da aviator aposta: Everton have landed a huge boost with Carlo Ancelotti confirming that Dominic Calvert-Lewin will make his return from injury against Liverpool in Saturday’s Merseyside Derby.
da apostebet: The striker, who has 18 goals to his name in 25 appearances across all competitions this season, has missed his side’s last two Premier League fixtures with a hamstring issue sustained in the FA Cup.
Calvert-Lewin was forced off the field 55 minutes into the 5-4 fifth-round victory over Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month, after scoring the Toffees’ first and assisting two strikes to mount a first-half comeback following Davinson Sanchez’s early opener.
Gylfi Sigurdsson occupied a false nine role as Everton lost 2-0 to Fulham in Calvert-Lewin’s absence, while Richarlison led the line on his own as Manchester City won 3-1 at Goodison Park last time out.
The Blues now head to Anfield striving to record their first win over Liverpool since 2010 and first away victory since 1999, with a chance to draw level on points with Jurgen Klopp’s sixth-placed defending Premier League champions.
And Ancelotti has confirmed that Calvert-Lewin will be fit enough to start on the red side of Stanley Park, along with midfielder Allan who has been out with a hamstring injury since December 16.
“Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Allan are back,” Ancelotti said on Friday.
“For the fact we have a lot of games in this period, it is important to have all the squad available. We are close to having all the players fit.
“This is important. We can rotate a little bit and keep the squad more fresh.
“Allan was out for two months. To have him back is really important for us.”
Having Calvert-Lewin back will be hugely beneficial for Everton in their hopes of recording a rare win over Liverpool on Saturday and at a time when the Reds have lost their last three fixtures held at Anfield.
While Sigurdsson and Richarlison, the Toffees’ two record signings at £45m and £50m, led the attack in Calvert-Lewin’s absence, neither offer the same presence as the England international, who was acquired from Sheffield United for just £1.5m in 2016.
Calvert-Lewin has offered a team-high 2.7 shots per game in the Premier League this season, the eight-most across the division, which is 1.7 more than Richarlison and 2.0 more than Sigurdsson when either has been fielded as a de facto centre-forward, per WhoScored.
He also offers an imperious aerial presence compared to either the Brazilian (1.3/4.7 duels won) or the Iceland international (0/0) with success in 4.6 of his 9.1 contests, only four players across the top-flight win a higher amount per game than the 23-year-old.
That’s on top of his goal output, which makes Calvert-Lewin the joint-third top-scorer in the Premier League and with the third-highest contribution rate, having netted 37% of Everton’s 35 efforts struck home to date.
So, clearly, having Calvert-Lewin back fit and available for Everton’s trip to Anfield will be hugely beneficial for Ancelotti, as he gains a colossal upgrade on his recent stand-in options.
AND in other news, Everton face a £35m asking price to land Carlo Ancelotti’s 21-year-old target…