Everton played out a 0-0 draw with Liverpool on Sunday night, marking their return to Premier League action following the pandemic-induced suspension.
The Toffees defended resolutely for 75 minutes before turning up the pressure on the Reds, and almost nicked it when Tom Davies hit the post.
Carlo Ancelotti will be happy with how his side performed, especially given that injuries forced him into naming a rather bizarre bench at Goodison Park.
Cuco Martina was named on the bench despite pretty much everybody forgetting he was even still an Everton player, whilst two goalkeepers – Maarten Stekelenburg and Joao Virginia – were substitutes too.
Less than 24 hours, Stekelenburg has gone from being on the Everton bench to agreeing a deal with another club, meaning he is set to leave the Toffees.
Ajax have this afternoon confirmed that Stekelenburg has agreed a deal to return to Amsterdam. He has signed a one-year deal that will come into effect from August 1st.
The 37-year-old joined Everton back in 2016, but has only made 26 appearances for the club. Now, he is heading back to his former club in an emotional move.
Stekelenburg come up through the famed Ajax academy, making 282 first-team appearances whilst winning two league titles.
It now seems that recent reports from the Liverpool Echo have even greater importance. They suggested earlier this month that 2019 signing Jonas Lossl will be in Ancelotti’s first-team squad next season, once he returns from his loan spell at Huddersfield Town.
Lossl will have the chance to step into Stekelenburg’s spot as number two, and back up Jordan Pickford next season.
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