Everton’s Vitalii Mykolenko is set for an injury assessment ahead of the Merseyside derby after the Ukraine international limped off during their Nations League defeat to Belgium.
Suffering a thigh issue in the tough 3-0 loss on Sunday, which initially sparked serious concerns, Mykolenko exited the match in the second half. After he was taken off, Ukraine’s coach Sergei Rebrov said that an MRI scan would be necessary to determine the extent of the damage.
Yet, speaking to Ukrainian media outlets, Mykolenko confirmed he’d check in with Everton’s medical staff for further evaluation, noting: “I suffered an injury and will undergo examination at the club. I injured my thigh. We could not counterattack and because of that, we had to defend a lot.”
Following a robust first leg lead of 3-1, Ukraine couldn’t sustain it in Genk, crumbling after Mykolenko’s 69th-minute departure as Belgium netted three quickfire goals, ousting them with a 4-3 aggregate score.
Mykolenko’s thigh dilemma casts doubt over his availability for the upcoming Merseyside derby at Anfield with Everton and Liverpool locking horns again next week. David Moyes has limited options at left-back with Ashley Young, 39, likely to come in to face off against Mohamed Salah, should Mykolenko not make it.
The Ukrainian has impressed against Salah in recent years and did so again in the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park last month. It is likely to be a position that Moyes looks to strengthen in the summer with Mykolenko struggling with a series of injuries in the past year.
Everton has been in inspired form since Moyes returned to the club and has not lost since the first match of his second spell in charge, against Aston Villa. It is now nine games unbeaten for the Toffees.
However, the last four of those matches have been draws, including the 1-1 against West Ham before the international break, thanks to a dramatic Jake O’Brien leveler.
Liverpool has injury issues of its own at full back with Trent Alexander-Arnold expected to again miss out, amid increased speculation that he will join Real Madrid this summer. Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez have also been absent for Liverpool in recent weeks, with Jarell Quansah likely to keep his place at right back.
