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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 goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (L) tackles Liverpool’s Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk 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 Peter Byrne / 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 PETER BYRNE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Jordan Pickford could still be unreliable.

3. An uncertain pair of hands

Now that Ancelotti has strengthened the defence, midfield and forward line significantly in the off-season, attention has turned to Everton’s last glaring weakness – their goalkeeper.

Jordan Pickford is a very good shot-stopper, and he showed it with some excellent interventions throughout the game. The two saves – Trent Alexander-Arnold free kick and Joel Matip header in the second half – showed the amazing reflexes he possesses.

But when it comes down to the clutch moments, he’s too rash and unpredictable. There were two such moments on Saturday at Goodison Park – his clattering challenge on Virgil Van Dijk that saw the centre-back leave the field with an injury, and his weak hand to Jordan Henderson’s disallowed injury-time goal. On both occasions, Pickford was saved by the referee and VAR.

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The fact of the matter is that if Everton are to transform into perennial top-four finishers and even title challengers, they’ll need a strong and reassuring figure between the sticks. Pickford has ability – that much is unquestioned.

But he lacks the temperament of the great goalkeepers, and I’d be unsurprised to see Ancelotti, in concert with Director of Football Marcel Brands, move swiftly sooner rather than later to recruit an alternative first choice.

Next. Everton Player ratings for September: James Rodriguez sparkles, Calvert-Lewin classy. dark

What are your thoughts on the 2-2 Merseyside derby draw?

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