Joe Thomas - Five at the back again but new signings start
Events of the past week create a few questions to address when deciding how I would set Everton out today. The signings of Idrissa Gueye and James Garner boost the midfield options while the move to four at the back at Leeds United came as a surprise.
Today I would return to five at the back. I liked Frank Lampard’s switch on Tuesday and thought there were positives - most notably performances showing Nathan Patterson and Conor Coady can play in a four. But Leeds did still create chances and this is a dangerous Liverpool side. In the Anfield derby a few months ago, Everton were resolute with five at the back, forcing their opponents out wide and dealing with balls into the box with comfort until the second half breakthrough.
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I also think Everton’s best form of attack has come through the centre backs spreading the ball out to the wing backs or targeting gaps in opponents’ back line. James Tarkowski hitting 30 yard balls to find Patterson in space has been a nice theme of the opening games and if Patterson can get behind Liverpool’s full-backs it may be an avenue for success.
I would play three in central midfield and introduce Idrissa Gueye immediately. He knows the occasion and could provide much needed solidity alongside Amadou Onana and Alex Iwobi.
Up top I’m calling for Anthony Gordon and Neal Maupay to play almost as wide forwards, looking to pick up balls into the channels and then run at Liverpool’s centre backs. There isn’t a match up today in which Everton’s forwards can challenge in the air, unless Salomon Rondon is used - or if Iwobi and Gueye can allow Onana to push forward. Instead I would get Maupay and Gordon running at defenders with the ball at their feet.
My team (5-3-2): Pickford; Patterson, Coady, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Iwobi, Gueye, Onana; Gordon, Maupay.
Connor O'Neill - Gueye in and Maupay to lead the line
Following the hard-fought draw with Leeds United on Tuesday night, the temptation for Frank Lampard to stick with the same side will no doubt be there for the Everton boss.
However, the Blues manager, in my opinion, should look to freshen things up at the top end of the pitch. But at the back, Jordan Pickford will no doubt start in goal, with Nathan Patterson, Conor Coady, James Tarkowski and Vitaliy Mykolenko making up the back four.
While in midfield, Idrissa Gueye should also come into the starting line-up in place of Tom Davies, although the former PSG man might be lacking match sharpness, he could offer something they haven’t had for a long time in front of the back four.
Alex Iwobi and Amadou Onana should keep their places in midfield, with Demarai Gray and Anthony Gordon starting on either flank. Up top, Neal Maupay should be given the nod to lead the line and give Everton the focal point they desperately need.
My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Mykolenko, Tarkowski, Coady, Patterson; Gueye, Onana; Iwobi, Gray, Gordon; Maupay.
Sean Bradbury - Two new signings start as Leeds system stays
Time will hopefully judge Everton's transfer window to have been a successful one.
Reinforcements have been drafted in across the squad and Anthony Gordon remains a Blue.
Neal Maupay is poised to make his debut as the season can now truly get going to mark a fresh chapter under Frank Lampard.
Two new signings start for me - with the Frenchman up top, and Idrissa Gueye slotting straight into midfield.
They are the only changes to the 4-5-1/4-3-3 system that worked well for long spells during the draw away to Leeds in midweek.
My team (4-5-1): Pickford; Patterson, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Gueye, Onana, Iwobi, Gray, Gordon; Maupay.
Kyle Newbould - Double debut and security of a back three
Lampard's back-four worked well at times against Leeds, but the visit of Liverpool provided another level of danger and the Blues boss will prioritise compactness and security at the back.
Michael Keane will join Coady and Tarkowski, with three defenders unavailable through injury, while Patterson and Mykolenko will have cover from each wide centre-back when facing Mohamed Salah or Luis Diaz.
Idrissa Gueye will waste no time in making his Goodison return, joining Amadou Onana in a rock-solid midfield pair.
The undroppable Alex Iwobi will be moved to a more natural role, joining Anthony Gordon on the wing - although both will drift inwards, allowing their wing-backs to provide width going forward.
And Neal Maupay, fresh from finally being registered as a Blue, will lead the line and attempt to cause the problems seen often this season with Liverpool's high-line.
My team (3-4-3): Pickford; Coady, Keane, Tarkowski; Patterson, Gueye, Onana, Mykolenko; Gordon, Maupay, Iwobi.
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