Everton boss David Moyes has confirmed his side could be without five players while taking on Liverpool at Anfield this midweek after offering an injury update in his pre-match press conference.
After the final international break of the season, the Premier League has resumed with Arne Slot’s side a maximum of 16 points away from being confirmed as champion. A victory against city rival Everton would be another step in the right direction.
“He has got a bit of an injury but we are hopeful he will be OK,” Moyes said on left-back Vitalii Mykolenko. The final decision on whether he can feature at Anfield will be made on the day.
Iliman Ndiaye and Dwight McNeil are “coming on great”, Moyes added. Ndiaye has been out for much less time than McNeil and is therefore closer to a return, with both attacking midfielders back in training but neither guaranteed to play.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, meanwhile, is back working on the grass at Finch Farm but is not going to be involved here. He is yet to rejoin team training and is not available yet and Orel Mangala is a long-term absentee with a knee injury.
James Tarkowski scored a late equalizer in the Goodison Park edition of the game just a few weeks ago. That fixture was initially postponed because of a storm meaning there is a shorter turnaround between derbies than usual.
Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure were both sent off on that occasion, of course, as well as Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff. Doucoure caused a melee when he celebrated in front of the away end and both midfielders are in contention to start the rematch at Anfield.
(Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Arne Slot, meanwhile, has confirmed that Liverpool will make a final check on Alisson Becker ahead of the game after he picked up a head injury while playing for Brazil. But his side is nearing a big boost with the timely return of Conor Bradley.
The young right-back is training with the team again but no decision has been made yet on whether he will play a part against Everton. “We have to make a smart decision with that,” Slot said.
Center-back Joe Gomez was training alone on Monday as he nears a return. Meanwhile, Real Madrid-bound Trent Alexander-Arnold is absent at the moment with a muscle injury and won’t be back for a few weeks.
Liverpool.com says: Whoever lines up for Everton, Liverpool will be the big favorite to get across the line and win the game. It will be extra sweet if the Reds do get the three points as the Premier League title edges closer.
