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Simon Mignolet has told the Liverpool Echo that Liverpool have the squad depth to win the Premier League title.

The Belgian was involved in the Reds’ last title chase, in 2013-14, as the Reds came agonisingly close to winning the league, only to capitulate at the last, allowing Manchester City to become champions.

What’s the word?

Liverpool are currently four points clear of City at the top of the Premier League table, with 15 games still to play.

However, Mignolet has been in this position before, seeing Brendan Rodgers’ side dramatically fail to clinch the title, despite building a seemingly unassailable lead at the top of the table.

The Belgium international, though, says that there is more quality running throughout the entirety of the squad this time around, and believes they have the numbers to weather all but the most serious injury crisis.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, he said: “So much has changed over the past five years here.

FFC’s James Jones has identified the one thing that could cost Liverpool the title. Find out what it is in the video below…

“It’s only Hendo (Jordan Henderson), Studge (Daniel Sturridge) and myself still here from the last time we really fought for the title.

“Back then a lot of it was about Luis Suarez and Studge, whereas now the goals are shared about more. We had a really good team in 2013/14 but the moment we got one or two injuries it became difficult.

“We’ve got a broad squad now which means we can cope with injuries. That’s probably the biggest difference with last time.”

The Reds face Leicester City on Wednesday before a weekend meeting with West Ham United.

Depth is key

In 2013-14, Liverpool were all too reliant on the mercurial talents of Luis Suarez.

The Uruguayan scored 31 goals and provided 17 assists in the top flight, as per Transfermarkt, in what was undoubtedly one of the finest individual seasons in Premier League history.

However, this time around the Reds can call on Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, with the likes of Naby Keita, Fabinho and Georginio Wijnaldum all too happy to chip in as well.

Jurgen Klopp is blessed with a fantastic array of talent on his bench; ironically, perhaps only Pep Guardiola can lay claim to having more in reserve than the Reds.

It is set up to be a fascinating run-in, particularly with the amount of talent packed in each squad.

One thing is for sure; if either side slips up, the other is certain to take advantage.

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has claimed that Everton’s recent financial figures are now a ‘real concern’.

The Lowdown: Figures published

The Merseyside club have now published their official accounts for the 2020/21 season on their website, which shows a total loss of £120.9m.

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This is the third year in a row that they have published losses of over £110m, and given the problems that they have had with Financial Fair Play (FFP), in addition to the real possibility of being relegated from the Premier League at the end of the season, the next few years certainly look bleak if you are a Toffees fan.

The Latest: O’Rourke reacts

Speaking to The Transfer Tavern, O’Rourke has now given his reaction to the news, claiming that the latest figures published are a ‘real concern’:

“It’s a real concern for Everton recording these heavy losses again, £120m this year, I think it was £111m the year before and £139m the previous season before that, as well.”

The Verdict: Worrying

These are certainly worrying times for the Goodison Park faithful, who need to concentrate on matters on the pitch, starting with their game away at West Ham United on Sunday afternoon, but may be distracted by the latest accounts.

If Frank Lampard’s team do go down to the Championship, it would be nothing short of disastrous, given the financial assurances that the top flight has to offer.

Nonetheless, if the Blues can stay up, they can at least look at becoming more financially stable for the next couple of seasons, with the long-term view of wiping out their losses.

In other news, find out what big EFC injury update has now emerged here!

Everton suffered their 18th Premier League defeat last night leading to Lampard’s seventh loss in nine games in charge since he was appointed at the end of January, and now with relegation looking more likely Alan Myers has weighed in on rumours around the manager’s future.

What’s the word?

Former Everton communications director and journalist Myers has responded on Twitter to a fan questioning social media rumours that Everton would be holding an emergency meeting to discuss Lampard’s immediate future at the club.

Myers simply responded: “I’ve not heard that.”

Supporters will be relieved

There is no doubt that supporters will be relieved to hear there is likely to be no truth in the Everton board considering the future of the former Chelsea boss at this stage of the season with just nine games left to go.

The Toffees are in a very vulnerable situation following their defeat to relegation rivals Burnley on Wednesday evening, and by the end of play on Sunday evening they could be firmly placed in the bottom three if they do not beat Manchester United at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon and Burnley take another three points from Norwich City.

Although it’s certainly not being ideal that the manager has failed to pick up more than six points in the last nine Premier League fixtures, the last thing the club, the fans and the squad need right now is further disruption. The sacking of Lampard at this moment in time is unimaginable when you consider how delicate a position the team have found themselves in.

Unfortunately at this point the Everton board have made their bed and now they need to lie in it by seeing out the last few weeks of the season with the 43-year-old manager. They will need to support him in his efforts to find some way to stop the Merseyside club from suffering their first relegation from the top flight since 1951.

Lampard will need to act fast in restoring confidence and belief in his team as they play again in the early kick-off on Saturday afternoon at Goodison Park in a difficult game against Manchester United who are currently battling for a place in the top four. With both teams on the brink of something to lose Everton must find that edge to take all three points.

In other news: Forget Godfrey: EFC’s “reckless” flop who lost the ball every 2 touches let Frank down

Leeds United winger Ian Poveda was at Ewood Park on Saturday to watch Blackburn Rovers.

The Lowdown: Poveda’s absence

Poveda signed for Rovers over the summer on a season-long loan deal but has been out of action since November after requiring ankle surgery.

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The 22-year-old, who Noel Whelan labelled as ‘exciting’, made just eight appearances for Tony Mowbray’s side, scoring once and providing two assists.

Blackburn are still in with a chance of securing a playoff spot in the second tier, and Poveda was present to watch the club in action on Saturday afternoon.

The Latest: Social media post

Poveda shared a video on his Instagram story on Saturday afternoon in the stands at Ewood Park for Blackburn’s 1-1 draw with Blackpool.

He also posted a picture of himself at Thorp Arch on Friday, revealing he is ‘getting real close’ to a return.

The Verdict: Return imminent?

It remains to be seen if Poveda will return to Rovers before the end of the season, with both clubs in contact in recent weeks regarding the winger’s situation.

However, following his trip to watch Blackburn in action yesterday, it looks as if he may well be linking up with them for the final games of the season.

Leeds will want to ensure he is back to full fitness before sending him back to Ewood Park, though, so it could be one to keep an eye on over the next week or two.

In other news: Offer ready: Orta now ‘very likely to sign’ star whose agent knows Radz as Leeds claim emerges. 

Leeds United are battling fellow Premier League sides Newcastle and Spurs for the signing of Lens midfielder Seko Fofana.

What’s the story?

Back in the January transfer window, Foot Mercato’s editor-in-chief Sebastien Denis claimed the Whites were one of several teams looking at a potential move for the Ivory Coast international.

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Now, Newcastle World have suggested that the Magpies face competition from both Spurs and Jesse Marsch’s side in the race to sign him this summer, and that Leeds in particular have been monitoring his situation.

Dream midfield partner for Kalvin Phillips

While Kalvin Phillips has struggled with injuries this year, if he does stay put at Elland Road this summer, he will no doubt be hoping to enjoy a far more consistent campaign next season.

The big question for him and Leeds, is who his midfield partner should be in the long-term, with the likes of Mateusz Klich and Adam Forshaw generally used in the engine room alongside him.

But, in Fofana, they could have the kind of box-to-box powerhouse that would thrive with someone like Phillips next to him.

As per Whoscored, Fofana is currently Lens’ fourth highest-rated player (6.90) out of those who have started more than one game this season in Ligue 1, while compared to his teammates, he ranks top for both shots and dribbles (2.4 and 1.9), and second for key passes (1.1).

Indeed, with seven goals in his 31 appearances, he’s the club’s second top goal-scorer, with one of those strikes coming during a 1-1 draw with Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain, leading to journalist Zach Lowry describing him as a “phenom”.

It’s no surprise then his manager Franck Haise dubbed him “the most complete player”, and added: “On the pitch, he is able to stay organized to adjust the team’s balance. At the same time, he has a great ability to create and to be decisive on the last pass. He is also capable of scoring a few goals in a season.”

The £18m-rated powerhouse could be a dream midfield signing for Marsch at Leeds, and would surely have Phillips dreaming about the prospect of running things in the engine room.

AND in other news – Leeds could strike gold with £42m teenage sensation, he follows Raphinha on Instagram

Newcastle United would like to sign ‘at least one’ striker during the January transfer window but ‘it’s proving tricky’. 

That’s according to The Athletic’s Chris Waugh, fielding questions in a recent matchday forum.

The lowdown

Eddie Howe revealed following the shock FA Cup defeat to Cambridge United on Saturday that Callum Wilson was facing eight weeks on the sidelines after sustaining a calf injury against Manchester United in December.

The 29-year-old is the Magpies’ top scorer this season with six goals, and he also led the way in this regard last term, so their reliance on him is clear to see.

Newcastle’s list of centre-forward targets reportedly includes Liverpool’s Divock Origi, who is valued at £10.8m by Transfermarkt, and Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke, who’s valued at £12.6m.

The latest

In a Q&A on The Athletic on Saturday, Waugh was addressing the possibility of Newcastle bringing in attacking reinforcements this month, while also hinting that the club’s PIF ownership are dissatisfied with current reserve option Dwight Gayle, who was brought to Tyneside by Rafael Benitez in 2016 for £10m.

The journalist outlined: “In terms of strikers, they are very much actively looking to recruit at least one but, as you say, it’s a very difficult window and hard to secure one even during the summer, so it’s proving tricky, but they will keep attempting to lure one. I don’t believe anything is close, though, and I think they see beyond Gayle now.”

The verdict

Perhaps it’s difficult to persuade a quality striker to join the Magpies when they may fear playing second fiddle to a fit-and-firing Wilson once he returns.

One option might be for Eddie Howe to consider changing shape – over the course of his managerial career, he has favoured a 4-4-2 ‘double six’ formation.

When Wilson – who would have played in that system at Bournemouth – is back in action, the Newcastle boss could play him alongside a new recruit and keep both players happy. However, for that to happen, any prospective new centre-forwards must also be well suited to playing in a strike partnership rather than as a lone target man

In other news, Newcastle are ‘in talks’ over this potential addition in defence

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has been left excited by a potentially ‘impressive’ deal Tottenham Hotspur transfer chief Fabio Paratici could pull off this summer.

The Lowdown: Paratici making moves?

Spurs head coach Antonio Conte will reportedly hold no shortage of demands for the Lilywhites hierarchy heading into this looming summer window.

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The Italian would ideally like to bring in as many as six major signings, according to The Telegraph’s Matt Law, which include a right-wing-back, central defender, two midfielders, a forward and reserve goalkeeper.

As per reliable reports, including one from The Times, managing director Paratici is already making a head start on the latter request – entering pole position to sign 2022 free agent keeper Sam Johnstone.

The shot stopper is set to leave West Bromwich Albion this year as he eyes a return to the Premier League with Football Insider recently claiming he has set his sights on joining Conte.

The Latest: O’Rourke raves…

Speaking to GiveMeSport, reporter O’Rourke has raved over the potentially ‘impressive’ deal Spurs could pull off for Johnstone.

He explained: “That’s what you need at the big clubs, competition for places just in case there are injuries or anything else.

“I think Sam Johnstone is at the right age as a goalkeeper, coming into his prime, so if Spurs were to get him, I think it would be a really impressive start to the transfer window if they do get that deal over the line.”

The Verdict: Bang on the money…

Snapping up the England international would solve a plethora of issues at Spurs so we believe O’Rourke is bang on the money with his verdict.

Tottenham are currently having to contend with a crisis over their homegrown quota, something which could impact their summer transfer dealings, so replacing Atalanta loanee Pierluigi Gollini with Johnstone could go some way to balancing the numbers in the regard.

As a back-up and possible future heir to long-serving number one Hugo Lloris, his quality is also evident, with Wolves legend Steve Bull branding the 29-year-old a ‘world class’ player between the sticks.

Proven in the top flight already, having earned a nod from Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate last year, snapping up Johnstone for nothing would indeed be an ‘impressive’ Paratici coup.

In other news: Source: Tottenham edge closer to ‘top signing’, he now really wants to join Conte! Find out more here.

Speaking on De Telegraaf’s podcast (as shared by Sport Witness), journalist Mike Verweij claims that Ajax will make one final attempt to sign Steven Bergwijn, as they have received ‘signals from Spurs that he is still nominated to leave’.

The Lowdown: Bergwijn’s future uncertain

Bergwijn threw his Spurs future into the air as he fired in two stoppage time goals in 80 seconds to snatch Antonio Conte’s side three points in a thrilling 3-2 win over Leicester City.

Before this, Bergwijn looked like he was heading for the exit door, as Spurs were willing to listen to offers for the Dutchman.

The club had rejected a £15 million bid from Ajax, but only because they were hoping to recoup as much of the £27 million fee that they paid for him two years ago.

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The Latest: Spurs still willing to sell

According to Verweij (translated by Sport Witness), Ajax have not admitted defeat in their pursuit of the winger, and Tottenham still seem keen on finding a deal for Bergwijn’s departure.

Speaking on De Telegraaf’s podcast, Verweij said: “I think they will make a final attempt for Bergwijn.

“They have received signals from Spurs that he is still nominated to leave. The offer must then exceed twenty million (£16.7m).”

The Verdict: Silly to let him go?

With the 24-year-old having turned Spurs’ fortune around against Leicester and with Alasdair Gold hailing him as a ‘rare bright spot’ in the defeat at Chelsea, it throws in the question whether Conte and Fabio Paratici would be silly to let the Netherlands international leave the club.

The potential arrival of Adama Traore from Wolves may be what is leading Spurs to look to offload the player to Ajax in order to recoup some funds, but reports have suggested Conte wants Traore to play the right-wing-back role, so it’s not exactly like-for-like.

Therefore, Bergwijn’s future at Tottenham remains uncertain, and it certainly feels like a risk to cash in for around €20m (£16.7m) given the lack of other firepower in the squad.

In other news: Franck Kessie snubs Spurs

Many Everton fans have been left slamming the display of Andre Gomes in their 2-1 loss away at Norwich City in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

It was a very poor result for the Goodison Park faithful against a team in the relegation zone, as a Michael Keane own goal and a strike from Adam Idah within the first 18 minutes of the game were enough to give the Canaries all three points, despite Richarlison’s goal on the hour mark.

Gomes himself had a particularly poor match, losing out on 10 of his duels, the most out of any player on the pitch, while he also failed to record a single shot on target, interception, key pass or accurate cross (SofaScore).

He also lost possession of the ball on no fewer than on 22 separate occasions throughout the clash, again the most out of any player on both teams, and will no doubt have to perform better if he is to stay in the side.

Everton fans slam Gomes

These supporters of the Merseyside club slammed his performance on Twitter, with one Toffee even going as far as to claim that he was a ‘ghost’:

“Andre Gomes having a mare too.”

Credit: @GOT_TXBill

“Andre Gomes struggles to kick a football.”

Credit: @WallaseyToffee

“Andre Gomes can’t run anymore. Looks chubby too. Just a shambles”

Credit: @LukeTheBlue111

“Andre Gomes is such a ghost man”

Credit: @Ihateiwobi

“Same old characters letting us down. Gomes has been anonymous. Coleman and Keane are a shambles. I’m convinced nothing changes until the squad is gutted”

Credit: @nickjones314

“Get Seamus off now for Patterson and Gomes for Gbamin, Gomes gets by as an impact sub nowhere near the level to start.”

Credit: @smigger1878

In other news, find out which injury blow the Blues have now received here!

Newcastle United have been handed an encouraging transfer update in their quest to sign Reims starlet Hugo Ekitike…

What’s the story?

Speaking live on Sky Sports, Dharmesh Sheth revealed: “Talks are still ongoing between the two clubs, and there’s a will to get this deal done. I’m told today of some of the details of the proposed deal. It’s worth around €30m (£25m) – that’s €27m up front with additional add-ons making it around €30m.

“It will be spread over the proposed five-year contract. As it stands, there’s still a small gap over the valuation that Newcastle want to pay and what Reims want. Significantly, the player does want to come to Newcastle. He’s keen to make that move. I’m told that if he was to sign, such is his ability and how highly-rated he is, he would go into the squad for this season.”

Howe needs him

While saying Eddie Howe ‘needs’ a largely unproved 19-year-old from Ligue 1 might sound far-fetched, Ekitike could well be the kind of player who provides Newcastle’s attack with a sense of unpredictability heading into the second-half of the Premier League season.

In fact, writing on Twitter, journalist Graeme Bailey dubbed him an “outstanding talent”, and added that he would be a “huge signing for Newcastle if they get it done, many in France believe he could be the next Mbappe.”

Ekitike has scored an impressive eight goals in just 17 Ligue 1 games, while he’s also managed three assists too, showcasing a real ability to be a genuine finisher in and around the box and also be a intricate link-up player too.

While the likes of Chris Wood and Callum Wilson are tried and tested Premier League options who opposition defences will know all about, the X-factor that Ekitike could bring with him could add another exciting string to Newcastle’s attacking bow.

Whether it’s coming off the bench to provide a bit of spark, or catching other teams out by starting him from the off, the talented teenager is something Howe could really do with as he looks to rescue his side from relegation.

Meanwhile, Newcastle could save their season with this signing…