EXCLUSIVE: Everton legend Peter Reid believes his former club should still be giving the cup competitions their best shot despite the lack of numbers in their squad
Peter Reid prior to Everton's final game at Goodison Park against Southampton on May 18, 2025
Peter Reid prior to Everton's final game at Goodison Park against Southampton on May 18, 2025(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
View Image
Everton legend Peter Reid admits he’d love David Moyes’ side to go on a cup run even though they have one of the smallest squads in the Premier League.
Although the Blues’ stay-away and now wantaway owners The Friedkin Group performed a dramatic U-turn on plans to cash in on home-grown teenager Harrison Armstrong, who was set to be sold to Nottingham Forest for £40million before fans threatened to riot, they still pocketed over £100million on deadline day.
That has left Everton with a first-team squad of 18 outfield players that contains just one striker, one left-back and one right-back. Out of that group, Jarrad Branthwaite (concussion protocol) and Jack Grealish (sickness) both missed the 2-0 defeat at Arsenal on Saturday, while Vitalii Mykolenko was forced off after 74 minutes through injury.
Meanwhile, summer signing Christian Norgaard, working his way back to fitness, has yet to start a game and looked well off the pace when coming on as a substitute for his only appearance to date against Chelsea.
READ MORE: Seamus Coleman slams TFG's Everton transfer shambles - 'Who sells a striker before you get one in?'
READ MORE: Merlin Rohl details true thoughts on playing right-back for Everton and changes he has to make
Nevertheless, Reid, who won two League Championships, an FA Cup and European Cup-Winners’ Cup with Everton and was described by manager Howard Kendall as the club’s most important signing since the Second World War, believes there is still cope for a season on more than one front.
David Moyes’ men can make it through to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup if they defeat Newcastle United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Thursday night in the first of back-to-back fixtures against the Magpies before a Premier League trip to St James’ Park on Monday.
Set Liverpool Echo as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value.
Google Preferred Source Badge
Google Preferred Source Badge
Reid told the ECHO: “I know Iliman Ndiaye went in the end and they sold Beto too, so you’re left wondering whether we’re a bit short on numbers. I just hope there’s not a run of injuries that leave us down to the bare bones, you always worry about that.
“I love cup runs. Having not won anything since 1995, as we all know and we’re all getting reminded, a cup run would bring more games but I’m all for it.
“People might say it’s a Catch-22 situation, but I just think it’s good if you do well in the cups. I would love Everton to win a cup at Wembley for their supporters.”
Reid has joined the likes of former Liverpool pair Emile Heskey and Paul Stewart plus Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Alison Bender as part of an elite squad to promote Football Safety App.
The move comes as clubs and authorities continue to look for faster, more discreet ways for supporters, staff and players to report abuse in and around grounds as well as online.
The FSA has been designed to tackle all forms of abuse around sport by allowing users to report incidents, suspicious behaviour or areas of concern instantly to a 24-hour control room, where reports are received, logged and acted on responsibly.
Where do you think Everton will finish this season?
Everton boss David Moyes
European placesTop 1010th-15th
The 70-year-old from Huyton said: “The 1970s and 80s were a bit lively. Anyone who knows me knows that I was an aggressive player on the pitch. I got a lot of stick and I gave it back. Back in the day, I was spat on and suffered verbal abuse.
“Over the years, the game has changed and behaviour at grounds has got a lot better. But I’ve seen abuse of black players, which is why I got involved in supporting ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ and why I have now become an ambassador for the FSA.
“That behaviour is just not acceptable in the modern game. Families are going to matches and they shouldn’t be hearing bad language. Football, and sport in general, should be safe and enjoyable to watch and to be part of.
“The majority of matches are not too bad; it is social media that is one of the biggest problems now.
“In a modern world, an app like this is the future. Everyone has a phone in their hand, and the app makes it easy to report any form of abuse as you hear it. It is discreet, easy to use… I’m all for it to help make the games safer for supporters and players and everyone in it.”
Since its launch, the technology has been welcomed for its practical, data-driven approach to safeguarding and its aim of creating a football environment where everyone can participate safely, free from abuse.
The app is free to download and use, and the team behind it is continuing to work with clubs, leagues and supporter groups to expand its use across the sport. For more information, visit www.footballsafetyapp.com.