Everton manager Allardyce must seriously rethink midfield options ahead of Liverpool game

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Everton’s midfield of Wayne Rooney and Morgan Schneiderlin were completely outclassed by Manchester City.

Everton were somewhat pressed for options against Manchester City last weekend with Morgan Schneiderlin – a usual bench warmer – starting the game alongside forward-turned-midfielder Wayne Rooney in the heart of the pitch.

The Toffees were unable to keep Pep Guardiola’s rampant Manchester City at bay as all three of the Blue’s attacking trio got on the score sheet in what ended as a 3-1 victory for the away side.

With a Merseyside derby to play this Saturday, Sam Allardyce must seriously rethink his side before playing host to Liverpool.

Luckily for the former Bolton manager, Tom Davies completed 33 minutes against City, coming on for Rooney in an attempt to shore up the middle of the pitch.

Rooney is a remarkable player on his day and has played central midfield on plenty of occasions, but against a free scoring team such as City or Liverpool, perhaps a slightly more advanced role would be better suited to England’s record goal-scorer.

If Schneiderlin is once again selected to start, it should be Davies who is paired beside him, with Everton crying out for a more traditional midfielder to pull the strings, rather than a converted forward in Rooney.

Everton’s top-scorer this season was badly exposed against City which led to his substitution, but a trio of Davies, Rooney and Schneiderlin should in theory provide much better cover for the likes of Michael Keane and Phil Jagielka at the back.

Davies definitely did wonders to help his team out when added to the fray against City, and must be allowed the chance to continue where he left off if the Toffees are to have any chance of overcoming Liverpool.

One thing for sure is that, after last weekend’s performance, Allardyce must carefully select which fixtures to play Rooney in midfield, with there still being major questions marks over his all round ability to play in the centre of the park.