BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson feels Everton are playing like a different side under Carlo Ancelotti, and feels the Blues can concern Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp when the two sides meet in the FA Cup on Sunday.
Lawrenson has lauded Ancelotti for the work he has done to change the club’s form since replacing Marco Silva in the Goodison Park dugout, though the former Reds defender still expects Klopp to orchestrate another win over the Toffees following December’s 5-2 defeat.
Klopp named an altered starting line-up for the Premier League affair that went down in history as Silva’s final game at the helm, with Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Jordan Henderson only on the bench while Xherdan Shaqiri, Adam Lallana and Divock Origi stepped into the opening XI.
Another round of changes from Klopp for this weekend’s Merseyside Derby would not be a surprise for Lawrenson, but doubts to what extent the German can deviate from his best line-up as vast alterations would be a risk.
“Liverpool against Everton is quite a difficult one to call,” Lawrenson noted in his column for BBC Sport. “We already saw Reds boss Jurgen Klopp make a load of changes for the league match against Everton, and I would not be surprised if he gambled again.
“That would be a risk against this Toffees side, who already look a different proposition under Carlo Ancelotti. It will be lively, too, because there will be a different atmosphere – there will be a lot more Everton fans inside Anfield for this one – but I still think Liverpool will get through it.”
What will the result be in Sunday's Merseyside Derby?
Reds win
Replay
Toffees win
Ancelotti lost his first game in charge of the club on New Years’ Day when we were beaten 2-1 at Manchester City, though saw our players hold the champions to three on-target shots in the first-half after a disciplined defensive performance.
A moment of skill from Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring for the Sky Blues in the 51st-minute, but replicating the opening sequence at Anfield this weekend should put the Blues in a strong position to avoid another thrashing at the hands of Liverpool.
In other Everton news, the club are ready to lodge a €30m bid to land an unsettled midfielder in January.