wins to move within two points of Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta's side have beaten Liverpool and won 6-0 at West Ham in their most notable results since a revitalising warm-weather training camp in Dubai.

And they were too hot for second bottom