Everton snatch late equaliser against Liverpool | Havertz could miss rest of the season | Will Salah stay at Anfield?
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Welcome to Back Pages, bringing you everything you need to know about the biggest sports stories making the headlines in the morning's newspapers. I'm David Garrido. Joining me are The Sun's Charlie Wyatt and Reth Alsamurai from The Daily Mail. Welcome along to you both. I mean, clearly there is only one place to start. It is at Goodison Park, the final Minnesota Derby to be played there before Everton move to a new home. Charlie, we're going to start off with your paper, The Sun, and they say Goodison Spark.

Very good. And you can see the headline under the headline, Slot, one of three reds after Tarkovsky late-level at End Stadium's final derby. It was, in the end, four. I mean, it wasn't seen by many people or indeed the cameras, but I think Slot's assistant went off too. I mean, you know, this was, I suppose, Spark for me is putting it mildly, Charlie.

Chaos. It was utter chaos, wasn't it? Absolutely brilliant viewing. It was written in the stars, I think, that the final ever Merseyside derby at Goodison Park was going to end this way. It was going to end with absolute drama and with a goal that's going to be iconic. I don't think when James Tarkowski started the game this evening that at any stage you would end up scoring not only a goal right at the end of the game, but

one that's going to be shown in probably 30 years time. Um, it was just, you know, an unbelievable evening and Arnie slot, you know, he's, he's been, uh, you know, incredible for Liverpool as managers since arriving. He's been really calm, isn't he? But the Merseyside Derby changed all that, that transformed him. And obviously he got a red card and he was, um,

Yeah, throughout the game, as animated as I've ever seen him. So, yeah, it will take quite some time to unpick this game. But, you know, a blow for Liverpool. But equally, I don't think that they've been too unhappy with the point beforehand. But ultimately, what an unbelievable ending to this match. Yeah, absolutely right. I mean, also for James Tarkovsky, by the way,

his 100th Premier League appearance and probably felt like it was making amends because for Alex McAllister's equaliser, he wasn't close enough to one of the shortest players on the pitch who scored with a backward header. So maybe he feels, you know, in a way, he managed to get his own back. Right, Riyadh, we'll go to your paper now, the mail, and how you're reflecting this Mersey mayhem. There we go. Everton go wild after late leveler, mass brawl and fans invading pitch, raging slot.

sent off. Yep, all accurate there. But let's just talk about the goal itself. I mean, you know, coming in the 90 plus eight. What did you make of that in terms of just sheer drama? We know that these games are lively. They often do live up to the billing, but for it to happen in quite such circumstances with that blast at the back post by James Tarkovsky.

You know what my initial instinct after he's leathered it in and I guess referred to VAR, which is going to be another one of those nights of surging in from the boundary rope and moaning about technology killing the game. I actually think they might have had a slight case if they'd done that. I've watched the sort of

should we say the interception on Kenaate a couple of times, but there's no fun in that discussion. It's a fantastic finish.

It's the perfect sort of sign-off to the Merseyside derby, a good, a certain, among the various other stats that have gone around about this. It was 41 wins for each of Everton and Liverpool in the games there. So, you know, Liverpool were about to go and run off with that sort of,

slight sort of slice of history. So, you know, eternal winners, I suppose, or something like that, right? You know, eternal winners at Goodison over Everton. I mean, that would have been very hard for Everton fans to take, for sure.

I'm sure it might have been mentioned once or twice in dispatches in the next few years. But look, it was a great way for the game to end. Even the bedlam at the end, you know, we can all get a little bit pious about these pile-ons. I was watching it and I just thought, this is just fantastic.

drama, you know, there will of course be conversations about controlling your players. There's been four red cards. I'm sure both clubs are going to get a stern telling off for it. But, you know, for the kind of matches and occasions that we love to see, this ticked every single box. Let's talk about one of the red card recipients. I'm going to call him Arna Slot. And actually his demeanour

through the game. I mean, this is a man who has been so impressive because of his calmness, because of how he's filled the boots of Jochen Klopp and how he's just moved Liverpool into the next gear. What did you make of him tonight, Charlie? Well, yeah, I mean, you know, it was an unbelievable atmosphere. It certainly seemed that way, didn't it? And it was always going to be a special night, you know, a motion-charged evening, both amongst the Everton fans, of course,

And, you know, the Liverpool fans were obviously making a lot of noise and there were a few curious decisions, which I think why slot was getting quite annoyed. But I thought there was some dubious decisions for both teams, really. I don't think Everton should have got a free kick ahead of an opening goal. I don't think Everton should have got a free kick ahead of an opening goal.

I didn't think it was a foul. So that's when slot started to get annoyed. There was appeal for a penalty for handball from Canarte, which previously that would have been handball, but the rules have changed.

I did think Curtis Jones was lucky not to get a straight red 60 seconds after coming on as a sub. Studs high challenge. I thought he was really fortunate. Obviously, he got red in the end anyway, but also played a part in the Liverpool goal. So it was just one of those evenings where I'm sure if you're in that technical area, you're

And yeah, you're new to Merseyside Derby. David Moyes, obviously, he's had a few of those, would have been very, very testing. And of course, Slotts' assistant got a red card as well.

And yeah, as Riyadh said, I think both teams will be in trouble. Everton, in terms of punishment, Everton will be as well for fans, pitch invasion and a supporter waving the corner flag after they equalised. But ultimately, I agree with Riyadh, it was still just, you know, an incredible watch and

And one that we'll remember for a very long time. And the most important thing, of course, with Everton's current run under David Moyes, they'll be having a Merseyside derby next season at their new stadium. Because a couple of months ago, that looked in doubt. That is now, without doubt, certain. Because they'll be staying in the Premier League.

Well, yes, I mean, it's another point added to the tally for David Moyes. He said he's called it another point to make sure that they are a Premier League club next year. We're still waiting to hear at this point. We'll hopefully get some more David Moyes a little bit later on. In the Telegraph, by the way, in the sports section, well, they've actually used both of your papers' headlines. Goodison Spark there from the sun and then underneath it, Mersey Mayhem. So, obviously, great minds think alike. In terms of Liverpool, though, Riyadh, seven points clear. I mean...

They've had a little bit of a wobble, but nothing crazy, I guess. You know, losing to PSV and a dead rubber in the Champions League, going out of the cup was a shock, obviously, to Plymouth. And then this. I wouldn't quite call it the wheels coming off. But, you know, is this something that, you know, this is now a test for Arnaz Slot? Yes, seven points cleared. But, you know, he has to make sure he can respond to what's happened at Goodison tonight.

I think it's in the interests of all three of us right now to sustain the interest in the Premier League all the way to the finish line. Look, there's seven points clear. I don't see them losing it. And I think a big part of that's going to also be down to what's in the chasing pack.

Now, we're going to be talking later, I'm fairly sure, about Kai Havertz, but Arsenal, looking at their front line, they are not in fit shape to chase down this Liverpool side. And I think, had Tarkowski not scored the goal at the end, we'd be talking about Liverpool being this team for all seasons and all styles. They can play beautifully. They can also...

they can be very functional in an ugly game. Second half up until Salah's goal, they'd done almost nothing, but they were getting the job done. We've seen that a few times this season. I can't see them slipping up. I think the next few weeks are going to be quite interesting. Wolves up next, I can't see that happening.

I can't see that sort of posing a significant problem, but they're going to have City on the horizon as well. I think they get through that one. I can't see it going wrong from this position. Seven points isn't massive, but there's 14 games to go. So, you know, anyone who's going to catch them, they're running out of runway pretty quickly. And I can't see this being anything other than

you know, a couple of isolated wobbles for Liverpool. I guess one of the reasons why, because obviously the nearest challengers, maybe the way you think this, Shreth, but...

Why Liverpool feel comfortable? It's because their nearest challengers have barely got any forwards left because they're all injured. And that's because Kai Havertz has been the latest added to the list. You can see there at the top of the back page of The Sun, Charlie, your paper, Kai out for the season. Look, I know he's not the most prolific marksman, but there's no doubting his commitment to the cause with Arsenal. And it seems like now Mikel Arteta is really starting to run out of options and with no option left.

to replace these players because the January transfer window is closed. Absolute disaster for Arteta. And I think he's going to face a couple of very difficult weeks now, both in terms of...

how he approaches the games. Uh, I guess it looks like it's going to be, um, Leandro Trossard, uh, playing up front, um, which is hardly ideal. Uh, and I think that the fans are starting to, to vent their frustration and rightly so. Arteta having really failed to, to address this problem in the summer. I sort of get it in January in terms of, they were saying they weren't going to spend big money on a player that they didn't really want, but they should equally, um,

should have reacted last summer because then they could have maybe looked at players that would have been achievable. Of course, January is very difficult to get someone that ideal striker. So Arsenal have spent a lot of money. We've got to remember that. But equally, they've not spent it in the right area because they did need backup. So you've just got

Yeah, Trossard, Raheem Sterling can play as a false nine as well, but he'll be out on the wing. But they've only really got three forwards now, Ethan Roneri as well. So that is not ideal for any team, let alone one that's got any hope of winning the title. But unfortunately, as we have said, seven points, Liverpool. They've got a player for every position. They will have another wobble, I'm sure of that.

But then, of course, they've got a terrific cup final to look forward to as well. But I think Liverpool will be fine. And Arsenal, yeah, I think Arteta is going to...

Yeah, get a bit of stick from the supporters, I think. And even more so, I guess, Riath, because, of course, Spurs did sign, admittedly, an unproven player, but they signed a player and have an option to buy this player. And, you know, Matty Stel could be that guy that, you know, is that superstar. And that would just be so hard for Arsenal fans to take. Could they have made more effort in January? I mean, how do you assess that situation?

I think it was, like Charlie said, disaster. It was a colossal mistake. Everyone could... You could spot it from...

could spot it from Pluto what Arsenal needed in that squad. I think when you go through it and you look at, say, whether it's Reece Nelson on loan, Fabio Vieira on loan, you know, I appreciate no one wants to break an agreement, but not even bringing back an attacking player. Now, look, obviously, they've lost Martinelli and Havertz

in the last game or since the last game and losing two. But to be only two players removed from having only three forward players, one of whom is Raheem Sterling, who with the best will in the world, I'd love to see reinvent himself. Arteta clearly doesn't trust him to start a game. He's given him about three starts of the season, none of which have been successful.

terribly impressive so far. Wanyeri I like the look of and then you've got Trossard but you don't have an out-and-out striker. To leave themselves in that position I think is absolutely extraordinary for a club of that size and those means to be in that position. You go to what they did with Ollie Watkins, every aspect of that approach looked like 11th hour desperation. It's like where is the plan for this club particularly when

you know, for all of the great intellectual capital within the Emirates Stadium, for none of them to be able to bring in a single aspect of cover up front, it's borderline shambolic. And that's not just being wise after the event. That's following through on what probably every person who's appeared on this show and anyone who's been to the Emirates Stadium this season has been saying since...

Since August, since the last transfer window, they've obviously had bad luck. Jesus' injury being one of them, but...

Like, how many times can the same club make the same mistake? This isn't just one transfer window we've seen this from with Arsenal. So quite what the failing is there, you know, they're probably better placed to explain it than the rest of us, but it looks like pretty chaotic thinking. So let's actually get to the story then in the back of the eye and mention the headline, We're Being Used.

why Saudi clubs think that Mo Salah is now going to stay at Liverpool. Riyadh, what's your take? Because it wasn't so long ago that they came with such high bids for Liverpool's star player. And now that he's doing so well, their point of view here is that he's using that to basically leverage it for his own contract negotiations. What do you think?

That's been my assumption of how this would play out all along. I think it would be completely out of kilter with where Mo Salah is in his career to go to Saudi Arabia right now. He's a rich man, arguably playing the best football of his career. I think it would have been one of the most dispiriting transfers in the history of football if Mo Salah had walked away from Liverpool at the peak of his powers to go and play Saudi Arabia.

In Saudi Arabia. Now, look, their interest in him has been serious, and he's made a big song and dance about his own contract position. I mean, this is a guy who...

hasn't spoken to any of us in the media for years. And, you know, there was that sort of period around Christmas when you quite literally couldn't shut him up about the subject of his contract. So clearly he's been batting his eyelids. It's a negotiating position. That of itself is not a new concept. But I couldn't ever, ever see him

taking that step. I've actually been disappointed with Salah at times around this because the instinct watching it is, you know, show some willingness. Now, obviously, none of us are

privy to the exact discussions that have been going on with Liverpool but it has felt at times like Mo Salah hasn't been willing to perhaps step closer towards the middle and and and and meet Liverpool somewhere halfway in terms into in terms of these discussions I'd be reluctant to say he's held a gun to their head but you know it's certainly in that direction it's um

So that's been this sort of soundtrack to the season. Actually, for me, with that, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, I'm all the more amazed by what Arnaud Slot's been able to build this season because any one of those could blow into the kind of crisis that could mess with the season. But no, I didn't... I never...

would say that I believe Mo Salah would leave and go to Saudi Arabia. And they've also got to realise when they're feeling used, well, why else do you go to play football in Saudi Arabia? You're not going there for the great standard of football. I would argue that there are aspects of the lifestyle out there as well, which aren't exactly appealing to a professional player and his family as well. You're going there for

the money, you are using them for the money. And if you're not going to go there, you're going to use their offer to improve the offer you might get at home. So if they're shocked, I would say they're incredibly naive in that position.

Let's go to the Guardian. Matt Hughes exclusive on the bottom of the back page. Levy could remain at Spurs in a potential Qatari takeover plan. Might not be the most positive news for Spurs fans. Obviously not the most popular man, is he, Daniel Levy? Charlie, this would be an interesting outcome. Should the Qataris actually complete a takeover at Spurs?

Well, Tottenham have been looking for extra investment over the last year or so. Daniel Levy has spoken about that and how, yeah, they need extra capital to continue to compete. Yes, first fans will read that and groan. I mean, I was at Aston Villa yesterday

the other night for the Tottenham game. I think I counted Tottenham fans singing for Levy to leave their club on nine occasions, which I think is probably a record. And I imagine the next game they'll probably break into double figures. It's Levy that's getting the heat at the moment. It's not Andrew Poster Coghlan. Of course, Daniel Levy does need to take an awful lot of credit for sorting Tottenham out, the brilliant stadium,

They do have spent money, Tottenham. I think that's a bit of a myth. They're having a real go at it, but unfortunately, the actual signings have not been great and actually the squad is just not big enough at the moment, which is why they've got all these problems, although their injury record has been an absolute nightmare. So, yes, one to keep an eye on, but I can see why Tottenham are such an attractive player.

Although whether anyone would be willing to actually buy the club outright, because I think Tottenham have been looking for, you know, three and a half, pushing four billion pounds or something crazy. Yeah, it would be. But the Qataris, maybe these people, that's what they're willing to do. And the feeling that Daniel Levy would be the right man just to keep the club going.