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Everton: Three things we learnt from Everton 2-2 Liverpool

By Alan Feehely

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: Referee Michael Oliver shows a red card to Richarlison of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on October 17, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: Referee Michael Oliver shows a red card to Richarlison of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on October 17, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Everton’s English defender Michael Keane celebrates after he scores his team’s first goal during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on October 17, 2020. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by CATHERINE IVILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Michael Keane made an impact on both ends of the pitch.

2. Strength at the heart of defence

Michael Keane’s towering header was the second goal he’s scored this season, a pleasing addition to a very strong campaign thus far for the English centre-back. At times in his Everton career he’s looked short on confidence, but he’s now playing with an arrogance that is thrilling to see and has improved his game no end.

In the Carabao Cup against West Ham, he assisted Dominic Calvert-Lewin with a libero-like ball over the top, and against Liverpool he gave up no space in the Everton box while retaining a threat in the final third. His partnership with Yerry Mina has come on leaps and bounds and the pair seem to have developed the ability to communicate well despite the language barrier.

More. This Everton man set to benefit the most from Walcott and Kean loan exit. light

The funny thing is that neither are Everton’s first-choice centre-back. That honour belongs to Mason Holgate, a player who enjoyed a phenomenal 2019/20 – despite collective underperformance – and has been unable to feature so far in this campaign through injury.

Alongside these three, Everton have new signing Ben Godfrey, who came on for the injured Seamus Coleman at right back to perform strongly against Liverpool, as well as promising youngster Jarrad Branthwaite. A weakness for Everton has become a strength – centre-back is a competitive position.

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