View: Ancelotti hero status was achieved before Liverpool result
Carlo Ancelotti might not believe he’s written himself into Everton folklore just yet, but his victory over Liverpool cannot be understated.
The Italian coach spearheaded a historic win over the Reds on Saturday, ending a decade long winless run for the Blues against their bitter rivals, as well as bringing the club their first Anfield win since 1999.
After Everton lost to a severely weakened Liverpool side in the FA Cup last season, it did seem as though the Toffees were never going to rid themselves of their Merseyside Derby hoodoo.
However, Ancelotti has now become the first manager since Walter Smith to turn Merseyside blue.
More so than restore Evertonian pride, Ancelotti’s victory over Liverpool signifies a large attitude change at Goodison Park. Everton have been the Merseyside underdogs for a long time, but the club are now seemingly moving in the right direction to eventually rid themselves of that monicker.
Ancelotti himself has admitted that the Blues are not yet at the same level as Liverpool, but positive results and committed performances suggest that the club are moving in the right direction.
Everton still aren’t in a position to jostle for the Premier League title, but unlike before, they are in a position to compete against the biggest and best sides in the league, and that shows clear progression under Ancelotti’s tutelage.
Ancelotti remains the best signing Everton have made in some time.
He’s changed the way in which the club carries itself, but he also impacted the way in which the club is perceived from those outside of Goodison Park’s walls.
Ancelotti might not believe he is an Everton hero, but in many ways he was a hero way before he saw Everton win against Liverpool.
In other Everton news, we at Goodison News have taken a look at how Jordan Pickford put in a season best performance against Jurgen Klopp’s men on Saturday.