Confirmed: Everton trio ruled out for Merseyside derby v Liverpool
Everton will be without long-term absentees Dele Alli, Andre Gomes and Seamus Coleman for the Merseyside derby v Liverpool, Sean Dyche has confirmed.
Idrissa Gana Gueye is expected to be available after missing the recent international game for Senegal, but the long-term absentees continue to be unavailable after the international break.
Dyche confirmed that Seamus Coleman is back on the grass for the first time but is still some way away from returning to action, but “virtually everyone” else is available for selection.
“He [Gueye] had knock that needed settling down. Virtually everyone [is available] apart from the long-term,” he said.
“Dele Alli and Andre [Gomes] are out. Seamus Coleman is back on the grass for the first time.”
Level
We all know there are levels to things in football, and we’re well aware that Liverpool are a level or two above us right now on the pitch and even more off it.
But on derby day all of that goes out of the window and it comes down to who turns up on the day. Everton have every chance of getting a result here.
Dyche has had the team being threatening going forward this season but we’ve just been underperforming with our xG, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been scoring goals and Jack Harrison has come into the side and hit the ground running.
Defensively it will be tough, but the lunchtime kick-off is something that can go in our favour with Jurgen Klopp’s side regularly complaining about this slot.
The injury issues are easing up for us too, so Dyche has a strong team to choose from and could spring a surprise or two to get the result that nobody expects us to get.
In other Everton news, mass exodus on the cards as FFP charges set to be revealed in coming weeks.