Neymar is contracted with Paris Saint-Germain until 2025 but the French champions have reportedly transfer listed him.

The Brazilian forward is on a hefty wage, believed to be around €36 million per year.

Neymar has netted 12 goals in 19 Ligue 1 games this season, adding another five goals in nine appearances in other competitions.


TOP STORY – MEETING HELD AS CHELSEA'S NEYMAR INTEREST DEVELOPS

Le Parisien reports Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has met with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi about a transfer for Neymar.

The report claims the meeting was held in Paris, discussing the conditions around a potential transfer in the next transfer window.

It is claimed that a fee of around €60 million (£53m) has been discussed, although Neymar's significant wages may be a stumbling block to overcome.

 

ROUND-UP

– Inter defender Denzel Dumfries is set to be the subject of off-season bids from both Arsenal and Manchester United, claims Fichajes. The Premier League duo both see an opportunity to sign the Dutchman below market value.

– Fabrizio Romano reports Barcelona have agreed to sign Mexican right-back Julian Araujo from MLS club LA Galaxy. The deal is worth €4 million, with a contract to be signed up until 2026.

– Sport Bild claims Bayern Munich are monitoring the status of Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, with consideration being put to a bid prior to the next transfer window. Arsenal are also keep tabs on Rashford's situation, according to Football Insider.

– Bild also reports Bayern are still keen on Tottenham forward Harry Kane but will not be drawn into a bidding war for his services, with Manchester United in the hunt too.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants the club to sign Real Sociedad's 24-year-old midfielder Martin Zubimendi, reports Sport.

Liverpool have held preliminary talks for Torino defender Perr Schuurs, claims Tuttosport.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has urged those responsible to learn from their mistakes after the findings from an independent review into organisational issues at last season's Champions League final were revealed earlier this week.

The showpiece clash last May between Liverpool and Real Madrid – which the latter won 1-0 – was twice delayed before kick-off at the Stade de France, with fans unable to enter the ground and tear-gassed by police.

UEFA initially blamed Liverpool fans attempting entry with "fake tickets" before an independent review, commissioned by European football's governing body, said it was in fact the organisers who had been responsible.

The report released on Monday apportioned "primary responsibility" to UEFA, while also criticising the actions of the French Football Federation and local police authorities.

Liverpool have demanded action from UEFA following what the report described as a "near-miss", while club captain Jordan Henderson said it must be a "turning point" for the treatment of fans.

"I think it's super-important that, finally, it's official, let me say it like this," Klopp told Liverpool's official website. "I'm not sure, at least in my life, there was never a case with more evidence, where I knew more about [it] when I was not directly involved, because I was on the other side of the wall in the stadium, pretty much.

"But families, friends, they were all there and everybody knew how our supporters behaved, but it really feels good, it feels just right that it's now official and everybody knows it now because there were so many things said after the game, which we knew they were wrong. It was just lies. So, I'm really happy that it's finally said officially."

The report outlined 21 recommendations for avoiding similar incidents in future, including for safety and security to be at the forefront of planning and matches to be managed with a "facilitation and service" approach towards supporters, rather than viewing them as a public order problem.

"There were big mistakes made," Klopp added. "That they had to change the venue a few months before [from Saint Petersburg to Paris due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine]... I understand and that's difficult. But to put it into a stadium which is not used regularly, so just for some big events and stuff like this and not all the time. 

"So, as an example, I'm German and this is why I say it, but as an example if you used Berlin – a big city, enough hotels, is used to having every two weeks big events with 70,000 people in the stadium and stuff like that, it would have been exactly the same, but the supporters wouldn't have been from Germany, but from Spain and England [and] that would be the only difference.

".Big events are organised so often and when you are under pressure, you have time pressure, you still have to make the right decisions and that's [a] responsibility for specific people. And so yes, I hope they listen, I hope they learn."

The report also said that deaths being avoided was only "a matter of chance," and mainly down to the behaviour of fans.

"I think we were really lucky that not more happened," Klopp said. "It was a day of, I'm not sure how you say it, but the day of 'goodwill lies' – when you have to lie to protect the other person.

"Because we all had messages from our people outside before the game and then the game got delayed, so we started looking at the smartphone again, 'What's happening?' We knew because people couldn't get in and everybody said, 'No, I'm fine, I'm fine...' and nobody was fine. Nobody was fine.

"Then the game started and I heard from people that everybody who was in the stadium was just there and thought, 'I made it somehow, wow.' It was not the mood you are in when you want to watch a Champions League final.

"So what it all took away and the strangest thing is that after the game, like an hour after the game, the least important information on that night was that we lost the final. That's really crazy. And that shows just how it all went."

Ultimately, Klopp just wants lessons to be learned, adding: "When you hear it [for the] first time, you cannot believe it, that that all happened in that time, but it did.

"So, yes, there's a lot to improve and I hope everybody learned from it."

Cody Gakpo was not tempted to knock on Jurgen Klopp's door to discuss the indifferent start he made to life at Liverpool.

The Netherlands forward enjoyed a fine World Cup where he scored three goals in five appearances to help his country to the quarter-finals in Qatar.

Gakpo had also scored nine goals in 14 Eredivisie appearances this season before making the switch to Anfield in the last transfer window.

However, he failed to score or assist in his first six Reds games, a barren run that coincided with a poor return to domestic action for Liverpool.

Gakpo and Liverpool found some form in the 2-0 derby win over Everton on Monday, though, with the forward scoring the second in that game.

Speaking to Viaplay Netherlands about his slow start, Gakpo said: "Of course, as a striker, you always want to score and give assists. 

"In the end, though, it's about winning and if that too doesn't work out, then it's tough.

"I have to be honest, I don't really read it [criticism]. I get it of course.

"That's not so nice for any normal person, but you have to deal with that. I don't think I get confused by that.

"I think I could have gone to Jurgen Klopp for that, but I didn't. That was not necessary for me."

Liverpool will look to make it back-to-back wins when they visit Newcastle United on Saturday.

Erling Haaland's long-term future has been a source of speculation for months and reports of a release clause in mid-2024 in his Manchester City contract have put Barcelona and Real Madrid on high alert.

The Norwegian was pursued by a host of clubs last off-season, with City winning the race ahead of Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Chelsea, Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Haaland has since scored 25 Premier League goals in 21 appearances and 31 in all competitions after joining City.


TOP STORY – HAALAND SET FOR SPANISH SWITCH NEXT YEAR

Erling Haaland has decided he wants to leave England for Spain next year when the release clause in his City contract can be activated, reports Fichajes.

The report claims Real Madrid and Barcelona are the two viable options for Haaland, who will exit City at the end of the 2023-24 season, with playing in Spain a dream for the 22-year-old.

City's potential sanctions for alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial rules have also played a part in Haaland believing mid-2024 is the right time to leave.

 

ROUND-UP

- Big-spending Chelsea are set to join the race to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham, reports The Telegraph. Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid are already keen on the 19-year-old England international.

- Manchester Evening News claims Manchester United have "genuine interest" in a move for Roma's English striker Tammy Abraham in the next transfer window.

- Barcelona's Ansu Fati will resist overtures from Tottenham, Arsenal and Bayern Munich to remain with the Blaugrana, reports Mundo Deportivo.

- AS reports Tottenham will turn to Sevilla's Morocco international goalkeeper Yassine Bounou in their search for a long-term successor to Hugo Lloris.

- Leicester City have ramped up talks with James Maddison on a new contract amid interest from Newcastle United, Arsenal and Tottenham, claims The Telegraph.

- FotoSpor claims Turkish club Fenerbahce have reached out to Manchester United about signing Mason Greenwood, who is under club investigation despite criminal charges being dropped against him recently.

- Calciomercatoweb reports Massimiliano Allegri could leave his position as Juventus head coach to replace Roberto Mancini in Italy's top job.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson wants the report into the incidents at the Champions League final to represent a "turning point" after "inadequate organisation" by UEFA.

The May 28 European showpiece between Liverpool and Real Madrid was twice delayed before kick-off at the Stade de France, with fans unable to enter the ground and tear-gassed by police.

UEFA initially blamed Liverpool fans attempting entry with "fake tickets" before an independent review, commissioned by European football's governing body, placed the blame at the door of the organisers.

The report released on Monday apportioned "primary responsibility" to UEFA, while also criticising the actions of the French Football Federation and local police authorities.

On Tuesday, Liverpool demanded action from UEFA following what the report described as a "near miss", and Henderson is determined the events of last year must not be repeated.

"The Paris report needs to be a turning point for the treatment of football fans," Henderson wrote on Twitter, sharing Liverpool's response. "No one should have their safety jeopardised by inadequate organisation."

Comparisons were drawn by Liverpool supporters between Paris 2022 and the fatal events at Hillsborough in 1989, which resulted in the death of 97 supporters, with the report concurring that UEFA risked a repeat.

It stated "the parallels between Hillsborough 1989 and Paris 2022 are palpable", with incidents at both stadiums "preventable" and "caused by the failures of those responsible for public safety". 

Liverpool urged UEFA to "fully and transparently" fulfil the report's 21 recommendations, which included putting safety and security at the forefront of planning and having matches managed with a "facilitation and service" approach towards supporters, rather than viewing them as a potential public order problem.

The Premier League club added action must be taken "to ensure there are no more 'near misses'", and Henderson expects to see progress as soon as possible.

"The sooner action is taken, the better," he added.

Roses are red, violets are blue, have we got the perfect Valentine's Day content for you!

(Very) questionable rhymes aside, love is in the air as long-standing couples and newly formed relationships celebrate the day of romance on Tuesday.

The Premier League is certainly no stranger to the language of love, so while cracking open a bottle of red and exchanging cheap tat with your significant other, why not get some inspiration for love with our Valentine's Day facts with some help from Cupid!

Well, maybe not Cupid, but Opta – and the team at Opta are full of love!

MATT LE KISS-IER'S FOND VALENTINE'S DAY MEMORY

Valentine's Day is of course a day for love (and overpaying for those last-minute flowers and cards you almost forgot to buy…).

Three players who've enjoyed a particularly joyous February 14 in the past are Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier, ex-Liverpool striker Michael Owen, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who have each scored three times in the Premier League on this date – no one has managed more.

All three of those were Valentine's Day hat-tricks as well.

 

Le Tissier registered three against the Reds back in 1994; Owen took home the match ball with a treble for Liverpool versus Sheffield Wednesday four years later; Aubameyang broke Leeds United hearts in 2021 with Arsenal.

COUPLE GOALS

Sharing's caring, as they say.

Mutual support is a key component of any healthy relationship, particularly the relationship between a striker and their fellow forwards…

If there's any Premier League pairing that sums up "couple goals", it has to be Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.

The Tottenham duo have directly linked up for 44 goals in the league, more than any other pairing in Premier League history.

No couple have ever combined for more than one goal on Valentine's Day, though Philippe Coutinho and the late Jose Antonio Reyes have shared the love on the most romantic day of the year – they have tallied two assists each on February 14, more than anyone else.

CARDS GALORE

Whether from a partner or a secret admirer, it's always nice to receive a card or two on Valentine's Day.

Unless of course you're playing in the Premier League, in which case you want to see the referees keep their cards in their pockets.

In this regard, Leicester City have been the most prolific, their nine yellow cards on Valentine's Day being more than any other team have received. Arsenal follow with six.

The Foxes also fare badly when it comes to red cards, having earned two on February 14 – Danny Simpson (2016) and Hamza Choudhury (2020) account for those dismissals.

The only other player to receive a red card on Valentine's Day is Everton hero Duncan Ferguson ... no, we weren't shocked either.

LOVE IS BLIND'S TEAM-MATE

Donald Love's name gets a good airing all over social media every February 14 given it's ripe for Valentine's Day punnery.

The defender, who now plays for Morecambe in League One, made his Manchester United debut the day before Valentine's Day in 2016, coming on as a substitute in a 2-1 defeat to Sunderland, who he would also go on to play for.

In that game, he slotted in on the right of a back four that also included another pun-magnet in Daley Blind. So, on Valentine's Day 2016, you could have legitimately said Love is Blind...'s team-mate.

Love never went on to play a Premier League game on Valentine's Day, which for obvious reasons is rather regrettable.

SHORT AND SWEET

Valentine's Days come and go, but in football as in life, not every relationship stands the test of time.

In the Premier League, there have been three players to make their only appearance in the competition on February 14.

Neil Cutler's brief fling with Aston Villa resulted in a one-off appearance in 2000; Shay Logan appeared for Manchester City seven years later; and in 2021 the fittingly named Niall Huggins got his sole outing for Leeds United.

It's better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all… and our heart goes out to those in that singles club.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola issued a public apology to Steven Gerrard over "unnecessary and stupid comments" he made about the Liverpool legend last week.

Guardiola referenced Gerrard's slip against Chelsea in the 2013-14 Premier League title race when defending City amid allegations of more than 100 breaches of financial rules. 

Gerrard's costly error allowed Demba Ba to race through and score for Chelsea in a 2-0 win at Anfield, with that proving a pivotal moment as City went on to win the title.

"I don't know if we are responsible for Steven Gerrard slipping. Was that our fault?" Guardiola said last Friday. "I have respect for Steven – but that moment belongs to us."

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday ahead of City's huge showdown with Arsenal, Guardiola opened proceedings by revealing he has reached out to Gerrard to apologise.

"I apologise to Steven Gerrard for my unnecessary and stupid comments I said the last time about him," he said. 

"He knows how I admire him and his career, what he has done for this country that I am living and training in. I'm ashamed of myself because he doesn't deserve it. 

"I truly believe in my comments in previous press conferences to defend my club, but I didn't represent my club well putting his name in these stupid comments."

Gerrard spent 17 seasons at Liverpool prior to leaving in 2015 and played out the final two campaigns of his playing career in Major League Soccer with Los Angeles Galaxy.

He has since moved into management and enjoyed a successful spell at Rangers, winning the Scottish Premiership in 2020-21, before a disappointing year with Aston Villa.

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl remains hopeful Jude Bellingham could sign a new contract with the club, but he admits that may be "wishful thinking" on his part.

Bellingham is widely expected to leave Dortmund in the near future, with the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City and Liverpool heavily linked with the 19-year-old.

The England midfielder's Dortmund deal expires in 2025, but reports have suggested a sale in the next transfer window is likely, in order to allow his club to extract a bigger transfer fee.

Kehl, however, has not given up hope of keeping Bellingham at Signal Iduna Park for the long term.

Asked if there was any update on Bellingham's future, Kehl told Ruhr Nachrichten: "There has been no new development. We'll have to be patient for a little longer. 

"But of course we're trying to keep Jude Bellingham at Borussia Dortmund as long as possible, because he's an incredibly important player who has shown once again this season how he identifies with this club and makes the team better.

"I would also like to still have Erling Haaland or Jadon Sancho at Borussia Dortmund. Because you can only imagine if we had managed to keep all three players in one team, what opportunities would then arise.

 

"Things develop due to market mechanisms. So of course, I have my thoughts and also have my wishful thinking. I can't say whether that will happen in the end. 

"From Borussia Dortmund's point of view, the wishful thinking would be to keep a player of this quality at this club for as long as possible. 

"We will always try everything to keep players of this quality at BVB – because we are ambitious, because we want to win titles. For this, we need not only good but outstanding players."

Bellingham leads his Dortmund team-mates for goals (10), tackles (70) and duels (388) this term, with the midfield all-rounder only seeing his tally of six assists bettered by Raphael Guerreiro (seven).

Dortmund host Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday, looking to end a 10-match winless run against English teams in European competitions dating back to 2016 (D2 L8).

Liverpool have called on UEFA to enact the recommendations of a report which found the governing body "primarily responsible" for the "near-miss" at last year's Champions League final in Paris. 

UEFA commissioned an independent review after dangerous scenes marred Liverpool's meeting with Real Madrid at the Stade de France in May, with English fans targeted with tear gas by French police as they struggled to enter the venue.

European football's governing body initially blamed delays to kick-off on thousands of supporters using "fake tickets", with a similar narrative pushed by French government figures.

The review's findings were published on Monday, with the report holding UEFA responsible as event organiser while also criticising the actions of the French Football Federation and police.

The report outlined 21 recommendations for avoiding similar incidents in the future, including for safety and security to be at the forefront of planning and matches to be managed with a "facilitation and service" approach towards supporters, rather than viewing them as a public order problem.

Liverpool urged UEFA to heed the report on Tuesday, saying: "Liverpool FC welcomes the report into the chaos at the UEFA Champions League final in Paris, which fully vindicates Liverpool fans while finding UEFA primarily responsible for organisational failings.

"We implore UEFA to fully enact the recommendations as outlined by the panel – no matter how difficult – to ensure supporter safety is the number one priority at the heart of every fixture.

"Even before the delayed kick-off was announced, we called on officials at the top of UEFA to delay kick-off and take control of the chaos. We also called on UEFA to launch a full independent and transparent investigation.

"We knew that it was critical to understand why both Liverpool and Real Madrid supporters found themselves in the situation where their safety was put at risk.

"Shocking false narratives were peddled in the immediate aftermath of that night in Paris; narratives that have since been totally disproven.

"It is shocking that more than 30 years after the Hillsborough disaster, any club and our group of fans would be subject to such fundamental safety failings which have had such a devastating impact on so many.

"But even more concerning is the realisation that for families, friends and survivors of Hillsborough, Paris has only exacerbated their suffering.

"As a football club with proud history in Europe, we call on UEFA to do the right thing and implement the 21 recommendations to ensure the safety of all football supporters attending any future UEFA football match."

Jurgen Klopp felt Liverpool made a "statement" in a 2-0 Merseyside derby victory over Everton that provided a "massive relief".

The Reds claimed their first Premier League win of the year at the fifth attempt by dominating their relegation-threatened neighbours at Anfield on Monday.

Mohamed Salah was set up by Darwin Nunez to open the scoring in the first half with his 18th goal of the season, finishing off of a blistering counter-attack 13 seconds after James Tarkowski hit the post at the other end.

Cody Gakpo's first Liverpool goal early in the second half doubled the lead and the toothless Toffees were unable to respond, suffering their first defeat under new boss Sean Dyche after starting his reign with a win over leaders Arsenal.

Klopp was also able to introduce the fit-again Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino as second-half substitutes in his 250th win as Liverpool manager, while Virgil van Dijk was back on the bench after a spell out with a hamstring injury.

The German hopes his side can now get on a roll after a poor start to the year after they moved up a spot to ninth spot, nine points behind fourth-placed Newcastle United ahead of a trip to St James' Park on Saturday.

He told BBC Sport: "It felt like us, it looked like us. The result is massive relief. Tonight everyone starts believing a little bit more again. We have to keep going.

"The performance was a statement for us that we can do this. We had to play our game and that was pretty much the case for 95 minutes and that's why deserved the points.

"To get out of our situation we need performances. I saw the same [swagger] but we have to prove it. We have to carry on."

He added: "We were lucky [when Tarkowski hit the post]. Darwin went full throttle. The second goal was a wonderful counter-attack as well. We were so dominant. I don't know the figures, but it must have been 70 per cent possession.

"The whole performance was extremely important for us because we needed to make a statement."

Mohamed Salah hopes a 2-0 Merseyside derby win over Everton will be the start of Liverpool's resurgence after a poor start to the year.

The Reds had only secured one point from four Premier League matches in 2023 before seeing off their neighbours at Anfield on Monday.

Salah opened the scoring with his 18th goal of the season after five games without a goal, Darwin Nunez setting him up on the break 13 seconds after James Tarkowski had struck the post at the other end in the first half.

Cody Gakpo doubled Liverpool's lead with his first goal for the club early in the second half and there was no way back for the Toffees, who remain in the relegation zone following a first defeat under new boss Sean Dyche.

Jurgen Klopp was also boosted by the return from injury of Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino as second-half substitutes, while Virgil van Dijk was on the bench after recovering from a hamstring problem.

Victory moved the Reds into ninth place and they will only be six points adrift of fourth-placed Newcastle United if they beat Eddie Howe's side on Saturday.

Leading scorer Salah told Sky Sports: "It's a huge win for us. We had a perfect week to train and the players were so excited and we couldn't wait for the game to turn everything around and hopefully it was a start."

He added: "I know that Darwin is really fast so they had a corner and we played a one-two. I knew that he was going to play the ball in the space, so I was running as fast as I could and scored so that's the most important thing."

Salah felt the Reds reaped the rewards for a display in which they showed much more intensity.

He said: "We were a little bit lucky but luck always comes when you work really hard and I'm sure everybody was excited for that game to change everything. Hopefully this is the start.

"[Jordan] Henderson and [James] Milner were speaking and said we have to play our football and we have to enjoy so we managed to play good.

Salah became the 13th player to be involved in 100 Premier League goals at a single stadium, the opener being the 71st time he has struck in the top flight to go with his 29 assists.

The Egypt international achieved that feat in 104 appearances, with only Alan Shearer (74 at Ewood Park) and Thierry Henry (92 at Highbury) doing so in fewer.

UEFA is "primarily responsible" for the "near-miss" at last year's Champions League final, where "the parallels between Hillsborough 1989 and Paris 2022" were "palpable".

Those findings from an independent review, commissioned by UEFA, were released on Monday after investigating incidents at the Stade de France showpiece between Liverpool and Real Madrid on May 28.

The report cited a lack of "Plan B when things went wrong" and concluded UEFA and French authorities were wrong to blame thousands of Liverpool supporters with "fake tickets" for the concerning ongoings.

French police were criticised for their treatment of fans, which included using tear gas, while demanding UEFA takes responsibility for issues, along with the French Football Federation and policing authorities.

"The dangerous conditions on the concourse outside the turnstiles were compounded by the police deploying tear gas at disorderly groups of locals, as well as using pepper spray on supporters trying to gain entrance with valid tickets," the report said.

"It is remarkable that no one lost their life. All the stakeholders interviewed by the panel have agreed that this situation was a near-miss: a term used when an event almost turns into a mass fatality catastrophe.

"The late change of venue meant that the normal timetable for organisation had to be truncated, and planning for the event had to be adapted to the circumstances.

"Compromises could be made to many areas of the event, but safety and security were not among them. Whereas there could be no bidding process or development of a concept, full attention should have been paid to the formulation and agreement of venue and event risk assessments, and proper operational plans. That did not happen.

"Senior officials at the top of UEFA allowed this to happen, even though the shortcomings of its model were widely known at senior management level, as acknowledged to the panel."

Comparisons were drawn by Liverpool supporters between Paris 2022 and the fatal Hillsborough events in 1989 in which 97 supporters died, with the report concurring that UEFA risked a repeat last year.

It added: "The parallels between Hillsborough 1989 and Paris 2022 are palpable. The similarities include the fact that both events were preventable, and both were caused by the failures of those responsible for public safety. Neither was a 'black swan' event, or the result of a 'perfect storm'."

Allegations ticketless Liverpool fans caused the issues outside the ground were found to be "wrongly inflated and exaggerated".

"The panel draws the inference that they have been made [ticketless fans claims] primarily to deflect from responsibility for planning and operational failures," the report added.

"This is reprehensible and has involved UEFA, UEFA Events SA, FFF, the Prefecture de Police, Government Officials and French Ministers.

"Both events were foreseeable. In the judgment of the panel, the different outcomes were a matter of chance: in one nearly a hundred died, the other none, but through no merit of those in charge."

The review expressed concerns lessons have not been learned, with France set to host the Rugby World Cup later this year, and questioned Michel Cadot, the French government official responsible for major sporting events.

"Despite Mr Cadot's willingness to accept that mistakes had been made [at the final], the panel is concerned that there remains a misconception about what actually happened and complacency regarding what needs to change," the report continued.

"This is particularly acute given the proximity of the Rugby World Cup and Olympic and Paralympic Games and the importance of the Stade de France to both events."

The report also made 21 recommendations for improvements, including for safety and security to be at the forefront of planning and matches to be managed with a "facilitation and service" approach towards supporters rather than viewing them as a potential public order problem.

UEFA promised to announce a "special refund scheme for fans" and said it was "currently analysing the findings of the review and assessing them against its own analysis of the organisation of the event and facts that occurred around it" after the review was released.

Cody Gakpo scored his first goal for Liverpool and Mohamed Salah was on target as Everton were consigned to a 2-0 Merseyside derby defeat at Anfield.

The Reds' hopes of securing a top-four finish had been rocked by a run of four top-flight games without a win, but they got their first Premier League victory of 2023 on Monday.

Salah rounded off a blistering counter-attack 12 seconds after James Tarkowski had struck the post with his 18th goal of the season, having failed to find the back of the net in his previous five matches, late in the first half.

Gakpo got off the mark early in the second half as Liverpool moved up a spot to ninth and kept their neighbours in the relegation zone by consigning boss Sean Dyche to a first defeat, with substitute appearances for the fit-again Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino also providing boosts for Jurgen Klopp.

Netherlands forward Gakpo spurned a good chance to open the scoring when he headed wide from close range early in a frantic start.

Tarkowski came agonisingly close to scoring a second goal in as many games after his winner against Arsenal when he rose to meet Alex Iwobi's corner with a header that struck that post, and Liverpool were in front moments later.

Everton were badly caught out on the break as Darwin Nunez darted forward and picked out Salah, who tucked into an empty net with Jordan Pickford in no man's land nine minutes before the break.

The Toffees were once again caught on the break four minutes into the second half, when Conor Cody failed to deal with Trent Alexander-Arnold's dangerous cross and Gakpo got off the mark with a tap-in.

Nunez was denied by Pickford from tight angle and bent an effort just wide after being set up by Gakpo as Everton continued to be opened up all too easily.

Ellis Simms was withdrawn after being handed a start with Dominic Calvert-Lewin unfit, before Jota and Firmino were given great ovations when they came off the bench, and Tom Davies' glaring miss with a header from close range summed up Everton's day.

Liverpool slammed "hugely disappointing" leaks into a report that is said to apportion the majority of blame on UEFA for issues at last year's Champions League final.

UEFA promised to investigate the ongoings after the kick-off between Liverpool and Real Madrid was twice delayed at the Stade de France showpiece in Paris on May 28.

European football's governing body initially blamed the delays on thousands of supporters using "fake tickets", with an investigation promised after French police used tear gas on some fans.

It was widely reported on Monday the independent review, commissioned by UEFA, will find faults with the competition's organisers and the lack of venue risk assessment by French authorities.

UEFA as event owner is said to be assigned "primary responsibility" and the report is set to say the police and French Football Federation "bear responsibility" because of their roles to ensure public safety.

But Liverpool bemoaned the high-profile report being leaked before an official announcement after months of investigation. 

"It's hugely disappointing that a report of such significance, such importance to football supporters' lives and future safety, should be leaked and published in this way," a club statement read.

"It's been over eight months of work by the independent panel and it is only right and proper to publish the contents of the report to our supporters appropriately.

"We will await to receive a copy of the report and digest it thoroughly before making any further comment."

Luis Diaz is determined to help Liverpool turn their miserable season around when he returns from a knee injury.

However, the winger is unsure whether he will be ready for the Reds' Champions League tie with Real Madrid. 

Diaz missed Liverpool's last 10 games prior to the World Cup after sustaining the issue in October's 3-2 defeat at Arsenal, and he suffered a setback upon his return to training in December.

Liverpool have endured a dreadful run in his absence, failing to win a Premier League game in 2023 (D1 L3) to leave them well adrift of a top-four place.

Reports had suggested Diaz could feature in the second leg of Liverpool's last-16 tie against Champions League holders Madrid next month, but the Colombia international is unable to put a timeframe on his comeback. 

"The frustration is big, of course, but I try to put into my head that it could happen to anyone and it is now done," he said in an interview with The Telegraph.

"An injury like this could happen to any player, to the best player. I put it in my head that I could go through this injury and just need to recover and work hard to come back when I'm 100 per cent.

"The mentality is the most important because you are not playing and that is the thing you want to do. If you have a good mentality, you can improve.

"I'm already out on the pitch making recovery but as you can understand with an injury on the knee, the recovery is day by day so I cannot tell you in which match I'll be back.

"I'm trying to be back as soon as possible. The desire is big to be back playing when 100 per cent ready to help the team."

Only once in the Premier League era have Liverpool started a calendar year with a longer winless run than 2023's four games (five in 2017), but Diaz hopes his return can provide a spark for Jurgen Klopp's under-performing side, who host struggling Everton in the Merseyside derby on Monday.

"I want to be back and after that I know there are a lot of matches before the end of the season and I just want to help the team with my football," he said.

"It is important to be back, but it is not only me. The idea is to be back and help the team with all my friends and team-mates. I want to be back to make a good second part of the season."

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