Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images

News

HomeNewsOpinionEvertonEnglish Premier League

Everton fans name the player who must start against Liverpool after FA Cup loss to Bournemouth

Giuseppe Labellarte

Sat 8 February 2025 18:45, UK

Everton have been knocked out of the FA Cup at the fourth-round stage as Bournemouth ran out 2-0 winners at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Antoine Semenyo opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute after being brought down by Everton stand-in captain James Tarkowski.

Tarkowski then cleared a short goal-kick straight to Marcus Tavernier just before the break, which allowed Daniel Jebbison to score in successive cup games.

Up next for Everton is the rescheduled Merseyside derby against Liverpool in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

And a number of Toffees fans called for one player in particular to start at Goodison Park next week after he did well off the bench in the FA Cup loss to the Cherries.

READ MORE: Everton on course to make £217m announcement as Dan Friedkin unveils ‘jewel in the crown’

Everton fans want Carlos Alcaraz to start over Abdoulaye Doucoure

The player in question is Carlos Alcaraz, who joined Everton on loan from Flamengo in the latter stages of the January transfer window.

Alcaraz made his Everton debut in the game against Bournemouth, coming off the bench with 25 minutes left to play.

The Argentine’s cameo display impressed Toffees fans, who called for him to start against Liverpool ahead of Abdoulaye Doucoure.

“Alcaraz has to start,” one fan wrote on X. “Totally get why we started with as close to the same team to Leicester as possible, but Doucoure was sooo bad in transition.”

Another said: “Seen enough from Alcaraz already to say he should start over Doucoure on Wednesday.”

The calls for Alcaraz to start against Liverpool kept coming, with one saying: “Alcaraz is already showing that Doucoure does not need to start Wednesday.”

Another wrote: “Like the look of Alcaraz think he will do well for us and he should be replacing Doucoure sooner rather than later.”

Another wrote: “Alcaraz straight in for Doucoure Wednesday please. (I’d even take Antolin).”

How Carlos Alcaraz fared for Everton against Bournemouth

Alcaraz impressed when he came on for Doucoure as he worked hard, made some good runs, and hit the post from a free kick.

He did well even though he didn’t have much time to stamp his mark on the game, which was virtually gone by that stage.

Nonetheless, David Moyes will likely have been impressed enough by Alcaraz to consider giving him a start against Liverpool.