Everton’s nine-match unbeaten streak in the Premier League crumbled as David Moyes’ side lost to Liverpool at Anfield.
Moyes, who has never won across from Stanley Park over 22 visits, took the defeat on the chin, and fair play to him. Everton have been transformed since he waltzed through the gates in January, skipping far away from the relegation zone and instead creating a foundation from which new goals can be set for the 2025/26 campaign and beyond.
There’s still plenty to play for over the coming weeks, though, with the 15th-place Toffees set to welcome Arsenal to Goodison Park at noon.
The Gunners beat Fulham in midweek but were left reeling after their latest fitness blow in a season of fitness blows, Gabriel Magalhaes ruled out for the season after injuring his hamstring.
23/24
Premier League
1-0 loss
22/23
Premier League
1-0 win
21/22
Premier League
2-1 win
20/21
Premier League
2-1 win
19/20
Premier League
0-0 draw
Bukayo Saka has returned, scoring off the bench against the Cottagers. Everton will need to be on their A-game. However, Moyes will be buoyed by his thinning-out infirmary pile.
Everton team news
James Tarkowski will reprise his usual role at centre-half after escaping punishment for a lunging challenge on Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister.
On the injury front, Orel Mangala is still, of course, out for the season, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dwight McNeil are nearing returns from respective setbacks; Saturday’s fixture might come too soon.
Armando Broja, talking of strikers, has been fit again for several fixtures and has featured off the bench in both of Everton’s recent Premier League games, but he’s unlikely to displace Beto, even if the powerful centre-forward’s Midas touch in front of goal has deserted him.
It’s unlikely Moyes will field more than one or two changes, but there is one potential tweak sure to be on the manager’s mind.
Iliman Ndiaye made his anticipated return in the second half at Anfield, fit again after being withdrawn injured in February, during the 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Goodison Park.
For him to return to the starting line-up, Moyes must axe another star.
Why Iliman Ndiaye could be the difference-maker
Ndiaye’s second-half introduction was met by a chorus of cheers from the travelling Toffees under the Liverpool lights. The game might have been lost, but he’s a devastating talent, signed from Marseille for about £15m last summer.
Eight goals across 29 appearances in all competitions for Everton speak of a blooming goal threat, not least because he bagged in each of Moyes’ opening three victories before falling to injury against the Reds.
Of course, the Senegalese is hardly just a ball-striking threat. As per FBref, he ranks among the top 19% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League this term for pass completion, the top 7% for successful take-ons and the top 14% for tackles + interceptions per 90.
A successful take-on is recorded when a player beats their opponent by directly carrying the ball past them while retaining possession.
Capable across both attacking flanks, Ndiaye should replace Jack Harrison on the right, allowing Charly Alcaraz to continue his journey on the left; when you compare Ndiaye and Harrison’s respective data pools across the campaign, it becomes clear as to why.
Matches (starts)
26 (18)
25 (22)
Goals
1
6
Assists
0
0
Touches*
29.8
39.2
Shots (on target)*
1.0 (0.2)
1.0 (0.4)
Big chances missed
4
2
Pass completion
75%
84%
Key passes*
1.1
0.6
Dribbles*
0.8
2.3
Ball recoveries*
2.2
5.9
Tackles + interceptions*
1.2
2.5
Duels won*
2.7
5.9
Harrison’s a man of industry and energy, but he’s struggled to offer much of substance in the way of goals, assists, key contributions.
Ndiaye brings so much more to the table, with his unique brand of football sure to revive Beto at the front of the ship too. The hulking Bissau-Guinean scored five Premier League goals across four matches through February, skill set unlocked with Moyes in the driving seat.
However, the goals have dried up, with Beto now without a successful strike across four top-flight fixtures. But how exactly could Ndiaye fix his woes?
Well, while Beto’s litany of missed big chances – five since last scoring, to be exact – are a by-product of his own returned profligacy, he’s not exactly being supplied with the greatest supplementary force.
Harrison was particularly out of sorts against Liverpool on Wednesday evening, failing with both of his attempted dribbles while also losing every single one of his seven contested duels.
A loanee, he’s being outstripped by Ndiaye – who has been praised for his “dynamite” quality by Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp – and, frankly, most positional peers in the Premier League this season, and his 25-year-old teammate’s return could bear dividends for an Everton side seeking a return to winning ways.
Let’s not forget, the Blues have now gone five games without a win in the league, albeit only losing one of those matchups. Still, it’s clear that Moyes needs more firepower from varying angles to overcome tough opponents.
Arsenal have conceded the fewest number of goals in the Premier League this season, with David Raya also boasting the second-best save percentage in the division this term at 76.5% (FBref).
It’s going to be difficult, even if Everton have a stentorian Goodison crowd behind them. The players will need the 12th man, but they will also need Ndiaye in their starting mix, for he adds so much flavour and could elevate Beto up top.
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