Liverpool's depth in their squad and resilience were on display this weekend as they secured an emphatic win over Bournemouth, further solidifying their position at the top of the Premier League table. With this victory, Liverpool now sits five points clear of Arsenal, Manchester City, and Aston Villa, although City still has a game in hand.

Despite City's recent win over Newcastle, questions arise about their ability to maintain their dominance and secure their sixth title in seven seasons. Vulnerabilities in their performance throughout the season leave them open to challenges from other teams, particularly Liverpool.

The absence of Mohamed Salah due to a hamstring injury sustained at the Africa Cup of Nations has not hindered Liverpool's performance. This weekend marked their third game without Salah, and they showcased their ability to rotate players and compensate for the absence of their key star. In the FA Cup, they defeated Arsenal, followed by a victory over Fulham in the Carabao Cup, and then a commanding win against Bournemouth, scoring a total of eight goals, with seven of them coming from their other forwards.

Moreover, Liverpool has been able to distribute game time among their squad members more effectively compared to Arsenal. Arsenal's top three outfield players have accumulated more minutes on the field than Liverpool's counterparts. This indicates that Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool's manager, trusts his squad and shows a willingness to make changes to the lineup, even in the absence of key players. This flexibility bodes well for Liverpool and suggests they will cope better with the demands of the season.

While Liverpool remains in four competitions, Arsenal only has the Premier League and the Champions League to focus on. Klopp will need to utilize his squad to the fullest in order to navigate the potential 31 additional games. However, Liverpool's solid performance thus far gives confidence that they can handle the challenges ahead.

In other news, Nottingham Forest has written a letter to the Premier League and refereeing head Howard Webb, seeking an explanation for the failure to prevent Ivan Toney from moving the ball and the foam during a Brentford free kick. Toney went on to score from that free kick, frustrating Forest. However, the incident itself, though officiating error, holds a humorous element to it.

Additionally, the recent chaotic moments in the Sheffield United vs West Ham match provided entertainment for neutrals. With multiple red cards, penalties, and a bizarre sequence of events during the stoppage time, the match epitomized the unpredictability and excitement of football.

As football gluttons continue to enjoy an array of international games, including AFCON and the Asian Cup, the upcoming week promises thrilling matches and high stakes. On the domestic front, the Carabao Cup semi-finals between Middlesbrough and Chelsea, as well as Fulham and Liverpool, add to the excitement of the week's fixtures. Furthermore, the Women's Champions League resumes with Chelsea hosting Real Madrid, which will be available to watch for free, courtesy of DAZN lifting the paywall for women's games.

Lastly, the men's FA Cup enters its fourth round, starting with Bournemouth hosting Swansea on Thursday, followed by four games on Friday, including a highly anticipated clash between Tottenham and Manchester City.