Everton looks set to be without Vitaliy Mykolenko for next week’s Merseyside derby after the defender was forced off with an injury in Ukraine’s 3-0 loss against Belgium on Sunday.
The defender was unable to continue after dropping to the ground in the 67th minute of the Nations League encounter, before being replaced by Bogdan Mykhaylichenko.
Speaking after the game, manager Serhiy Rebrov confirmed it appears to be a serious injury for the Everton left-back. “Unfortunately, he has an injury, he will do an MRI, we’ll see. I know Vitaliy. If he didn’t continue playing, then the injury was really serious,” the former Tottenham Hotspur striker explained.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian journalist Zorya Londonsk provided a fresh update after the game: “Mykolenko confirms to us in the mixed zone that it’s a thigh injury he picked up today (not clear if it’s front or back or what exactly),” he wrote on X. “He will wait and see the seriousness of it when he returns to Everton tomorrow.”
Should Mykolenko miss out, it would be a huge blow for Everton. The 25-year-old has started 27 of the Toffees’ 29 Premier League matches this term, including every game since David Moyes’ appointment in January.
He last missed a league match for Everton on 5 October, when a calf issue forced Mykolenko to sit out the goalless draw against Newcastle United, although a minor knock in the build-up to February’s Merseyside derby meant he was a doubt. Should the former Dynamo Kiev man miss out against Liverpool, Ashley Young is the obvious replacement at left-back, although Nathan Paterson could also deputize in that role.
Elsewhere, Orel Mangala will be unavailable to face Liverpool due to injury, while Moyes will likely give an update on Iliman Ndiaye, Jack Harrison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin ahead of the derby.
Liverpool will be out for revenge after the Reds conceded a late and dramatic equalizer in the reverse fixture at Goodison Park last month, while it will be the team’s first match in 17 days since the Carabao Cup final defeat against Newcastle.
As for Ukraine, Sunday’s 3-0 loss in Genk means it will remain in League B of the Nations League, with Belgium securing its top-flight status.
