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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Adam Jones & Matt Addison

Liverpool must stop surprise Everton player who has replaced £22m star Allan

Liverpool have a very strong recent record in the Merseyside derby, but head into the 289th edition of the fixture with Everton just three points behind them and with a game in hand still to be played.

Jurgen Klopp's record so far against Everton is seven wins and five draws, but extending that unbeaten run this time could be crucial as both teams attempt to get into the Champions League spots.

Liverpool, even with injuries and no supporters inside Anfield, will be favourites to take home the points, having bounced back from a defeat to Leicester last weekend with an impressive 2-0 win over RB Leipzig midweek.

But there are plenty of players who could cause the Reds problems at Anfield if they are to lose concentration as they did at the King Power Stadium.

James Rodriguez and several others might spring to mind before Tom Davies, but in the 22-year-old midfielder, Everton have a man who few might think of as being a significant threat, but someone who is being tipped to make a big impact.

"There was a section of Everton fans who thought he would go out on loan or would leave permanently at the start of the season," said the ECHO's Everton reporter, Adam Jones, on the Behind Enemy Lines podcast.

"Even in January, there would have been people thinking that, but over the last few weeks, probably since the Boxing Day game at Sheffield United [he has become a key man].

*Listen to full Behind Enemy Lines podcast by clicking HERE

"Davies played really, really well in that game - he took up Allan's role in the 4-3-3 in front of the back four - and he was absolutely fantastic.

"And he has only grown from point on to be honest. Against Manchester United, he was the catalyst for the comeback in that game.

"Everton were 2-0 down at half-time and he came out for the second half and he took it upon himself to be the man picking up the ball from the defenders.

"He was progressing Everton up the pitch, playing a one-two with Lucas Digne to get them the goal back from Abdoulaye Doucoure.

"Davies has been a really key player in midfield and the last two games, he has been taken off in the second half by Carlo Ancelotti, which has been a little bit strange because he has been one of Everton's best players.

"Maybe Ancelotti was trying to save him for the Liverpool game by taking him off against Manchester City, because he absolutely deserves to start.

"Allan will be back in the team, presumably starting, but I would like to see Allan, Doucoure and Davies as a midfield three - Davies has done more than enough to keep his place and he brings a certain physicality, and is really good technically.

"He is energetic, determined and puts everything in for the shirt. Especially in a derby, it's good to have players like that - and especially one in form, like Davies."

James Rodriguez, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Doucoure might all get bigger headlines - and will, of course, need containing.

But in Davies, Everton have a player who will keeping tabs on as one of the under-the-radar form players in the division.

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