Liverpool

Image source, Getty Images

Football Finance expert Kieran Maguire says Everton fans should be "glad they dodged 777 Partners" as future owners "as it would have been a disaster".

The US-based consortium - unable to complete a take over deal earlier this year - has collapsed.

And despite putting in a £200m loan to Everton, that money will not have to be paid back any sooner than the date pre-agreed.

"It is still a legal contract between 777 and Everton football club," Maguire told BBC Radio Merseyside. "That will have a stated repayment date.

"If you take a look at the small print of this contract then it is what we call a junior loan. Everton have got a few loans outstanding from other lenders, so before 777 can be paid, the more senior lenders have to be paid by the club.

"It goes in steps so it is not going to be an issue.

"The chances are that someone is going to buy that loan off the equivalent of administrators or those administrators will have to manage the loan themselves. But there is nothing for Everton to worry about.

"All Evertonians will just be increasingly glad they dodged 777 as it would have been a disaster."

Listen to Maguire on BBC Radio Merseyside

Mike Richards
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

So often deemed the pantomime villain in this fixture, it felt incredibly sweet when Jordan Pickford left the Goodison Park pitch the hero on Saturday night.

There are the usual inflatable dinosaurs splattered across the away end, accompanied by Newcastle fans regularly voicing their dislike for the Everton and England number one. In years gone by, Pickford would be the first to admit he played up to such scenes.

Given a bitter rivalry born from his years supporting and playing for Sunderland, he simply failed to compartmentalise his job and apparent need to bite back.

Thankfully, those days are behind him.

The script couldn’t have been written any better on Saturday night.

If Newcastle are going to miss a penalty, all Evertonians would want it to be Anthony Gordon taking it and Pickford the man to deny him. It being in front of a raucous Gwladys Street made it all the sweeter.

Everton's official X (Twitter) account has subsequently been vilified for apparently ‘mocking’ the miss on social media, with Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher leading the backlash.

It’s incredible how much the famous Family Fortunes ‘wrong’ buzzer can evoke such a reaction.

Those present at Goodison Park will be well aware the same comedic sound effect was used during a half time fan game when they failed to hit the bar.

The penalty taker was almost irrelevant. The save deserved to be celebrated. Isn’t this what football is all about?

It really wasn’t that deep.

In a world that seems to growing more serious by the day, light-hearted comedy shouldn’t be frowned upon or made out to be some kind of targeted psychological attack.

There is a line that shouldn’t be crossed. This line certainly wasn’t.

There is room in the world for laughter.

Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

For any other club, losing Alisson would be a massive blow. After all, he is probably the best goalkeeper on the planet.

But in Caoimhin Kelleher, Liverpool have arguably the world's most impressive back-up stopper - and the Irishman will not let anyone down now that Alisson looks set for an extended spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.

It almost felt unfair of Liverpool to keep Kelleher in the summer. He is 25 years old and obviously deserving of a starting spot in a Premier League side.

I would argue he has been better than the keepers starting at Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea. Maybe only Arsenal and Manchester City have keepers who would start ahead of him of all the sides in the top flight.

So while Alisson's injury is a blow, it doesn't fill me with worry.

It also makes the deal Liverpool completed to sign Giorgi Mamardashvili in the summer make more sense.

The Georgian was an expensive signing, but a pretty unexciting one - given he went on loan to Valencia for the year and because he plays in Alisson's position.

Most Reds would prefer Alisson stays between the sticks for the next five seasons, but his abnormal ability to pick up so many injuries as a keeper means we need an elite deputy.

Kelleher has fulfilled that role but he won't do it forever. He is too good.

Mamardashvili hopefully is too, but perhaps will be happy to learn from Alisson for one season before taking the reins full-time in 2026-27.

Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop, external

Image source, Getty Images

Jarell Quansah believes "Liverpool is the best place" to win trophies, after the defender signed a new long-term contract at the club.

Speaking to the club's official website, external the 21-year-old said: "It is the best club in the world for me to develop at and become a better player. The players around me, who I'm looking to work hard off and listen to, they're the best in the position at the minute. So, there is probably no better place I could be."

Quansah joined the club at the age of five, and after over 15 years at the club, he believes the future is bright: "We're building, definitely, a winning environment, like we saw last year when we were able to lift a trophy.

"There are a lot of players here who have still got a bit of unfinished business left, who definitely want to win titles.

"That's ultimately what I want to do as well. I want to be known as a champion, I want to be a winner, and I think Liverpool is the best place for me at this moment."

Quansah has made two appearances for the Reds' this season, and started in Liverpool's first Premier League game of the season. However, since the opening day he has only appeared in the Carabao Cup.

Speaking about his ambitions, he said: "I want to win trophies. That's what Liverpool as a club demands. From the academy days, that's all you want to do. You want to win at all costs. The greatest honour you can have as a player is to call yourself a champion.

"I want to be able to say I've won a Premier League, I've won a Champions League. I do think we've got the quality to do that and I don't see why we can’t push for that."

Do you think this is smart business, Liverpool fans? What would you like to see from Quansah? Have your say here, external

Image source, Getty Images

Everton boss Sean Dyche says the noise around the club's takeover by The Friedkin Group is "just a reality of the job" and he knows no more than the fans about how long it will take to complete.

"I've said it all along," Dyche told BBC Sport. "The powers that be might know more than me, and that's right because it's a business. It's not just a football business that I take care of on the pitch, it's the whole business. So they're going to have to wait and see.

"'The noise is just a reality of the job. It's a great club, with great history and great concern.

"We have to just to keep growing, keep maturing, keep building on some tough times and keep coming out of those tough times."

Former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given has "concerns" about Caoimhin Kelleher's future at Liverpool, with head coach Arne Slot stating that Alisson is still his number one and the club already signing Giorgi Mamardashvili for next season.

Kelleher is set to feature in the short term for the Reds with Alisson looking likely to be sidelined by an injury picked up in the win at Crystal Palace but the 25-year-old's long-term Anfield prospects remain uncertain.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Given said: "The summer was the best time for Caoimhin to move on and show everyone he is good enough.

"He is number one for Ireland at the minute and we need him to be playing regularly in the Premier League, because I think that is the level he is at.

"He is going to be back in the team now for sure - I think Alisson will be out for a few weeks - so he has got an opportunity again.

"But, at the same time, Caoimhin is 26 years old in November. He isn't getting any younger.

"Each game that goes by where he doesn't play, he will never get back.

"He has only got one career, one life and one opportunity at being a top goalkeeper."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

A VAR related question was put to chief football writer Phil McNulty on Monday's Q&A.

@nubiblue on 'X' asked: Is the new improved VAR working? To me it continues to favour certain clubs.

Phil answered: First of all, I don't believe VAR favours certain clubs and quite honestly, I've not noticed too much difference or huge improvement.

Maybe a little less interference but I confess I lost a lot of faith in VAR after initially being a strong advocate.

I would be happy with semi-automated offside and line technology.

Liverpool are interested in 25-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt and Egypt striker Omar Marmoush. Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa also wanted to sign him in the summer. (Sky Germany - in German), external

West Ham will price 24-year-old winger Mohammed Kudus out of a move away from the club next summer, despite interest from Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Image source, BBC Sport

A Liverpool related question was put to chief footballer writer Phil McNulty in Monday's Q&A.

Chris asked: Aston Villa fans constantly sing that goalkeeper Emi Martinez is “the world’s number one”. Do you reckon he is?

Phil answered: Here’s a loaded question. Simple answer – no I don’t. I think Martinez is an outstanding goalkeeper and who can argue with Villa fans believing he is the best given his form for them and the fact he was vital to Argentina winning the World Cup in Qatar in 2022?

Going back even further, I still remember his brilliant performance when Arsenal beat Chelsea to win the FA Cup in 2020. I was actually surprised they sold him to Villa. In my opinion, Liverpool’s Alisson Becker is “the world’s number one”. He has been so vital to Liverpool’s success and a game-changer since his arrival in 2018. He is remarkably consistent, relatively understated – although he would wish to avoid the injuries that have troubled him in the last couple of seasons. I think Martinez is a superb keeper, but I would place Alisson Becker ahead of him. Just.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Everton and Newcastle.

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Greg: A gutsy performance if not much more, and would probably have taken a point seeing the team selection. Midfield needs a shake up as neither Mangala or Doucoure are capable of controlling a game, however we all know he wont change it. Nice to see Pickford taking control of his six yard box a bit more. A very commanding display.

Dixie: A good defensive display. Pickford loves these games and did well. Makeshift back four or five depending how you look at it did well against a good attacking side. Dyche made the right substitutions at the right time. Well earned but deserved point. Clean sheet a bonus.

Yozza: Makeshift defence against a makeshift attack. We knew we were up against it against a strong midfield but I just don’t get the Calvert-Lewin penalty. If Burn was playing the ball then fine but he wasn’t. He was blocking Dom's kicking arc as well as coming in from the back. Should have stood. Good point though.

Steve: Plenty of effort but lacking creativity at the top end of pitch and at times looked open in the midfield. Great save from Pickford to deny Gordon who quite clearly was affected by the crowd.

Newcastle fans

Paul: Defensively better but we didn’t convert our possession into goals. Gordon played well but missed a pen and a very easy chance. Only a point is disappointing. There’s no excuse for us not having adequate cover for Isak and Wilson as we spent very little in the past two transfer windows. Our transfer policy needs sorting out.

Andy: Against a combative Everton side it was always a tough ask of Gordon to keep playing the central striker role even with his pace. We are strongest in midfield rotation, surely Howe could use Joelinton as a hybrid forward when needed. A draw was a fair result, but had we won Everton could of had no complaints. Cohesive team performance with no end product.

Jon: Signs of continued progress from the City game - energetic, more fluid in midfield through Tonali, Joelinton and Bruno, and the press gave Everton trouble. But we lacked any real edge in the final third, and still look vulnerable on the counter. Poor summer transfer window - we're a forward and a defender short of competing where we want to.

Alex: Newcastle lack any sort of creativity from midfield. Not one player from the midfield three is able to take the game by the scruff and win the game themselves. Too much reliance on Isak/Gordon. Howe needs to figure out a way to get goals from midfield.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Crystal Palace and Liverpool.

Here are some of your comments:

Palace fans

Trevor: For the second game in a row we were denied an obvious penalty (is VAR becoming just an enhanced offside checker?) That aside, I thought we did enough to have got at least a point. Chalobah had a decent debut. Lacroix is improving every game. We keep giving the ball away and had several great opportunities to score. Frustrating but room for optimism.

Moggy: Liverpool were nothing special and we couldn't take advantage of that. Should have equalised at least. Hughes was great when he came on. Agree that Glasner still hasn't decided on his best XI.

Gavin: So frustrating. Woeful in the first half, losing duels and so many passes going astray. Better second half, but Eze guilty of missing our best chance, which could have gained us a point. Better selections, but Nketiah too deep to have an effective impact. Basics need to be better for us to compete and to secure victories in the Premier League.

Gilly: Tough start to the season for Palace but there are glimmers of hope. But confidence and fire in the belly seems lacking. There are new combinations and players getting used to each other. Given time, I believe it can come right but the longer the lack of goals and wins goes on the more the confidence and belief drops. Hard times. Character needed.

Liverpool fans

Kev: Hard-fought win and made harder by not scoring more, especially in the first half. Overall we probably deserved it and it's very pleasing to go into the international break top of the league.

Stuart: Lucky not to concede again and that luck will run out sooner or later. Will Salah play every minute of every game? We need him fresh and firing at the end of the season. He should be subbed for his and our own good.

Vardon: A win is a win, but it was far less comfortable at times than it should have been. The injuries overshadow the result. We're going into a very difficult run of fixtures without our first-choice goalkeeper and Mac Allister is pivotal to our midfield. This will test our mettle and hamper our chances of winning the Premier League.

Simon: We should have been out of sight by half-time. Tried to pass the ball into the net rather than shooting on sight. Over-confidence and complacency set in and we allowed Palace into the game. A better team would have punished us. Was glad to hear the final whistle.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool "are the dark hose contenders" for the title, says former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker.

"Everyone is still talking about Manchester City and Arsenal," he added on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "Liverpool are going about their business quietly.

"My biggest worry would be injuries from international duty as they look to be a great side as things stand."

Reo-Coker's injury worries are backed up by ex-Reds keeper David James, who also believes the games following the break could cost them points unless Arne Slot can crack the team management.

"My fear for Liverpool is the post-international break matches," said James. "We saw what happened after the last one when they produced their worst performance of the season so far against Nottingham Forest.

"Slot and his team need to work out how they are going to get the team right after an international break. If they are to play big sides after each break then it will not be good."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds