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Everton takeaways from Ancelotti’s Derby pre-match presser

By Callum Brannan

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 12: Gylfi Sigurdsson of Everton celebrates with teammates Alex Iwobi, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan of Everton after scoring their team's first goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Everton and Chelsea at Goodison Park on December 12, 2020 in Liverpool, England. A limited number of spectators (2000) are welcomed back to stadiums to watch elite football across England. This was following easing of restrictions on spectators in tiers one and two areas only. (Photo by Jon Super - Pool/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 12: Gylfi Sigurdsson of Everton celebrates with teammates Alex Iwobi, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan of Everton after scoring their team's first goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Everton and Chelsea at Goodison Park on December 12, 2020 in Liverpool, England. A limited number of spectators (2000) are welcomed back to stadiums to watch elite football across England. This was following easing of restrictions on spectators in tiers one and two areas only. (Photo by Jon Super - Pool/Getty Images) /
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Carlo Ancelotti has just had his pre-match presser for the upcoming Merseyside Derby at Anfield. It’s always interesting to listen to the Italian before a game, and today he’s given some interesting news for Everton fans.

This is a crucial game for Everton fans with a possibility of their first win in a Merseyside Derby since 2010, and possibly their first win at Anfield ever since 1999, where Kevin Campbell scored early on to give the Toffees a win.

A win for Everton would see them go level on points with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. With Liverpool winless in their last three games at Anfield, this could be the perfect opportunity for Ancelotti to mastermind a win for his Everton side, which could see them gain momentum to push towards the European places.

Here are three key takeaways from Carlo Ancelotti’s Pre-Match Press Conference:

Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Allan to Return

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 06: Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton celebrates after scoring their team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford on February 06, 2021, in Manchester, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 06: Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton celebrates after scoring their team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford on February 06, 2021, in Manchester, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

"“Dominic Calvert-Lewin is back and also Allan is back.”"

The one thing Everton fans wanted to hear from this press conference. The announcement that their talisman and pitbull are returning to the side finally giving Everton a full-strength side for the first time in over two months.

Calvert-Lewin only had a slight knock which led to him missing the Fulham and Manchester City game; it’s clear the Toffees missed the Englishman’s goals, being one of the only players in Europe to score 10+ goals without a single penalty.

Richarlison is a very talented player, but Calvert-Lewin offers so much as a striker, his goal-scoring ability is up there with the best in the Premier League, and his link-up play is extremely underrated. The Yorkshireman had an awe-inspiring performance in the last Merseyside Derby, and fans are hoping he’ll be able to repeat that at Anfield.

Allan has been severely missed ever since he was stretchered off in Everton’s trip to the King Power to face Leicester. His defensive presence is huge for the team and will hopefully allow the Toffees to show some more freedom on the attacking side of the ball.

Allan is a pitbull in the midfield, constantly running around and winning the ball back, and his 3.4 tackles per game show that, with the Brazilian still fourth in the league for tackles per game.

The Brazilian could also be used to free up Abdoulaye Doucoure to play the more box to box role that suits him so well. Ever since Allan’s injury, Doucoure stepped into that role until Ancelotti realised that it was actually Tom Davies who was Allan’s ideal replacement.

Hopefully, both Allan and Davies on the pitch; that should allow Doucoure to move forward and get involved in the attacking side of the game.