Sean Dyche to start Demarai Gray in derby day clash – Everton Predicted XI v Liverpool
Sean Dyche is predicted to make two big changes to his Everton line-up for the Merseyside derby at Anfield on Monday 13 February in the Premier League.
Dyche got off to the perfect start for the Toffees, beating top-of-the-table Arsenal at Goodison Park in a memorable win for the Blue half of Merseyside.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin looks set to miss out with Dyche sharing that the forward is “touch and go, at best” on 10 February with Neal Maupay and Demarai Gray potentially seeing returns to the starting XI.
Jordan Pickford will start in goal for the Toffees, his tried and tested gloves will be needed against what will likely be a very-attacking Liverpool side.
Conor Coady and James Tarkowski could start together at the heart of the Blues’ defence, both defenders looked revitalised in the club’s win over Arsenal.
Seamus Coleman and Vitalii Mykolenko should be on either side of the defensive flanks for Dyche’s side, Dyche revealed that right-back Nathan Patterson was back on the grass in his pre-match presser on 10 February, but a starting position in the derby may be too soon for the youngster.
Idrissa Gana Gueye, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Amadou Onana should retain their spots in Dyche’s starting XI after their resounding efforts against Arsenal at Goodison Park.
Alex Iwobi should also retain his position on the left wing for the Toffees, however, Dyche could replace Dwight McNeil with the far pacier and in-form Demarai Gray on the right wing, something which could cause Klopp’s side problems. Gray is usually deployed on the left but he may be the better-suited winger to feast on a vulnerable Reds backline.
Neal Maupay will likely be chosen to come in for the “injured” Calvert-Lewin, this would be a real opportunity for the Frenchman to stake his claim in Dyche’s side with his go-to starting XI far from set in stone as things stand.
Maupay will be tasked with taking on a makeshift Liverpool backline, which will likely be missing Virgil Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate due to injuries.
Predicted Everton line-up: Pickford, Coady, Tarkowski, Coleman, Mykolenko; Onana, Gueye, Doucoure; Gray, Iwobi; Maupay.