Everton see another side to Iliman Ndiaye as Liverpool weakness exposed but too late
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ECHO Everton reporter Chris Beesley has covered Everton and Liverpool both in the Premier League and abroad since 2005.
Chris is well-known for his sartorial elegance and the aforementioned Scottish manager once enquired of him at a press conference: "Is that your dad's suit you've got on?" while the tradition continued in 2023 with new Blues boss Sean Dyche complimenting him on his smart appearance.
Iliman Ndiaye was Everton’s magic man for most of last season.
But at Anfield he produced something in a royal blue jersey we haven’t seen before.
Snapped up for £15million from Olympique Marseille, Ndiaye finished his maiden campaign on Merseyside with 11 goals in all competitions.
And, having netted Everton’s historic final goal at Goodison Park, he’s already followed that up this term with the first strike at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
But when you’re playing on the wing like Ndiaye, albeit now on the right flank rather the left he occupied for most of 2024/25, you’ve also got to be a provider as well as a taker of chances.
READ MORE:Why Jack Grealish was punished after Liverpool vs Everton as David Moyes makes feelings clear
The two goals that the Senegalese has already netted in 2025/26 against Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers – both prompting ‘nickname’ celebrations – have now been followed by a first ever assist from him when playing for the Blues.
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Anyone who has seen Everton play this season and observed Liverpool’s transitional period in the full-back areas could have identified that this was the area the visitors could have had some joy against the Premier League champions and so it proved.
Grealish put in a teasing cross to find Ndiaye at the back post and his touch was good, picking out fellow Senegal international Idrissa Gueye – the surprise package in the move – to reduce the deficit.
Arne Slot’s men showed their prowess throughout and ultimately had enough to get over the line, but a contest that had looked distinctly one-sided for the first 45 minutes ended up being much closer because of the guile shown by wide men Gueye and Grealish, with the former showing another string to his bow as he learns to operate in this new role at club level.