Liverpool v Everton: Merseyside derby combined XI
By David Gate
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
The stats say that this pick should be Simon Mignolet. He has more clean sheets, conceded less goals and has a penalty save against Leicester to his name. There is one stat that leans heavily in Pickford’s favor; he has no errors leading to goals. The same cannot be said for Mignolet.
There has been little to choose between the two players so far this year. Jordan Pickford is unfortunate to move from one terrible defense (Sunderland) to another (Everton). However porous back lines give keepers opportunity to shine.
Pickford ranks 5th in the league for saves made. His shot stopping skills are giving a great chance of going to the World Cup with England this summer. There is every chance he could be the starter come their first group match.
Liverpool fans wish they could say that Mignolet deserves the pick here, but if they are honest they know that he is never more than a minute away from inexplicable error. He remains the number 1 at Anfield but manager Jurgen Klopp wants to give the other keepers plenty of minutes.
In the Champions League this year Klopp has used Loris Karius in all the group games. He is another keeper who has not impressed. The club rate the German at the same level as Welsh keeper Danny Ward. Where Mignolet is part of a goalkeeper committee, Pickford is the undisputed first choice and so deserves this pick.