Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Wed 15 April 2026 11:10, UK

Everton are preparing to face Liverpool on Sunday as they welcome their rivals for the first derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium, where a number of players could be absent.

The Toffees are currently in the hunt for a European spot, after playing out a 2-2 draw with league rivals Brentford on Saturday.

Coming from behind twice, Beto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall would secure a point in West London, keeping the two sides locked together on goal difference in seventh and eighth.

It has been a dismal season for rivals Liverpool, who are in a race for Champions League football, while their exit from Europe’s premier competition was confirmed on Tuesday, with Paris Saint-Germain seeing out a 4-0 aggregate win.

Looking ahead to the derby, Goodison News brings you some of the early team news.

Jack Grealish only confirmed absentee for Everton

It has been a fantastic year for the Blues, who find themselves in a scrap for Europe for the first time since 2017.

After a tumultuous period fighting at the wrong end of the standings, Toffees fans are beginning to feel hopeful, and a derby win on Sunday would well and truly top that off.

And on the team news front, David Moyes‘ side may have the early advantage.

Jack Grealish remains the only confirmed absentee as of now, having suffered an injury back in January that will keep him out for the rest of the season, while Charly Alcaraz is a major fitness doubt.

But on the Liverpool front, it is not looking good for Arne Slot, who is waiting on the verdict regarding Hugo Ekitike’s injury picked up against PSG, on the same evening in which he started in a front two alongside the returning Alexander Isak.

Both Curtis Jones and Joe Gomez are doubtful, while Alisson and Wataru Endo remain out until the late stages of the term.

Defenders Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are sidelined until the end of the campaign, while Stefan Bajcetic continues his stint out of action after a torrid time with injury woes.

That leaves Liverpool with eight players either our or doubtful, compared to just two for Everton at this stage.

Merseyside derby is season-defining for Everton

Sunday’s derby carries the potential to define the season for Everton.

Alongside the close positioning in the standings, the chance is there for the Toffees to take the momentum heading into the run-in.

While Champions League football may be too much of a stretch, a win against their arch rivals would make a real statement.

And after the drama in the final derby at Goodison Park, you would not put it past the Toffees to go and pick up another positive result in what is set to be a fantastic first derby at the brand new Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.