The Turkish forward didn’t appear to be considered by manager Marco Silva.
Everton will have to wait at least one more year in their search for a first Anfield victory this century – although they’ve arguably never come closer than they did on Sunday.
Both sides struggled to take their chances all day and both Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes will have been ruing their own golden opportunities when Divock Origi stole the points at the end.
But if there was one real loser from an Everton team that more than held its own against Liverpool, it was Cenk Tosun – the Turk surely doesn’t have a future under Marco Silva.
Silva opted against bringing on Tosun at Anfield, instead using Richarlison as an out-and-out striker, and if away against Liverpool isn’t a game in which the Everton boss wants to use a physical presence up top, you’ve got to wonder when he ever would.
Tosun appeared to fill the physical role that none of Richarlison, Bernard, or Walcott could at the start of the season and his ability to link the more mobile attackers felt like his obvious use.
But Silva has moved in another direction, seemingly liking Richarlison’s energy and ability to run in behind far more.
Even in a game when Tosun could have offered an out ball and an ability to play the ball long and into feet, Silva much preferred taking the game to Liverpool and trying to match them.
And it nearly worked.
Silva clearly doesn’t want a varied ‘plan b’ with Everton as he strives to push forward towards European football – and that will likely cost Tosun his Toffees career.
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