Everton v Liverpool: Merseyside derby team news

MatchEverton v Liverpool: Merseyside derby team news

Published
By Joe Urquhart

Arne Slot may once again be able to call upon Trent Alexander-Arnold for Wednesday's Merseyside derby, with the defender closing in on a return to action.

The No.66 has been absent since his enforced substitution at AFC Bournemouth earlier this month, missing the Reds' last two outings as a result.

Alexander-Arnold has returned to training in recent days, though, to stake a claim for involvement in the 7.30pm GMT kick-off against Everton at Goodison Park.

Slot told his pre-match press conference on Tuesday: "Trent has done parts of training sessions with us. Not 'sessions', a session, yesterday.

"So, let's see how he is today. He will train, hopefully, with us again and then we have to decide if we take him to the game, yes or no."

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Joe Gomez, meanwhile, is ruled out of the match after seeing his return against Plymouth Argyle on Sunday brought to an end prematurely in the first half.

Slot continued: "Joe, it's the same leg where he had the injury last time. We are still assessing that, but he will definitely not be available tomorrow."

Tyler Morton remains Liverpool's only other absentee ahead of the contest, with the midfielder rehabilitating a shoulder issue.

The home side, meanwhile, are hopeful of having Vitalii Mykolenko available after he missed his team's defeat by Bournemouth last weekend in the Emirates FA Cup.

Blues boss David Moyes said on the eve of the fixture: "He's started some training today so hopefully he could be available. That's probably the main one."

Everton have six other senior players currently sidelined: Armando Broja, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Youssef Chermiti, Seamus Coleman, Dwight McNeil and Nathan Patterson.

"We're short with our squad at the moment," said Moyes. "We've got Tim [Iroegbunam] on the way back. He's beginning to get himself back in a position where he's ready to play.

"Jimmy [Garner]'s done a really good job in the two games he's played."

After arriving at the club on loan in the winter transfer window, Charly Alcaraz made his debut for the Blues on Saturday.

Quizzed on whether he could now be in line to start against the Reds, Moyes said: "He's done enough by his performance to start the game. Whether I do is another thing. I think sometimes when you bring someone in, you don't know how long it'll take for someone to settle.

"I have to say, he settled very well in the game. He's got Premier League experience, so he's not completely new to this. The decision will be made tomorrow on whether we start him or not."

Last match

Everton 0-2 Bournemouth (February 8): Pickford, O'Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Young, Gueye, Garner, Lindstrom, Doucoure, Ndiaye, Beto.

Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool (February 9): Kelleher, McConnell, Gomez, Quansah, Tsimikas, Endo, Nyoni, Elliott, Diaz, Chiesa, Jota.

Premier League

Wed 12 February — 19:30

Goodison Park

Premier League
Everton logo

Everton

Liverpool logo

Liverpool

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