Everton at Liverpool: Predicted Line-Up | DCL and Allan Set for Return

After the elation of the FA Cup win over Tottenham Hotspur, Everton came crashing back down to earth with back-to-back defeats against Fulham and Manchester City.

It put a real dent in our Champions League hopes.

But a win over Liverpool at Anfield this weekend would more than gloss over the past week.

So how will Carlo Ancelotti line Everton up as they look for a first win on the red side of Stanley Park this millennium?

Who’s Out?

There’s good news, and quite a bit of it.

DCL is back. Allan is back. James is fit.

The only fresh injury news is that Yerry Mina has been ruled out for three to four weeks with a calf issue he picked up against City. Jean-Philippe Gbamin is still nowhere to be seen.

Tactics and Formation

If Yerry Mina had been fit, it would be likely that Everton would have utilised the sitting full-backs setup once again for this clash.

Instead, it seems most likely that Digne will slot back in at left-back, with Holgate on the right and Keane and Godfrey lining up in defence.

The only other real question is about midfield shape and personnel. Will Davies line-up with Doucoure and Allan? Or will Carlo persist with a flagging Gylfi?

Starters (likelihood of starting rated out of 10)

Robin Olsen – 7/10

If the rotation returns, it’s Olsen’s turn. Pickford missed a few games, so maybe he gets an elongated run?

Mason Holgate – 7/10

Lucas Digne – 10/10

Ben Godfrey – 8/10

Michael Keane – 10/10

Allan – 6/10

Would be great to have him back in the side, but there will be questions whether he is fit enough to start after more than two months out.

Tom Davies – 7/10

Provides more legs and defensive cover than Gylfi or Gomes.

Abdoulaye Doucoure – 10/10

Richarlison – 10/10

Pace and directness will be key for an Everton side that will play on the counter here, and he provides both.

James Rodriguez – 7/10

Alex Iwobi could also start ahead of James here for defensive cover, but the Colombian’s range of incisive passing simply can’t be replaced.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 8/10

Bench

Jordan Pickford

Seamus Coleman

Niels Nkounkou

Fabian Delph

Andre Gomes

Gylfi Sigurdsson

Bernard

Alex Iwobi

Joshua King