Rafael Benitez discusses Anthony Gordon and Alex Iwobi
Despite Anthony Gordon being available, Rafael Benitez believes that Alex Iwobi deserved to start the Everton game on Sunday.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, the Spaniard claimed that he was happy with Iwobi’s display, despite receiving a low mark from the Liverpool Echo.
He also insisted that Gordon was a better option off the bench on Sunday, despite playing really well against Manchester United from the start before the international break.
Benitez said: “I was talking with Anthony.
“He is a player who is very explosive, and when you have this, in this case, it is not the main quality.
“He is a player who is learning and growing and can be an impact coming from the bench.
“Iwobi was working very hard today [Sunday], and when he [Gordon] came into the game, it was more difficult for him.
“I can see him improving, and I can see Iwobi giving us more.”
Defiant from Benitez.
In hindsight, you could certainly argue that Gordon should have started ahead of Iwobi, who did very little throughout the whole game.
The 20-year-old has made five first-team appearances in the Premier League this season, totalling just 116 minutes on the pitch, which suggests that Benitez isn’t totally sold on him.
However, he was excellent at Old Trafford, and you would have thought that the Spaniard might have started him against the Hammers as well, but it wasn’t to be.
Instead, Iwobi got the nod and offered very little, and you would think Benitez now has a decision to make against Watford on Saturday.
Should he play the young academy graduate who has a point to prove and grew up in Liverpool as an Evertonian?
Or does he decide to stick with the more established player who is struggling with his form and has been since he left Arsenal to join the Toffees?
It is an interesting dilemma.
In other Everton news, the club have provided an official update on Abdoulaye Doucoure.
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