Everton

Salah starred once again for the Reds in midweek, scoring twice and notching the assist for Curtis Jones’ goal in their enthralling 3-3 draw with Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.

The Egyptian suggested his glittering spell with the club could be drawing to a close in the aftermath of last week's win over Manchester City, but Slot is confident that Salah will put that at the back of his mind ahead of this weekend’s encounter.

“It is difficult for me to predict the long-term future. The only thing I can expect or predict is he is in a very good place at the moment,” Slot said. “He plays in a very good team that provides him with good opportunities, and then he is able to do special things.

“What makes him even more special for me is before we scored for 1-1 you thought, 'He is not playing his best game today,' but then to come up with a half-hour with an assist, two goals and having a shot against the bar.

“So, that is also what makes him special, apart from if you just look at the goals. His finishing is so clinical. A special player, but that's what we all know.

“What I noticed from the start, when he came in [in pre-season was] how fit he was, how ready he was to make it a very good season for him. That he led by example from the first day onwards in pre-season. So, it's not a surprising thing for me that he's done so well until now.”

Everton, meanwhile, earned a vital victory at Goodison Park on Wednesday, thrashing fellow strugglers Wolves 4-0 to give them some breathing space from the bottom three.

The Toffees piled more pressure on Gary O’Neil with two goals in either half from Ashley Young, Orel Mangala and Craig Dawson turning into his own net twice, sealing the victory.

Manager Sean Dyche, however, called for level-headedness from his squad after earning a first Premier League win since October, with immediate refocus the priority ahead of Liverpool’s visit.

"It is an important game, they all are," Dyche said. "I don't change my tune just because we've won – they are all important games. I think the feeling of the performance was right. I think [it was a] good reaction from the weekend.

"[Tonight] we haven't made mistakes and I think we've had that real intent and desire to score goals. We mixed our performance and played well. 

"There's still things to work on, but the mentality has to stay strong here. I've been questioned many times in my life, including here, and so have some of the players, but that glue that bonds us together is really important here.

“I think the group showed again tonight with our performance. There is a glue that bonds us together. They've shown it tonight with different players coming in, some players coming out, players coming on."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Everton – Dwight McNeil

Only McNeil (three goals, three assists) has been involved in more Premier League goals for Everton this season than Ashley Young (one goal, three assists).

Along with that, the Toffees midfielder has created 33 chances in the top-flight this term, a total only bettered by Leif Davis (34), Youri Tielemans (35), Cole Palmer (36) and Bukayo Saka (38).

Liverpool – Mohamed Salah

Salah’s inspired display against Newcastle in midweek has now seen him score and assist in 37 Premier League matches, the most of any player in history.

He has netted in each of his last seven games but has never scored in eight in a row. Daniel Sturridge is the only Liverpool player to do so, achieving that feat in the 2013-14 season.

The Egyptian has also scored seven Premier League goals against Everton – only Steven Gerrard (nine) has scored more Merseyside derby goals in the competition.

MATCH PREDICTION: LIVERPOOL WIN

This weekend’s action starts in the early kick-off at Goodison Park, and while former Reds boss Jurgen Klopp moaned about the fixture, since the start of last season, Liverpool are unbeaten in all eight of their Premier League games kicking off at 12.30 on Saturday (W6 D2), including a 2-0 win against Everton.

This, however, is Slot’s first meeting with Everton as Liverpool manager. Only one Reds boss has won their first ever league Merseyside derby when that match has come away from home, with Kenny Dalglish overseeing a 3-2 victory in September 1985.

Liverpool’s 2-0 loss in this exact fixture last season ended a 12-game unbeaten away run in the Premier League against Everton (W3 D9). They’ve not lost consecutive visits to Goodison Park since a run of three between 1992 and 1994.

Everton, meanwhile, have won just four of their 47 Premier League matches against teams starting the day top of the table (D9 L34). Only Tottenham (35) have lost more games against table-topping teams in the competition than the Toffees.

Dyche has lost 12 Premier League matches against Liverpool (W3 D2), only losing more against Manchester City (14) and Arsenal (13). However, should he win this game, he’ll have more wins against the Reds (two) than the previous seven Toffees managers combined.

Everton vs Liverpool is also the fixture to have seen the most red cards (23) and been drawn 0-0 the most (12) in Premier League history. No side has scored more 90th minute winners against an opponent in the competition than Liverpool have against Everton (five).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Everton – 15.5%

Draw – 20.9%

Liverpool – 63.6%

Amorim claimed his first Premier League win in charge of the Red Devils, with braces from Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee sealing a comfortable result. 

The win over Everton also saw Amorim earn the biggest margin of victory for a permanent manager in their first home match in the competition for the club.

However, the Portuguese was left wanting more from his players at full-time, having managed an expected goals (xG) of 0.73 from their 11 shots, compared to Everton's 0.65 with their eight efforts. 

"The result was good but we were pragmatic. It was not pretty but we were pragmatic. We did our job, which is to win," Amorim said. 

"You can feel that we have a long way to go. You can feel that in the first few minutes, when we were OK, but then Everton controlled the game. Then we got the goals in the right moment and that changed the game.

"You can't just focus on the result, you have to focus on the way the result appeared. Like before the game, we have so much to do, but it is better to work with victories. Let's focus on the performance more than the result.

"You can feel it during the game. It isn't a line of top performances, it is a rollercoaster of performances.

"We have some moments when we are good, but then we have moments when we have to suffer. We did it again, like in the Europa League. We need time to train and improve. It is better to work with victories."

For Everton, they have now failed to score a goal in each of their last four Premier League matches, with their last goal coming on October 26th (v Fulham).

The Toffees last had a longer run without a goal in the competition between August and October 2005 (six games).

It was also the fifth time Everton have lost a Premier League match by a margin of four goals or more under manager Sean Dyche, with the Toffees only losing more such matches under David Moyes (seven).

The Everton boss lamented his side's individual mistakes at Old Trafford, insisting it must improve ahead of facing fellow strugglers Wolves on Wednesday. 

"Early in the season there were too many mistakes and that was the same today. In the first 32 minutes I thought we looked a good outfit, we looked progressive," Dyche started. 

"We played well and opened them up. One mistake led to another mistake, and before you know it you're 2-0 down and then a third one straight after kick-off and that is my biggest gripe. It goes to show if you don't stay tuned in all the time it doesn't work for you and that was the case today.

"We've eradicated some mistakes from the start of the season. It is very difficult when you make such glaring individual mistakes. It is a very difficult task.

"This has to get parked quickly. I don't expect our team to make so many mistakes again. They are well versed in this scenario, it has been here for three or four years at this club.

"We are trying to break this pattern of work for a breakthrough, drop down, breakthrough, drop down. That is the next challenge by reacting in the next game. Every game is a big game, it is true for Everton."

The Everton player has just completed arguably the most successful couple of weeks of his life after scoring twice in the FA Disability Cup final victory over Portsmouth, just days after helping the national team win their first title since 1990.

He has already come a long way since getting on his first flight with the England team just six months into his journey in amputee football.

“I was 16 and had been playing for six months as an amputee when I got called up to go play in the 2017 Euros in Turkey,” Ramsden told the PA news agency.

“Before playing football I’d only ever been on a plane once and been to one other country.

“Now I travel the world – I’ve been to Europe, I’ve been to America, Mexico, it’s just a bit surreal what has happened. Playing in front of 42,000 in Besiktas’ stadium was a good experience.”

Ramsden sports a floppy centre-parting and headband like Manchester City winger Jack Grealish and, while comparisons were made after his performance at the weekend, there were no post-match celebrations to match the treble winner’s party stop in Ibiza.

“I got asked on Saturday when we won the FA Cup if I was going on a three-day bender, but I was back in work in Monday – that was the biggest reality shock,” he added.

“Someone put out a post saying, ‘It’s the one-legged Jack Grealish’, but I wanted to reply saying, ‘No, he’s the two-legged Rhyce Ramsden’.”

Ramsden was born with a tumour above his right knee which resulted in amputation at five months old.

That did not prevent him playing sport alongside his able-bodied friends, but he admits once he joined the amputee football “family” things changed.

“I used to play football with my prosthetic in net for school and one day a coach came down and showed me a couple of clips of amputee football,” he said.

“I went to a training camp wanting to still be a goalkeeper, but in amputee football you have to be an arm amputee to be a goalkeeper so I had to get used to being outfield and once I started playing outfield I stopped wanting to be a goalkeeper straightaway.

“Even if you don’t play sport there is always a place for you.

“There are kids and adults who have lost their legs recently, who never mind playing don’t think they will walk again.

“Then they come down and try it and next thing you know they’ve got the bug.

“Even if you think the worst is going to happen, that’s not the case, always think positive, get yourself involved.”

Ramsden is in good company at Everton as they have six England representatives in the team, who play seven-a-side games which last 50 minutes.

Among his team-mates is Steve Johnson, Everton’s disability manager who was world amputee footballer of the year in 1999, has played in three World Cups and scored an extra-time winner against Brazil in the 1990 World Cup final, England’s last tournament success before their recent Nations League triumph in Poland.

“I first started in 1987 and then there wasn’t social media, so it was just pitches in limb centres and finding players was a real challenge, but it has grown, social media has helped quite a lot,” said Johnson, who has been involved at Everton since 2003.

“Everton has a long history working with disabled people, but we have to generate a lot of those funds ourselves.

“The FA put a lot of resources into promoting the women’s game and that needs to happen for disability football, not just amputees, to get them challenging for trophies at major competitions.”

Everton in the Community’s disability programme engages more than 200 disabled adults per week and over 400 disabled children and young people each year, offering competitive opportunities for 11 pan-disability and specific impairment teams for children and adults that are available to males and females.

“It is open for anyone who wants to take part, it’s not set in stone. We recruit wherever we can,” said Everton Amputees manager and EitC disability co-ordinator Mark Dolan.

“The pathway is there to go and play for England. We have various different players along the path and Rhyce is an example of one of the up-and-coming players at England.”

The winger was absent for Erik ten Hag's side at Old Trafford, with the manager simply stating he was injured.

But ahead of Friday's FA Cup clash with Everton, the club revealed Antony had been training on Wednesday, putting concerns to rest over any lingering problems.

Antony netted in his first three Premier League games for the Red Devils following his arrival at the start of the campaign, although he has not scored again since then.

The Brazil international's most recent goal came against Everton, and he will hope to be involved against the Toffees this week.

However, it appears former Everton loanee Donny van de Beek is set for a spell on the sidelines.

In just his second league start of the season, the midfielder was on the receiving end of a brutal challenge from Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi.

Ten Hag was unable to disclose the extent of the issue in his post-match comments, acknowledging: "We need to wait 24 hours. But it is not looking very good."

Jordan Pickford was in fine form between the sticks for the Toffees, who also defended excellently to frustrate their hosts on Saturday.

Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka came closest for the Gunners but were both brilliantly denied by England's goalkeeper.

Gabriel Martinelli also had two efforts blocked after Abdoulaye Doucoure had gone closest for Everton early on.

And other than a late penalty shout for a tackle by Vitalii Mykolenko on Thomas Partey, which was waved away by the referee and the decision upheld by VAR, Everton were able to keep any late drama to a minimum.

The draw leaves Arsenal in third position, behind Liverpool, who could only draw with Fulham, and Chelsea, while Everton are 15th.

The Gunners, who could go second with a win on Saturday, are currently on a six-match unbeaten run in all competitions, only dropping points in a 1-1 draw in the top-flight against Fulham last Sunday.

Since the start of last season, Arsenal have scored more goals via corners than any other side (23), doing so in each of their last three Premier League games (four goals).

They proved they can still score from open play in their 3-0 win over Monaco in the Champions League on Wednesday, and Arteta is confident they can do so in the Premier League too, given the positions they get into.

"No, I don't worry [about the lack of open-play goals] because when I watch the game, the situations we have in open play and what the opposition has created in open play, I don't know if we can do much more than that," Arteta said.

"Set-pieces are a consequence of what we do in open play and how we do defensively. It's a phase that is part of that.

"I know that you see this as set-pieces and that as open play, and I see set-pieces and open play all together, but I respect that a lot. I don't agree, but I respect it!

"We want to create more from every angle and from set-pieces as well, so always trying to evolve and be better."

Meanwhile, Everton did not play last weekend due to the postponed Merseyside derby but ended a run of five without a win with their 4-0 thrashing of Wolves last time out.

It was also the first time they had scored since late October, and Jesper Lindstrom credits the team’s mental strength for getting them through the tough period.

"We have a strong group, honestly," he told the club's media channels. "The team ethic is really strong.

"We had a tough start again this year, but I feel like we've regrouped, and we can push on from where we are."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Arsenal – Martin Odegaard

Since returning from injury on November 10, Martin Odegaard has created the most chances of any player in the Premier League (17).

Seven of those were created for team-mate Bukayo Saka, the most from one player to another in that time.

Everton – Dwight McNeil

Only Dwight McNeil (three goals, three assists) has been involved in more Premier League goals for Everton this season than Ashley Young (one goal, three assists).

Along with that, the Toffees' midfielder has created 33 chances in the top-flight this term, more than anyone else in his team.

MATCH PREDICTION: ARSENAL WIN

After a run of four defeats in five Premier League games against Everton between 2020 and 2023 (W1), Arsenal have now won each of their last three against the Toffees.

In fact, the Gunners' 102 wins against Everton is the most any side has beaten another in English top-flight history, while their 344 top-flight goals against the Toffees is also the most.

Arsenal have won 81% of their home Premier League matches in 2024 (P16 W13 D2 L1), their best home win percentage in a year since winning 84% of their games in 2007 (16/19).

Meanwhile, Everton have won just one of their last 28 Premier League away games against Arsenal (D4 L23), picking up a 1-0 victory in April 2021.

Sean Dyche's side have failed to score in each of their last three away Premier League matches, attempting 42 shots with an expected goals (xG) of 3.26 without success and are the only side without an away goal since the start of November. They last went four in a row without a goal across October/November 2022.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Arsenal – 72.4%

Draw – 16.5%

Everton – 11.1%

Arteta's side have drawn consecutive Premier League games for the first time since April 2023 and have now won only eight of their 16 league matches this season.

The Gunners dominated in terms of chances, accumulating an expected goals figure of 1.42 from 13 shots, but were frustrated by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and the Toffees' stubborn backline.

Arteta said: "It's very disappointing not to win the game. We fully deserved to win the game.

"We conceded no shots and we dominated play. When we generated big chances we didn’t score a goal.

"It doesn't matter [that Everton had 10 days to prepare]. Look at the intensity we generated in the second half.

"We dominated the game so much."

Pickford made five saves, with a superb, instinctive stop from Bukayo Saka's volley early in the second half a standout.

Everton remain without a point in the Premier League this season, despite having gone two goals up in back-to-back matches. Dwight McNeil gave Everton the lead against the run of play on 16 minutes, before turning provider for Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s header 11 minutes later.

The deficit awakened a previously struggling Watkins, who pulled one back before half-time by nodding home a Lucas Digne cross from close range. Watkins added to his tally after the break, tapping in after a mistake from Jack Harrison.

Duran played super-sub yet again, entering the pitch on 69 minutes before firing Villa into the lead seven minutes later with a blistering strike from 30 yards out.

Calvert-Lewin nearly levelled soon after to spoil the party but his shot bounced back off the crossbar.

The victory lifts Villa into third place, only behind Liverpool on goal difference. Everton, meanwhile, remain stuck to the bottom having lost four out of four in the Premier League.

Data Debrief

Everton are now only the second side in Premier League history to lose back-to-back games after leading by two or more goals in both. The other side was their opponents in the last match - Bournemouth (October/November 2022).

It marked the sixth time that Aston Villa have come back from two or more goals in the Premier League. 

Now, after just four games of the season, Duran has scored three winners from the bench. No player has scored more winners as a substitute in a single Premier League campaign.

Maxwell Cornet's 85th-minute winner proved the difference, making this the first defeat for Everton from a winning position at half-time since December 2019.

Following Nathan Collins' opening goal, Richarlison's two penalties in the first 45 minutes also made for the first time in Premier League history an away team had scored two penalties in the opening period.

Burnley only took 12 minutes to equalise in the second half, however, after Charlie Taylor skipped past Jonjoe Kenny to provide the assist for Jay Rodriguez.

Cornet was on hand to score the late winner after Everton failed to clear their lines, bringing 18th-placed Burnley within a point of the Toffees and Premier League safety.

The win is only the fourth in the league for Sean Dyche's side this season, breaking a four-game losing streak.

The Premier League performed a U-turn on Friday by announcing all games will be suspended until April 3 in wake of a number of high-profile incidents.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is among those to have contracted COVID-19 and Everton's squad and staff were told to self-isolate after one of their players showed symptoms consistent with the virus.

Ancelotti feels the time is right to postpone football at all levels and is unsure when exactly his side will reconvene to complete their remaining fixtures.

"We're not really self-isolating at all, but some prevention measures did come in after a player had a fever, but his temperature has dropped now and that’s the most important thing," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"The Premier League did stop eventually, and it's about time. It was the right decision faced with the scenario. We couldn't continue. Health is the most important thing for everyone: teams, fans, media, everyone who works in football.

"In theory, we ought to get back to work on March 22, but if the situation should worsen, how can we even think of that? If the coronavirus is still spreading rapidly, football cannot resume.

"Football counts for zero right now and it almost irritates me to be talking about it, faced with the tragedy that is unfolding in front of our eyes. This is a pandemic, a situation none of us had experienced before now."

There have been more than 21,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in Italy, with close to 1,500 deaths - second only to China - while 21 people have died in the UK.

And the Italian coach was unconvinced by comments from Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday when suggesting life should continue as normal.

"The number of deaths in Italy is terrible. In one day, another 250 people died. The priority is to concentrate on this fight, the rest doesn't matter," Ancelotti said.

"Italy were forced to understand that it was time to stop being superficial, they had to respect the orders and stay home, to respect themselves and others during this war.

"I watched Boris Johnson's speech on TV and it seems to be someone here hasn't realised the gravity of the situation. Life continues as normal, to a certain degree."

Everton shut down their facilities, with players and staff advised to self-isolate after an unnamed member of the squad showed symptoms of coronavirus.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the suspension of all Europe's major football leagues, including England's top four divisions.

However, Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti told Gazzetta dello Sport on Saturday that the team were not in self-isolation, though they are taking precautionary measures.

On Friday, Pickford attended a charity boxing evening in Durham, alongside his wife.

But the 26-year-old, who has come under criticism for his performances at times this season, insists he did not go against protocol.

"[Friday] night I attended a boxing event with my family," Pickford shared in a message on his official Twitter account.

"Recently, my local boxing event had a fire. In conjunction with one of my sponsors, we helped the club to get back on its feet by helping out.

"There are many young grassroot boxers training here and it helps the local community.

"I had made a commitment to them that I would attend the event and prior to going I spoke to the club doctor to ensure I was okay to attend."

Everton had been due to host rivals Liverpool – who need two wins to secure their first Premier League title – in the Merseyside derby on Monday.

The Daily Star published a story claiming the 20-year-old Italian striker filmed himself partying and sent clips to a private Snapchat group.

A statement from Premier League club Everton said: "Everton are appalled to learn of an incident in which a first-team player ignored government guidance and club policy in relation to the coronavirus crisis.

"The club has strongly expressed its disappointment to the player and made it clear that such actions are completely unacceptable.

"The amazing people in the NHS ­deserve the utmost respect for their hard work and sacrifice.

"The best way to show them respect is by doing everything we can to protect them."

The Premier League season was suspended last month due to the spread of COVID-19, which has killed over 20,000 people in the United Kingdom.

The news comes as the Premier League prepares to stage an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss how to proceed with forthcoming fixtures and the ongoing season, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to compromise existing arrangements.

Carlo Ancelotti's team are scheduled to face Liverpool in a Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Monday – a fixture that now appears highly unlikely to take place.

A statement issued by Everton read: "Everton Football Club can confirm that, as a precautionary measure, its entire first-team squad and coaching staff are undertaking a period of self-isolation following medical advice.

"The step has been taken after a first-team player reported symptoms consistent with coronavirus. The club is in regular contact with the player in question and is monitoring the well-being of all players and staff."

Additionally, Everton have closed down all club facilities, including Goodison Park, its Finch Farm training base and its headquarters at the Royal Liver Building in Liverpool city centre.

On Thursday, the Premier League publicly committed to fulfilling its fixtures this weekend in line with UK government advice that did not recommend the cancellation of sporting fixtures, although events have since escalated.

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi have both tested positive for COVID-19.

A Manchester City player, reported to be full-back Benjamin Mendy, is self-isolating as a precaution after a family member was hospitalised with symptoms of a respiratory illness.

News from Arsenal, Chelsea, City and Everton added to Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers confirming three of his players had been isolated from their team-mates after displaying mild symptoms, meaning a quarter of the clubs in England's top flight were directly affected.

Leicester are due to travel to Watford on Saturday, although Hornets boss Nigel Pearson told reporters one of his players is awaiting test results after a number of his squad were symptomatic.

"We've had players who have had symptoms of not being well," he said. "We've got one player awaiting test results on his symptoms. We are trying to be proactive and hopefully the Premier League will make a strong decision based on what is good for everybody.”

Decisions made by UEFA and CONMEBOL to push back Euro 2020 and the Copa America until 2021 opened the door for domestic competition to continue longer than initially planned.

Upon announcing a four-week extension to the initially planned hiatus on Thursday, the Football Association (FA) revealed it would allow its leagues to continue beyond the June 1 deadline set out in its regulations.

The eventual run-in could prove to be heavily congested. Some Premier League teams are still competing on three fronts, others possess a game in hand, while UEFA is still hoping for a round of international matches in June.

If no games are cut out, we look at how the calendar for English teams could hypothetically shape up if competitions across Europe were able to resume following April 30.

May 2/3 - Matchday 30

May 7 - Postponed Europa League last-16 first legs and unplayed matchday 29 games

May 9/10 - Matchday 31

May 12/13/14 - FA Cup quarter-finals

May 16/17 - Matchday 32

May 19/20/21 - Champions League and Europa League last-16 second legs

May 23/24 - Matchday 33

May 26/27/28 - Champions League and Europa League quarter-final first legs

May 30/31 - Matchday 34

June 2/3/4 - Champions League and Europa League quarter-final second legs

June 6/7 - Matchday 35

June 13/14 - International week

June 20/21 - Matchday 36

June 23/24/25 - Champions League and Europa League semi-final first legs

June 27/28 - Matchday 37

June 30/July 1/2 - FA Cup semi-finals

July 4 - Matchday 38

July 7/8/9 - Champions League and Europa League semi-final second legs

July 11 - FA Cup final

July 15 - Europa League final

July 18 - Champions League final

Everton head coach Ancelotti has spoken with Klopp amid the coronavirus pandemic and said the German had concerns over his side’s continental fixture going ahead in front of a full stadium on March 11.

Liverpool went out of the Champions League after the second leg of their last-16 tie ended in a 4-2 aggregate defeat, their last match before top-level football was widely halted due to the outbreak.

Ancelotti told Corriere dello Sport: "I heard from Klopp the other day, he told me that going ahead with the game in those conditions was a criminal act. I think he was right."

Former Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Milan boss Ancelotti predicts there will be an economic "downsizing" after the virus has passed, with football feeling the effects of that.

"We are all living a life that we were not used to and that will change us profoundly," he said. "I'm sure we will all have to downsize, starting with football.

"Today, the priority is health, limiting the contagion. When you start again, when you finish, the dates - believe me, I don't care. At the moment, that's the last thing on my mind.

"I hear talk about cutting salaries, suspension of payments. They seem like inopportune solutions.

"Soon the economy will change, and that's at all levels: The TV rights will be less, players and coaches will earn less, tickets will cost less because people will have less money.

"I repeat, what matters now is to fight the virus effectively. Then, of course, if it will be possible to continue the season... otherwise, amen."

The Everton manager admits he has knee issues that were only worsening during his all-consuming daily work.

But with football on hold in England and across much of the globe, former Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid boss Ancelotti is determined to do himself a major fitness favour.

Although he has Everton duties to attend to, and is devouring series on Netflix and Apple TV, Ancelotti is making the most of his chance to walk and cycle, ensuring he gets his daily permitted exercise.

“When I am working I have no time to do this, so I have problems with my knees," Ancelotti said. “I try to use this time to improve the condition of my knees. I like to hear the sound of my bike.”

Had he been in his homeland of Italy, Ancelotti would not have such freedom.

That country is on a tighter lockdown than England, and Ancelotti knows he is fortunate to have an opportunity to get out and about near his coastal Crosby home, a short distance north of Liverpool.

He stressed the need to observe social distancing while exercising.

“It is not a good time in the world, in England and Italy and around Europe, because of this pandemic," Ancelotti told Everton's official website.

"But from the other aspect, the fact we have the possibility to walk and bike is important for ourselves - it is a good time for this.

"I met some supporters out biking, from a safe distance, of course. In Italy you are not allowed to do this.

"I am in contact with a lot of people in Italy and they are forced to stay at home, so it is not a good time for them."

The 29-year-old Spaniard confirmed his result in a video posted to Instagram, where he appeared to be in good health and was wearing a Betis shirt.

Mass testing of players from LaLiga clubs is under way as the league prepares for a June resumption.

Officials said on Sunday that five players from unspecified clubs across the top two divisions in Spain have tested positive for the virus and are in isolation.

Robles said in his video message: "Hello everyone, I wanted to confirm my positive test for coronavirus."

He announced last week that his wife is pregnant with the couple's second child, and Robles added on Sunday: "We are very well, my wife with the pregnancy, the little girl is perfect.

"I am asymptomatic and have had no symptoms or discomfort in the past few weeks.

"I will keep training at home under the instructions of the medical service.

"I want to tell you to be cautious. I am responsible, I have protected myself and I have the virus, and think of those you cherish and the people who are on the front line ensuring the safety of all. A hug to all, do not relax."

The Premier League announced the results after 748 tests were administered across Sunday and Monday.

Those who were positive have been ordered to self-isolate for a week.

A statement read: "The Premier League can today confirm that, on Sunday May 17 and Monday May 18, 748 players and club staff were tested for COVID-19.

"Of these, six have tested positive from three clubs.

"Players or club staff who have tested positive will now self-isolate for a period of seven days. 

"The Premier League is providing this aggregated information for the purposes of competition integrity and oversight.

"No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the Premier League due to legal and operational requirements."

The Premier League, like most major sporting competitions across the globe, has been on hiatus since March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A decision to suspend the competition was taken after Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi were both found to have contracted COVID-19.

The Bundesliga became the first major European league to resume action at the weekend, while Premier League clubs have voted to return to training in small groups without contact work from Tuesday, despite reports over conflicts of interest among the 20 teams on aspects to do with 'Project Restart'. 

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said on Monday there was flexibility on the June 12 target for fixtures to be played. 

The Everton midfielder has seen his football career stall in recent seasons but has now spoken on the reasons behind a mental health battle that saw him contemplate hanging up his boots at the age of 24.

In an emotional interview, the England international fought back tears as he laid bare his difficult upbringing before he was adopted by the Hickford family – saying he was “molested” at the age of six.

Speaking to Gary Neville on The Overlap podcast in partnership with Sky Bet, Alli said: “(Childhood) is something I haven’t really spoken about that much, to be honest.

“My mum was an alcoholic. I was sent to Africa (to stay with his father) to learn discipline, and then I was sent back. At seven, I started smoking, eight I started dealing drugs.

“Eleven, I was hung off a bridge by a guy from the next estate. Twelve, I was adopted – and from then, I was adopted by an amazing family – I couldn’t have asked for better people to do what they’d done for me. If God created people, it was them.

“There were a number of times my adopted family and my brother – you know, it makes me sad – they would take me to rooms crying, asking me to just speak to them, tell them what I’m thinking, how I’m feeling, and I just couldn’t do it because I wanted to deal with it by myself.”

After signing for Tottenham from MK Dons, Alli enjoyed a fine run of form that culminated in playing a key role in England’s progress to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018.

But Alli was still battling in silence off the pitch – leading to a “scary” addiction to sleeping pills and a reliance on alcohol.

“I got addicted to sleeping tablets and it’s probably a problem that not only I have, I think it’s something that’s going around more than people realise in football,” he said.

“I think, without me realising it – the things I was doing to numb the feelings I had…I didn’t realise I was doing it for that purpose, whether it be drinking or whatever.

“I don’t want to talk about numbers but it was definitely way too much, and there were some scary moments I had.

“To take a sleeping tablet and be ready for the next day is fine, but when you’re broken as I am, it can obviously have the reverse effect because it does work for the problems you want to deal with.

“That is the problem – it works until it doesn’t. So yes, I definitely abused them too much. It is scary, now I’m out of it and I look back on it.

“Probably the saddest moment for me, was when (Jose) Mourinho was (Tottenham) manager, I think I was 24. I remember there was one session, like one morning I woke up and I had to go to training – this is when he’d stopped playing me – and I was in a bad place.

“I mean it sounds dramatic but I was literally staring in the mirror – and I was asking if I could retire now, at 24, doing the thing I love. For me, that was heart-breaking to even have had that thought at 24, to want to retire. That hurt me a lot, that was another thing that I had to carry.”

Having left Spurs for Everton in 2022, Alli spent last season on loan at Besiktas but upon returning to England with an injury that required surgery he knew he needed help, checking into a clinic in the United States.

“When I came back from Turkey, I came in and I found out that I needed an operation and I was in a bad place mentally and I decided to go to like a modern-day rehab facility for mental health,” he said.

“I was caught in a bad cycle. I was relying on things that were doing me harm and I think I was waking up every day and I was winning the fight, you know; going into training, smiling, showing that I was happy.

“But inside, I was definitely losing the battle and it was time for me to change it because when I got injured and they told me I needed surgery, I could feel the feelings I had when the cycle begins and I didn’t want it to happen any more.

“They deal with like addiction, mental health, and trauma because it was something that I felt like it was time for.

“I think with things like that, you can’t be told to go there, I think you have to know, and you have to make the decision yourself, otherwise it’s not going to work.

“I went there for six weeks and Everton were amazing about it. They supported me 100 per cent and I’ll be grateful to them forever…I was probably making the biggest decision of my life – something I was scared to do.

“But I’m happy I’ve done it and to be honest, I couldn’t of expected it to go the way it did.”

Alli has received support online from former team-mates including Jan Vertonghen and Harry Kane.

England captain Kane tweeted: “Proud of @dele_official for speaking out and sharing his experience to try and help others.”

In an emotional interview, the Everton midfielder fought back tears as he laid bare his difficult upbringing before he was adopted by the Hickford family.

Alli also told Gary Neville in The Overlap podcast in partnership with Sky Bet that he has battled a sleeping pill addiction and only came out of rehab last month as he struggled with his mental health.

The England international, who spent last season on loan at Besiktas, said: “When I came back from Turkey, I came in and I found out that I need an operation and I was in a bad place mentally.

“I decided to go to like a modern-day rehab facility for mental health. They deal with like addiction, mental health, and trauma because it was something that I felt like it was time for.

“I think with things like that, you can’t be told to go there. I think you have to know, and you have to make the decision yourself, otherwise it’s not going to work.”

Alli said that he had been able to mask his difficulties.

“To be honest, I was caught in a bad cycle. I was relying on things that were doing me harm and, yeah, I think I was waking up every day and I was winning the fight, you know, going into training, smiling, showing that I was happy,” he said.

“But inside, I was definitely losing the battle and it was time for me to change it because when I got injured and they told me I needed surgery, I could feel the feelings I had when the cycle begins and I didn’t want it to happen anymore.

“So, I went there, I went there for six weeks and Everton were amazing about it, you know. They supported me 100 per cent and I’ll be grateful to them forever.”

Alli – a key part of the England side that reached the 2018 World Cup semi-finals – laid bare the sickening abuse he received as a child, saying he was “molested” at the age of six.

“I was sent to Africa to learn discipline, and then I was sent back,” he said. “At seven, I started smoking, eight I started dealing drugs.

“An older person told me that they wouldn’t stop a kid on a bike, so I rode around with my football, and then underneath I’d have the drugs, that was eight. Eleven, I was hung off a bridge by a guy from the next estate, a man.

“Twelve, I was adopted – and from then, it was like – I was adopted by an amazing family like I said, I couldn’t have asked for better people to do what they’d done for me. If God created people, it was them.”