Former Liverpool goalkeeper David James believes Everton No1 Jordan Pickford faces a battle to keep hold of his England place.

James admits people may be targeting Pickford purely because he's currently at the top - but suggests Everton's fortunes in the league may need to change under Carlo Ancelotti to cement his status.

He explained to the Liverpool Echo: “I look at Pickford and there's tremendous qualities he's got. I think being the number one is very, very difficult.

“For one, people want to shoot you down, of course, because that's the nature of the game.

“And secondly, to actually be at your best is difficult and to maintain that standard in any sporting context your performances are going to ebb and flow."

James added: “There will be a need for him to be performing more often than dare I say one of the top sides where if anything you're more in line with your England performances, where you're called upon from time to time rather than sort of regular."