Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson insists Everton 'are on track' to build their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
Everton have handed architectural duties for the proposed stadium to UK firm Pattern - as planned - with design architect Dan Meis last week issuing a strongly-worded message on social media confirming he was no longer involved in the project.
Pattern worked with Meis on the designs and are now teamed with contractors Laing O'Rourke on the stadium plan as the club await a planning decision and are able to advise on what is required to meet British building rules and regulations.
Everton insisted last week the project remained on course and Anderson has echoed those sentiments.
"It's not necessarily an update but I know the club are determined, as we are as a council, to make the stadium a reality," he told Capital Liverpool News.
"Yes, okay, Dan Meis, for whatever reason, hasn't been kept on by Laing O'Rourke, those who have been chosen to develop the stadium, and that's something internal I can't comment on because I don't know the reasons why.
"What I can comment on is that Everton Football Club are on track to build the stadium. I spoke to Farhad Moshiri a couple of weeks ago and everything is fine.
"Everything in that respect is going to the plan they have in place. Clearly Covid has delayed that a little bit but I guess by the end of the year we'll see activity taking place on the site if not beforehand."
