There is a reason why clubs spend big on strikers. They’re often the difference between winning and drawing a game.

Everton’s xG tally of 2.08 from the match against Aston Villa on Saturday showed, just like the start of last season, that we had created enough chances to win.

Unfortunately, Beto was unable to take the opportunities that came his way. It is still unclear whether either he or Thierno Barry are the answer as the main striker this season.

Although we had to settle for the 0-0 scoreline, in many ways this was a better performance than the recent victory here over Brighton and Hove Albion. We created far more chances and looked a threat every time we pushed forward.

Another day we would have won easily, and it was just our misfortune that Emi Martinez didn’t move to Manchester United on deadline day. His saves from Jack Grealish’s shot and Michael Keane’s header were superb.

Once again, Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye had excellent games, causing the Villa defence all manner of problems. James Garner had another impressive game filling in at left back, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has added an increased level of energy and tireless running to the midfield.

Apart from the summer signings, one of the best decisions that David Moyes has made was to offer Michael Keane a new contract. I have never been his biggest fan, but in the continued absence of Jarrad Branthwaite, he has proved to be a capable deputy, so much so that the presence of the Carlisle Kaiser has hardly been missed.

Michael, I owe you an apology. Saturday’s visit to our first football home will be a stringent test of how much progress Everton have made.                                                                                                                                                                 

We should go into this fixture with confidence. This is our strongest team in years, and we are certainly capable of coming away with something.

Liverpool’s defence has looked vulnerable at times, and last season Beto produced his best performances in Derby matches, causing Virgil van Dijk all sorts of problems.

He deserves to start, but perhaps if it is not working, then bring Thierno Barry on earlier, maybe after 60 minutes? Merlin Rohl has also put himself in contention for a place after an impressive cameo on Saturday.

Too often at our former stadium, it is not only Everton’s performance on the pitch that matters, but also that of the match officials.                                                                                                                                                                                         

We have been on the wrong side of some debatable decisions there recently, and as David Moyes and James Maddison, among others, have pointed out, the standard of refereeing and VAR calls appears to have deteriorated this season.

We haven’t won or scored a goal at our old arena since the Covid season, 2020/21. Nevertheless, this is a real opportunity to change that.The women’s team showed how to do it two weeks ago; now it is up to the men’s side to show that they can do the same. In fact, can we play Ornella Vignola upfront for this one?