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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Chris Beesley & Adam Jones & Connor O'Neill

Everton line-ups as Yerry Mina decision made and formation changes for Arsenal

Connor O'Neill - Gordon has to start over Townsend

Another game, another selection dilemma for Rafa Benitez as his side aim to get back on track against Arsenal tonight.

Jordan Pickford will no doubt continue in goal, with a back four of Seamus Coleman, Michael Keane, Ben Godfrey and Lucas Digne in front of him.

Although Coleman was at fault for Liverpool’s third goal on Wednesday night, it is hard to see Jonjoe Kenny being given the nod.

In midfield, Fabian Delph should return to the starting line-up and partner Allan in the middle with Abdoulaye Doucoure playing in front of them.

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Out wide, Anthony Gordon should come in for Andros Townsend, who endured a difficult night against Jurgen Klopp’s side.

While Demarai Gray should be given the nod on the other flank and Richarlison should be tasked with leading the line.

My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Godfrey, Digne; Allan, Delph; Gordon, Doucoure, Gray; Richarlison.

Chris Beesley - Mina has to come straight back in

Yerry Mina's return to fitness can't come soon enough for Everton, it's just a shame that he's not bringing Dominic Calvert-Lewin with him.

Beleaguered Blues boss Benitez - without a win in eight Premier League games - confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Mina has returned to training and could feature for the first time since October.

Given that Everton shipped four goals at Goodison Park inside 90 minutes to Liverpool for the first time since the 5-0 reversal in 1982 last time out, the Big Colombian centre-back comes straight back in for me.

Ben Godfrey is the man who misses out after his mistake gifted Mohamed Salah a goal.

Captain Seamus Coleman repeated the trick of course but there's no like-for-like replacement for him.

Up front Salomon Rondon is a doubt due to a hamstring injury despite producing one of his most encouraging displays to date against the Reds (albeit still without an elusive first goal) so Richarlison spearheads the attack on his own with Anthony Gordon earning a recall.

My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Coleman, Digne, Keane, Mina; Allan, Doucoure, Townsend, Gray, Gordon; Richarlison.

Adam Jones - A switch of formation is a must

With everything going on around Everton at the minute, you almost forget there's a football match to deal with tonight.

The Merseyside Derby loss was only a few days ago, but it feels like months thanks to the amount that has taken place off the field since.

But let's focus on the game.

Salmon Rondon's injury leaves a problem to be solved up front and, as much as many would want to see Ellis Simms start, it makes more sense to play the more experienced Richarlison through the centre.

Surely, though, a switch in formation is a must for Rafa Benitez tonight.

A 4-3-3 with Fabian Delph coming into the side should relieve the pressure on Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure, allowing them to express themselves a little more.

The only other change should see Andros Townsend, who's been out of sorts lately, drop out in place of Anthony Gordon.

Let's hope things can at least get back on track on the pitch here.

My team (4-3-3): Pickford; Coleman, Godfrey, Keane, Digne; Delph, Allan, Doucoure; Gordon, Richarlison, Gray

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