Liverpool Echo

Tottenham Hotspur's 5-2 Champions League loss at Atletico Madrid was damaging in more ways than one ahead of their Premier League trip to Liverpool

If it was a bad night for Liverpool in the Champions League, then it was a horrendous one for Tottenham Hotspur, their visitors to Anfield on Sunday in the Premier League.

Liverpool will still be favourites to progress to the quarter-finals despite losing their round of 16 first-leg tie to Galatasaray 1-0 in Turkey. But for Tottenham, their time in European football's top club competition looks almost certainly over after they were thrashed 5-2 by Atletico Madrid in Spain.

It was freefalling Spurs' sixth straight defeat in all competitions and if that wasn't bad enough, they are facing the prospect of now being without 11 first-team players for the showdown with the Reds this weekend.

Tottenham are not being helped by an injury crisis and they already have attackers Wilson Odobert, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski andMohammed Kudus sidelined along with midfielders Rodrigo Bentancur andLucas Bergvall and defenders Ben Davies and Destiny Udogie.

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Another defender, Micky van de Ven, will also miss the Liverpool match. He is suspended after being sent off in Tottenham's 3-1 home loss to Crystal Palace, which left Spurs just one point above the Premier League relegation places and in very real danger of going down for the first time since the English top flight was rebranded in 1992.

And to make matters worse, captain and centre-back Cristian Romero and midfielder Joao Palhinha are also doubtful for the encounter.

They clashed heads toward the end of the loss to Atletico and new manager Igor Tudor, who has now lost his opening four games in charge of Tottenham, admitted afterwards he could not confirm whether they would be allowed to play under FA concussion protocols.

He said: "I don't know. We will see. I don't know.

"Also, an example of the moment. It is incredible. It is incredible. We finished the game and we see the two players and there is Micky (Van de Ven), who is out with a red card.

"Sometimes it is difficult to explain. It looks like everything is against us. Incredible things."

Another question Tudor will have to answer is who starts in goal against defending Premier League champions Liverpool after his decision to drop first-choice Guglielmo Vicario for Antonin Kinsky backfired spectacularly against Atletico Madrid.

The 22-year-old was substituted after just 17 minutes after conceding four goals, two of which came from his direct errors.

Tudor said: “In my 15 years coaching, I never do that. It was necessary to preserve the guy, to preserve the team.

“Incredible situation, nothing to comment, you will see. It was, before the game, the right choice to do in the moment like we are.

“Pressure on Vicario, another competition, Toni is a very good goalkeeper. So, it was, for me, the right decision.

“I explained to Toni, also speaking after, that he is the right guy and a good goalkeeper. Unfortunately, it happened in this big game these mistakes.

“He was sorry. He made an excuse for the team. The team is with him. Me too. I was speaking with him, he understands the moment.

“He understands why he (had to) go out. So, as I said before, he is a very good goalkeeper. We are all together. It is not about one player, so, it has happened.”

Tudor's decision to haul Kinsky off and bring on Vicario was roundly criticised by former goalkeepers - particularly Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel, who said on CBS’ coverage of the Champions League tie: “He substitutes him, that is going to have ramifications for the rest of his career. He’s absolutely killed his career.”

Commentating for the BBC, former ex-Tottenham No.1 Paul Robinson described Tudor’s decision to substitute Kinsky as “confidence-destroying” and added: “I have never seen that on a football pitch.”

Speaking on TNT Sports, another former England goalkeeper, Joe Hart, said: “My heart is absolutely broken for him (Kinsky). He had a horrible 14 minutes, that slip and the third goal. I don’t know what to say. I am just heartbroken for the lad. This Tottenham team is all over the place.”

Ex-Manchester United keeper David De Gea, now in Serie A with Fiorentina, offered his support on X when he said: “No-one who hasn’t been a goalkeeper can understand how difficult it is to play in this position. Keep your head up and you will go again.”

Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson was the subject on January transfer window interest from Tottenham Hotspur as he entered the final six months of his contract

Andy Robertson says the decision to shun January interest from Tottenham Hotspur and stay with Liverpool was his - insisting that talks over his future will remain private until a resolution is found.

Robertson was a surprise target for Spurs late in the transfer window and Liverpool were happy to listen to what their long-serving left-back wanted before an injury to Joe Gomez, at Bournemouth on January 24, depleted an already stretched defensive department further.

The call was taken for the Scotland skipper to stay on Merseyside and speaking after Friday's 3-1 win over Wolves in the FA Cup, he stated that the choice was his to make as he opened up on what the future may hold for him as he prepares to turn 32 next month.

Robertson, who has been at the Reds since 2017, is entering the final months of his Anfield contract and hinted that he is open to extending his stay at the club even further.

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"There was obviously interest there - there were discussions had with both sets of clubs," the former Hull City defender confirmed. "But the decision was that I wanted to stay. We stayed at Liverpool and that was the decision made.

"I was never not committed. I've been committed to Liverpool for the last eight and a half or nine years now and I'll be committed until I'm no longer needed. That's always been my mindset. This club has given me everything and I've given this club everything.

"It's been a fantastic relationship so hopefully that continues and obviously January happened, but it is now gone. Now we move forward and like I said, my focus never came off trying to help the lads on the pitch and in training.

"Whatever was happening behind the scenes happened, and all I can say is that I kept focusing on football.

"I've always said that [the talks] will stay between me and the club. I don't think it will get played out in public. It is not one of them. I have got an amazing relationship with Richard Hughes and with Mike Gordon and Michael Edwards.

"I've had a good relationship with these people and these people brought me to the football club. They have helped make me who I am, so in that respect, we've had a fantastic relationship. I think out of respect to them, and they have respected me, then the conversations will be in-house.

"When a decision is made, and we're getting to the point where I only have three months left on my contract, it will be announced to you guys."

Robertson, who scored the opening goal on Friday before supplying Mohamed Salah for the second at Molineux, rejected suggestions the rest of the campaign will be about him ensuring he 'goes out on a high' after nearly a decade of decorated service.

He added: "That is not really in my thought process. My thought process is I want to win trophies at Liverpool. That has always been my focus. Every season, I want to win trophies, whether that is an FA Cup, the Carabao Cup, the Champions League, the Premier League.

"I always want to win trophies because the club demands it and the fans demand it. That has never changed. All of our focus is on trying to make this season as successful as possible. It's not gone the way that we wanted in the league - that is clear.

"We're out of the Carabao Cup, so we have got two chances. If we have more performances like we did tonight, then we have a chance. If we play like Tuesday then we have no chance. So we need to try and find that consistency.

"Hopefully at the end of the season we can all have a smile on our faces and that is obviously what we are working towards."

Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven has been linked with a summer switch to Liverpool, but former Reds defender Glen Johnson isn't so sure it should happen

Under-fire Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven has risked putting potential suitors Liverpool off signing him in the summer, according to ex-Reds full-back Glen Johnson.

Centre-back Van de Ven, a Dutch international team-mate of Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Ryan Gravenberch and Jeremie Frimpong, was sent off in Tottenham's 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Thursday, and as a result will miss Spurs' trip to Anfield in the Premier League next weekend.

Spurs could enter that game in the relegation zone follow a dire run of form which has seen them slide down the table and led to the sacking of Thomas Frank as manager last month.

Former Brentford boss Frank has been replaced by ex-Marseille, Lazio and Juventus boss Igor Tudor on an interim bases, but the Croatian has lost all three of his matches in charge to heighten relegation fears in north London.

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Tudor's first match in charge against Arsenal saw Van de Ven seemingly ignoring his instructions to push up the pitch, with that incident coming a few weeks after the defender was seen snubbing Frank as he left the field following a defeat to Chelsea.

Former Reds right-back Johnson says such behaviour won't endear Van de Ven to potential new clubs should he leave Spurs in the summer.

"Managers need to know that ability alone isn't enough," Johnson told BOYLE Sports.

"Players need to be willing to do what their teammates, the manager, and the team require in games. It's not nice to see someone publicly disagreeing with in-house decisions like Micky van de Ven did.

"Disagreeing in the dressing room or on the training ground is fine, as you want the best for everyone. But to do it publicly is off-putting. It gives the impression that a player is better than the rest. And maybe he is, but that's not the point. You don't want to see that.

Johnson also questioned Van de Ven's suitability for a move to the likes of Liverpool or Manchester United, pointing to Tottenham's form this season as evidence.

"Van de Ven at Liverpool or Manchester United? There'd probably be a lot of (Tottenham) players that people would want to look at, but the ones they are looking at are still the players who are in this team and in a relegation battle.

"So there would be a couple of gems you could get on the cheap, for sure. But, as I say, if they were that good, they wouldn't be in this position."

In this week's Royal Blue column, Joe Thomas writes that the roles played by the Everton fanbase and captain Seamus Coleman were hugely significant in the club's survival fights and that Tottenham Hotspur may need to find similar inspirations to save their top flight status

The car crash Tottenham Hotspur are hurtling into is one Everton supporters know all too well. A talented squad, wracked by injury and undermined by instability off-the-pitch, is buckling under the pressure on it and, all of a sudden, the momentum is only taking the team in one direction.

That the club might be ‘too big’ or the team ‘too good’ to go down are arguments that will not hold much water in the coming weeks. Spurs will have to save themselves if they are to avoid a final day reckoning when Everton visit north London for what could be a game of epic consequences.

The Blues, of course, have had too many of those in recent years - twice the battle for survival required wins in the final week of the season. Thank goodness those days are over.

Everton made it through those dark moments due to several factors. Whether Tottenham can get out of their mess may now be down to whether they can emulate them.

A good place to start would be to acknowledge the situation is still salvageable. Spurs are still above the relegation places and with nine games to go they have time on their side.

It was at this stage in 2022 when the Blues suffered the damaging 3-2 loss at Burnley that consigned them to a relegation dogfight with nine matches to go. The turning point in that battle did not come until May 1, when a 1-0 win over Chelsea, inspired by the first of the coach welcomes that would help so much in the weeks and years to come and Jordan Pickford’s heroics from Cesar Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger, sealed the win that changed the course of that season.

The following year, under Sean Dyche, the improbable thrashing of Brighton & Hove Albion on the south coast came one week later - on May 8. That changed Everton’s destiny and moved the club’s fate into its own hands. So there is time for Tottenham to regather and find a way to ultimately finish above at least one of Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and West Ham United.

Key in both of those run-ins for Everton was the support of the fans. The cameras picked up Spurs supporters streaming out en masse at half-time as they trailed 3-1 to Crystal Palace on Thursday night. Those fans have every right to question why their club has ended up in this mess and protests over the running of Spurs are being planned around upcoming games. In both 2022 and 2023 there was serious, legitimate discontent over how the Blues were being run. What the Blues fanbase, often managed by the 1878s, did so well was separate the frustration with those in the boardroom from their desire to support their players and essentially run parallel campaigns.

The ability to split their energy so successfully was crucial. Those player welcomes against Chelsea and Crystal Palace and the crowds outside Finch Farm when the squad left the training ground for Leicester City the weekend after the Chelsea win were huge. They were the three wins that saved Everton.

The atmosphere generated inside stadiums up and down the country was phenomenal, with the celebrations over the win at Leicester going viral and taking grip of US sports coverage. If Spurs supporters can find a way to provide scrutiny of the club hierarchy without diminishing the support levels for their players when they are on the pitch, particularly in their wonderful new stadium, they will have a strong chance of survival.

What the Bluesalso had through this period was a talisman who was able to pull together the players and the supporters in a way that fuelled and encouraged each side. Countless managers have spoken of the value of club captain Seamus Coleman at Everton and his influence in the relegation fights under Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche was integral.

Coleman has often spoken of living in Liverpool and the insight that provides him as he comes across Blues every day. His blood runs Royal Blue and Moyes’ insistence that he should have a future at the club whether or not he continues his playing career beyond the summer is just one strand of evidence in the overwhelming case that can be made to argue that he ‘gets Everton’.

The Irishman found ways to pull the dressing room and the stands together. Even when he was unable to help on the pitch through injury he was a galvanising figure - remember him fist-pumping the away end at Leicester as he was being stretchered off with a serious knee injury in that six-pointer in May 2023?

What Tottenham need now is a figure who can inspire that unity, one who the supporters and the players can get behind. That is even more important given the instability in the dugout, with interim manager Igor Tudor under intense pressure.

Dominic Solanke, who gave Spurs the lead against Palace, appeared to understand the gravity of the situation after the game as he said: "We obviously need to realise the position that we are in. We know it's been so difficult this season with the injuries, but we can't change that now. Us players on the pitch need to take responsibility and ultimately change it as soon as possible.”

One important factor both sides do have in common is Brazilian forward Richarlison. He played through injury to help save Everton under Lampard, his match-winner in that defining victory over Chelsea sparking his iconic flare celebration.

The 28-year-old is a player who knows what it takes to get over the line in a mess like this and that experience should be drawn upon.

Liverpool now know they will face Atletico Madrid or one of Galatasaray or Juventus in the Champions League round of 16

A familiar foe potentially lies in wait for Liverpool in the Champions League round of 16. Atletico Madrid's 4-1 home win over Club Brugge on Tuesday (February 24) means they will face the Reds or their Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur next month.

Atletico ran out convincing winners at the Wanda Metropolitano, where Liverpool famously lifted their sixth European Cup in 2019 after beating Tottenham 2-0 in the final, after being held to a 3-3 draw by Brugge in Belgium last week.

The Spanish outfit took the lead in the 23rd minute when Alexander Sorloth's shot squirmed through the hands of former Reds goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

But Brugge restored parity 13 minutes later when Joel Ordonez, who was linked with a move to Liverpool in the January transfer window, headed home from a corner.

Atletico restored their advaqntage three minutes after the restart through Johnny Cardoso and put the tie beyond doubt in the final 14 minutes thanks to ex-Crystal Palace striker Alexander Sorloth, who completed his first Champions League hat-trick with two further goals to seal a 7-4 aggregate success.

Should Atleti be paired with Liverpool, it would be the fifth time they and their long-serving manager Diego Simeone have faced the defending Premier League champions in European football's premier club competition since 2020.

Simeone's side knocked the Reds out of the Champions League in March 2020, winning 3-2 at Anfield to secure a 4-2 aggregate victory, in what was the final major football match in England before the sport was shut down out due to the spread of coronavirus.

The clubs have met three times in the group stages since then, with Liverpool winning on each occasion, including back in September when an injury-time Virgil van Dijk header earned a 3-2 home victory.

The Reds' second potential round-of-16 opponents will be confirmed on Wednesday (February 25). It will either be Juventus or Galatasaray.

The Turkish champions are strong favourites to progress from the knockout phase play-offs after beating Juventus 5-2 in the first leg in Istanbul last week.

Liverpool lost 1-0 at Galatasaray earlier this season before recovering to win five of their remaining six group games to finish third behind Bayern Munich and Arsenal in the league phase standings.

The draw for the round of 16 takes place on Friday (February 27). And here is everything you need to know.

When is the Champions League draw?

The draw is on Friday (February 27) at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. Proceedings will get underway at 11am UK time.

As well as revealing the round of 16, the draw will also determine the teams that sides could potentially face if they progress to the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.

Champions League knockout phase play-offs round results and fixtures

Tuesday (February 24)

Newcastle United 3-2 Qarabag (9-3 on aggregate)

Atletico Madrid 4-1 Club Brugge (7-4 on aggregate)

Inter Milan 1-2 Bodo/Glimt (2-5 on aggregate)

Bayer Leverkusen 0-0 Olympiacos (2-0 on aggregate)

Wednesday (February 25)

PSG vs Monaco (3-2)

Juventus vs Galatasaray (2-5)

Real Madrid vs Benfica (1-0)

Atalanta vs Borussia Dortmund (0-2)

Champions League round of 16 draw as it stands

Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting and Manchester City finished in the top eight of the league phase to progress to the round of 16 stage, where they have been joined by Newcastle United, Atletico Madrid, Bodo/Glimt and Bayer Leverkusen.

Here is the round of 16 draws as it stands before Wednesday's (February 25) final knockout phase play-offs round second legs.

Monaco/Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea/Barcelona

Newcastle United vs Chelsea/Barcelona

Galatasaray/Juventus vs Liverpool/Tottenham Hotspur

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool/Tottenham Hotspur

Benfica/Real Madrid vs Sporting/Manchester City

Bodo Glimt vs Sporting/Manchester City

Borussia Dortmund/Atalanta vs Arsenal/Bayern Munich

Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal/Bayern Munich

When are the round of 16 ties played?

The first legs will take place on March 10-11, with the second legs played a week later on March 17-18.

Liverpool will have home advantage in the second leg.

Full Champions League knockout round dates

Last 16: March 10-11 and March 17-18

Quarter-finals: April 7-8 and April 14-15

Semi-finals: April 28-29 and May 5-6

Final: May 30

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall Tottenham transfer truth clear - that won't be why he'd return to London

Claims that Everton are having to fend off interest from Tottenham Hotspur for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are bizarre

Claims that Everton are having to fend off interest from Tottenham Hotspur for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall have to be one of the strangest transfer rumours of the year.

With a 13-day gap in between Blues fixtures, it seems that tittle-tattle is being used to fill the void as Football Insider report that sources have told them Everton are set to resist attempts to prise Dewsbury-Hall away from the club and are ready to take a firm stance that they will “definitely” not sell the 27-year-old with Spurs linked with a move for him.

Just where this Tottenham speculation has come from remains a mystery, but the thought that either Hill Dickinson Stadium chiefs or the player himself would be looking to entertain any such switch seems utterly bizarre. Back in the summer of 2022, Richarlison’s transfer from Everton to Spurs was negotiated across the dining table in the elegant surroundings of Scott’s in Mayfair.

The plush seafood restaurant sells caviar and boasts an elegant oyster and champagne bar, but the Blues’ late chairman Bill Kenwright still left with a bad taste in his mouth as he felt that opposite number Daniel Levy had his club over a barrel as they needed to sell to satisfy PSR issues and ended up accepting an offer for the Brazilian for some £20million less than their valuation of the player. To add insult to injury, Everton ultimately were still deemed to have breached that financial year, and a subsequent brace of points deductions loomed for that and the following 12 months.

Those dark days are over now for the Blues though. Playing on the Mersey waterfront, they’re now based at a venue that financial experts estimate will bring in an additional £60million a year in revenue and they have ambitious new owners in place with The Friedkin Group (Dan Friedkin currently ranks at 316 in the world on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, a daily ranking of the world’s wealthiest people, with an estimated fortune of $11billion (approximately £8.13billion).

David Moyes, the club’s most consistent manager of the modern era, who delivered nine top-eight finishes (a position they currently occupy) in his first spell at Goodison Park, including their highest-ever Premier League position of fourth in 2004/05, is back at the helm. The Glaswegian gaffer also played a pivotal role in prising Dewsbury-Hall away from Chelsea.

The Nottingham-born player was on Moyes’ radar when he first returned in January but speaking last November, Dewsbury-Hall was adamant he made the right choice after making his £25million switch in August. He said: “I did have a fair few options after a successful season. After speaking to many people, family members, people I trust, and speaking to people at Everton, if I was going to leave a club like Chelsea, it was everything I wanted to go to: a new project; a new stadium; an exciting future; plans.

“That’s something I wanted to be at the forefront of. If I’m at the start of this new chapter, I think that’s a very important part of a club’s history.

“I spoke to the manager, he was fantastic. He explained exactly what he wanted from me and what he wants going in the future. I respect him a load because I appreciate what he’s done. I think he’s the same as me.

“So, it just felt right. Ever since I’ve come through the door, I know it’s the right decision because of the way I’ve been treated, the way my family has been treated, everything has just been first class.

“It’s nice that’s happened because it’s made me realise I definitely made the right decision and it makes me excited about what we can do in the future. It makes me excited just to come in every day and keep improving and see what happens.”

He added: “The feeling of the club. It feels like a real family club, I don’t really know how to explain it really.

“The fanbase is so big and it means so much to the people, which I love because football’s my life and it feels like it’s their life as well. We’re sort of on the same page.

“I see how passionate they are and how much they want to win, and it just resonates with me because that’s how I live my life. I’m not saying that the other clubs weren’t like that, but I just feel like Everton’s on a different level.”

The way Dewsbury-Hall talks, he gets Everton. It’s the same with the way he plays.

After an altercation with Nottingham Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White late on in the Blues’ 3-0 win at Hill Dickinson Stadium in December, he was asked what happened and replied: “I don’t know, I mean, you know what it’s like when the temperature gets a bit hot.

“It’s all handbags. But look, I feel like if you play for this club, you’ve got to show a bit about you. It is what it is, but I enjoyed that.”

Indeed, while he enjoyed his year in London at Stamford Bridge, picking up winners’ medals in the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup, why would Dewsbury-Hall want to swap what he’s got right now to join basket case Spurs who finished 17th on 38 points last season but promptly sacked Ange Postecoglou, the manager who delivered their first major trophy in 17 years and have just axed Thomas Frank as they sit five points above the relegation zone?

Other than Everton’s final five away fixtures of the season, the only reason for Dewsbury-Hall to be returning to the capital any time soon is to indulge in his “guilty pleasure” of musical theatre and take in a West End show. At least Mr Kenwright would have approved of that!

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Didi Hamann believes Micky van de Ven will be on Liverpool's transfer radar this season - along with another Tottenham Hotspur defender

Didi Hamann believes Tottenham Hotspur star Micky van de Ven will be "on the radar" of Liverpool this summer. The Reds agreed a deal to sign Jeremy Jacquet on transfer deadline day with the highly-rated Rennes defender joining in the summer for an initial £55m, potentially rising to £60m.

However, Ibrahima Konate is inside the final few months of his contract, Joe Gomez was close to leaving the club in the closing days of last summer's window, while Giovanni Leoni is still recovering from a serious injury.

And Hamann, who won the 2005 Champions League with the Reds, thinks Netherlands international Van de Ven will be near the top of any shortlist for defensive additions.

"We know in football how important pace is going forward, but also at the same time you need quick defenders, and the more fast ones you've got, the better," Hamann told Thunderpick.io.

"I think Micky van de Van is one of the quickest, if not the quickest, in the Premier League. So, yeah, he'd certainly be one who's on the radar.

"And there's a player from Spurs at Hamburg now who's making huge waves, Luka Vuskovic, a Croatian guy, 18. He leads the defence. They got a point against Munich last week. He scored, and he's on Tottenham's books.

"I think Ivan Rakitic came out and said he's such a good player, he should go to Bayern Munich, they should be signing him. But obviously, they can only sign him if Spurs let him go.

"So, I think the centre-back position at Spurs will be very interesting what's happening in the summer because Van de Ven, the way he stood well here for Wolfsburg, I always liked him as a player.

"I think he's a player who strives to do better. I'm not sure whether he's too happy with the way things are going, I suppose, at the moment."

Hamann continued: "If Ibrahima Konate leaves, they (Liverpool) probably need at least one more player because I think it's a big risk.

"Jeremy Jacquet is a very promising young player. Bayern Munich were very interested; they thought they might have had him because it was not clear whether Dayot Upamecano was going to extend his contract.

"You just have to wait and see. I think what will be important is that when a young player comes into a struggling side, it doesn't help him.

@Hopefully, in the summer, things will have settled down because it makes it a lot easier for a young player to come in and do what he does best.

‘If Konate was to go, which is a possibility or maybe likely, I certainly think they need at least one more defender."

Liverpool have previously been linked with signing Tottenham Hotspur star Micky van de Ven before agreeing a deal for Jeremy Jacquet on deadline day

Liverpool have been told why they still have a chance of being able to sign Tottenham Hotspur star Micky van de Ven, even after agreeing a deal for Jeremy Jacquet. Transfer deadline day was mostly quiet for the Reds, but they did announce one signing with confirmation that a deal had been agreed with Rennes for the signing of Jacquet.

It has been confirmed that Jacquet will officially move to Liverpool in the summer after spending the rest of the season with Rennes.

Liverpool had agreed a £60million deal with Rennes for the signing of the 20-year-old central defender, which includes a £55million initial fee with a further £5million in add-ons.

The Reds had fended off reported competition from Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal for the signing of Jacquet, who will link up with the squad at Anfield ahead of next season.

Before Liverpool announced the deal to sign Jacquet, the Reds had been linked with signing Van de Ven from Tottenham.

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The last few weeks have seen Liverpool heavily linked with strengthening their defence, with Lutsharel Geertruida emerging as a target before deadline day, even though a move never materialised.

Van de Ven is another reported target for Liverpool, and former Premier League manager Tim Sherwood believes that, despite agreeing to sign Jacquet, a move for the Tottenham star could still be on the cards.

"Is Micky van de Ven to Liverpool off? All Micky has got to do is to prove his fitness between now and the end of the season but that will make it very difficult for Tottenham," Sherwood told CasinoStugan.

"Van de Ven is what I call a hierarchy player, players who when they are fit, they will play. They are the players that fans crave, and Tottenham fans want those top players like Harry Kane.

"When he was fit, you knew he was playing, and they've only got one of those players at the moment and that's Micky van de Ven. If he's fit, he plays. Other than him, Tottenham's players are all a much of a muchness.

"I think Tottenham have got more chance of keeping Micky van de Ven than they have of bringing in another one of these players. That is the issue."

Sherwood also believes that Van de Ven will be on a transfer shortlist for a host of clubs, including Liverpool, this summer, with Man United also mentioned as a potential suitor.

The former Spurs boss went on to explain why the north London club still hope to keep Van de Ven at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, despite the ongoing speculation.

"If he proves his fitness, I think there will be a queue around the block for him," Sherwood said. "Hopefully Tottenham can keep hold of him but you know what it's like when a player decides he wants to leave. Unfortunately, if you don't let him go, you're left without the money and the player in the end.

"People may be shocked by that but it all depends on who they have as manager in the summer because they've got it wrong so many times before and it looks like they have got it right at the moment.

"United are a club that can go from where they have been to the top quicker than most because they've got the brand power, the money to do it. They can pay the big wages for the big players.

"They missed the boat before. They could have signed Declan Rice and Harry Kane. Instead, they ended up with seven or eight signings who were alright but mostly very poor.

"They won't want to miss the boat this time on Van de Ven. He will certainly be at the top of a lot of lists at any number of clubs and Tottenham will have to fight tooth and nail to keep hold of him.

"I think the only real way they keep hold of him is if Micky [Van de Ven] decides that there might be a bright future ahead at Tottenham, and right now they're down in 14th in the Premier League and out of the running for the two domestic cups. They're flying high in the Champions League but there are stiffer tests to come in that competition."

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A Liverpool star has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur in the January transfer window, with former Reds boss Jurgen Klopp having previously made his thoughts clear on the player

Jurgen Klopp has already made his thoughts clear on Tottenham transfer target Curtis Jones by heaping praise on the Liverpool midfielder. With Thomas Frank under huge pressure at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and injuries mounting with each passing game, Spurs turned to the transfer market earlier this month, bringing in former Chelsea star Conor Gallagher.

However, with Pape Sarr falling ill at AFCON, Rodrigo Bentancur out for a while due to injury and Joao Palhinha missing the 2-1 defeat to West Ham on Saturday, another midfield addition might be needed in north London during this transfer window.

Reports suggest Jones, who has seen limited playtime under Arne Slot at Anfield this season, is a player Tottenham have considered. The Englishman has the endorsement of Klopp, who helped nurse him through Liverpool's academy ranks.

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The Times claim Spurs are keen on the 24-year-old, who has only started 10 Premier League matches this season, although it remains to be seen whether this interest persists following Tottenham’s signing of Gallagher from Atletico Madrid.

Speaking in 2020, Klopp was left amazed by a young Jones after he delivered a standout performance in a 7-2 Carabao Cup victory against Lincoln. He had been gradually integrating the midfielder into Liverpool's first team.

When asked about Jones, who scored two goals in the win, Klopp was full of admiration and said: "First half really good, start of the second half really good.

"There is still space for improvement but everyone knows my opinion of Curtis Jones, he is an exceptional talent and we will have some fun with him I am pretty sure in the future.

"Both goals were difficult. The second one the first touch was absolutely exceptional between two opponents and then he opens up and sees the opportunity and finishes it off."

In the following years, Jones would become a key member of Klopp's squad, securing two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cup trophies.

When Klopp left Liverpool in 2024, a documentary was produced about his time in charge and he once again had some positive and choice words about the English midfielder.

"He was never in doubt that he will make it, which I love that so much," said Klopp. "It's so different to my personality. I have no idea how I arrived here, he knows he's absolutely in the right place.

"I always could understand the player. That they hated me if they didn't come on or didn't start, or whatever, because I was no different.

"So when I go and tell him 'Curtis, you have to pass the ball more often'. And he has to learn that the ball from now on when he passes to whoever, there's a good chance he will do something special, or you'll get it back."

Liverpool are not expected to make any signings before the January transfer window closes, but Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa could be on the move

Liverpool have less than two weeks to secure their first senior signing of the winter transfer window. The Reds brought in Mor Talla Ndiaye earlier this month, but he is set to join their under-21s.

James Norris is the only player to have left so far, having been signed by Shelbourne on a permanent basis on New Year's Day. At this point in the market, departures are more the talk of Anfield than arrivals, with several players attracting interest from clubs across Europe.

The ECHO provides an update on the latest transfer rumours involving the Reds, with a focus on Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa.

Curtis Jones' Premier League interest

Tottenham Hotspur have expressed interest in Curtis Jones, as reported by The Times. Spurs have already secured Conor Gallagher this winter and could now bring Jones together with his former England teammate.

The duo have twice played for the senior side together, having previously teamed up for the under-21s. Both will be hoping to make it back into Thomas Tuchel's squad for the World Cup this summer.

Gallagher has already made a move for more game time and played the full 90 minutes on his debut for Spurs. Jones, on the other hand, has started all but one of Liverpool's last 10 matches, the only exception being the 0-0 draw with Arsenal, when he was left on the bench.

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Federico Chiesa faces a pivotal week

According to Calciomercato, Juventus still view Federico Chiesa as a prime candidate to bolster their attack this month. The Italian publication reports that Liverpool are seeking between £13million and £17million for the winger.

It's also reported that the Reds are keen on a permanent departure, while the Turin side would favour a loan deal with an option to buy. Chiesa seems eager for a return and is reportedly willing to lower his wage demands to facilitate a move.

The return of Mohamed Salah from the Africa Cup of Nations could potentially pave the way for Chiesa's exit. With the Egyptian star back in action, Chiesa's role under Arne Slot could diminish even further.

However, during the summer, the Italian expressed contentment at Anfield, stating: "I am playing for one of the best teams in the world. I just have to wait and be ready and prove that I can play for this team. The coach has treated me very well."

For the latest news and breaking news, visit liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/liverpool-fc. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter @‌LivEchoLFC - the official Liverpool ECHO LFC Twitter account - for all the latest LFC news as it happens in real time.

We're also on Facebook/LiverpoolEchoLFC - your must-see LFC news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.