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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Joe Thomas & Paul Wheelock & Connor O'Neill

Everton line-ups as Dominic Calvert-Lewin and formation decisions made for Brentford

Joe Thomas - "I would slightly freshen things up"

Frank Lampard has settled on a formula and he should stick with it. While the draw at Watford was frustrating, it highlighted the limitations of the Everton squad at this particular time, in this specific scenario. There is potential for much better, but right now it is important to be pragmatic.

But while I would keep the formation that has made Everton so hard to beat in recent weeks, I would slightly freshen things up. Allan is the necessary change, coming in for the injured Fabian Delph. I would then bring in Dominic Calvert-Lewin for Demarai Gray. It would give Everton a mobile targetman, allow Richarlison to slot into his more natural position out wide and provide Lampard with the chance to unleash Gray in the second half when he could be potent.

Maintaining a solid base, gaining a foothold in the game and looking to be more ruthless when chances come - as they will in front of the Goodison crowd - will hopefully be enough to get a result that takes Everton a long way towards safety.

My team (3-4-3): Pickford; Coleman, Holgate, Keane; Iwobi, Allan, Doucoure, Mykolenko; Gordon, Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison.

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Connor O'Neill - "The time has come to take the game to an opponent"

The time has come for Frank Lampard to set-up his Everton side to take the game to an opponent. Despite having had success playing with five at the back in recent weeks, the Blues may benefit from a more attacking approach.

As a result, Lampard should go four at the back with Seamus Coleman on the right, Mason Holgate and Michael Keane in the middle, and Vitaliy Mykolenko on the left. Jordan Pickford will, of course, start in goal.

While in midfield, Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure should start in the middle, with Alex Iwobi in front of them. Anthony Gordon should start on the right, with Richarlison on the left, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin up top.

My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Coleman, Holgate, Keane, Mykolenko; Allan, Doucoure; Gordon, Iwobi, Richarlison; Calvert-Lewin.

Paul Wheelock - "Enter Dominic Calvert-Lewin"

It's already a massive match for the Blues - but it will become even bigger by the time kick-off arrives. As by then they will know the results of the Burnley and Leeds United games. But however their relegation rivals fare, Frank Lampard knows that four points from the final three fixtures should do it. But I don't think anyone of an Everton persuasion would want it going to the last day at Arsenal so, if Leeds and Burnley do not provide a helping hand, the job must be done at Goodison today and on Thursday when Crystal Palace visit.

The Blues, then, must show more than they did in the draw at Watford. There's a strong argument to suggest Lampard should change to a more attacking formation but, personally, I did not feel that was the 'problem' at Vicarage Road. It was more to do with the fact his side did not play with the tempo or the sharpness needed in the final third against opponents who were there for the taking. Brentford, no doubt, will not be, and I can't help but think the manager needs to freshen it up a little bit this afternoon.

Enter Dominic Calvert-Lewin. It's been a wretched season for the striker and, if the rumours are correct, clubs want to make it his last at Goodison Park. But there is still time for the No.9 to go out on a high - and getting the goals that secure the club's survival would be the perfect way to do it.

Players like Alex Iwobi and Fabian Delph have shown in recent weeks how the narrative can be flipped so, along with Allan for the injured Delph, I would bring DCL in for Demarai Gray, who can be used off the bench.

My team (3-4-3): Pickford; Coleman, Holgate, Keane; Iwobi, Allan, Doucoure, Mykolenko; Gordon, Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison.

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