Everton handed boost with Liverpool player reportedly set to miss Merseyside derby
A Guinean journalist has reported that Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita has tested positive for COVID-19, ruling him out of his side’s game v Everton this weekend.
Keita is currently away on international duty with his country and reportedly becomes the fourth Liverpool player to test positive for coronavirus after Sadio Mane, Thiago and Xherdan Shaqiri.
Foot 224 journalist Amadou Makadji has reported that Keita and four other Guinean players have tested positive for the disease. If this news is confirmed then it will provide a boost for the Toffees ahead of Saturday’s Merseyside derby.
Liverpool should have Thiago back available after he completed his period of isolation, but Mane and Shaqiri are set to miss the derby game.
Keita has started all four of Liverpool’s Premier League games this season but was hauled off at half-time in his last outing as the Reds were humbled by a rampant Aston Villa, losing 7-2 at Villa Park.
The 25-year-old will miss his first game of the season as he looks to have finally nailed down a starting position in Jurgen Klopp’s squad following his arrival in 2018.
Everton may go into the game as favourites as they look to end their ten-year derby hoodoo against Liverpool. The Toffees sit top of the table after four games with a 100% winning record. Liverpool will provide their toughest test this season however and the reigning champions will want to get back to winning ways against their rivals.
Winning against their local rivals would be a huge statement by Carlo Ancelotti’s side as they look to improve on their disappointing 12th placed finish last season. It would signal a real change at Goodison Park as the Italian coach looks to restore Everton to their former glory.
In other Everton news, Moise Kean has opened up on his move away from Goodison Park.