Manchester United dropped more valuable points as they drew 1-1 at home to Leicester on Saturday, slipping further off the pace in the battle to secure Champions League football for next season.
Manchester City kept their cool under pressure on Saturday, cruising past Burnley 2-0 after Liverpool briefly replaced the long-time Premier League leaders at the top of the table.
Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold missed England's friendlies with a hamstring injury but manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that he should be fit for the clashes against Manchester City and Benfica.
Ralf Rangnick said he finds it hard to understand why Manchester United defender Harry Maguire was booed by England fans before this week's friendly against Ivory Coast.
Pep Guardiola has revealed Portugal defender Ruben Dias will miss Manchester City's vital matches against Atletico Madrid and Liverpool.
Germany and Spain will clash at this year's World Cup after Friday's draw in Doha placed the two former winners in the same group, while geopolitical rivals the United States and Iran were also drawn together.
Bruno Fernandes extended his contract at Manchester United till 2026 on Friday in a deal expected to make the Portuguese midfielder one of the club's highest earners.
Liverpool and Manchester United will meet in a high-profile friendly in Bangkok in July, the clubs said on Thursday, as Premier League teams resume lucrative pre-season tours which stopped when Covid hit.
Real Madrid's trip to Celta Vigo might once have been seen as a chance to rest and reset but the Clasico capitulation has raised the stakes ahead of next week's Champions League first leg against Chelsea.
Liverpool and Manchester City resume their quest for historic trophy hauls on Saturday at the start of a season-defining month for both Premier League title contenders.