(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)
Match

What Virgil van Dijk has said about one Everton star ahead of Merseyside derby 

Jack Dawson
Jack Dawson

Correspondent AUTHORITY Football journalist with experience at the Edinburgh Evening News and GRV Media; Masters graduate from the University of Derby. FOCUS Scottish Premiership coverage with specialist knowledge of Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Aberdeen, and Motherwell. THE INSIGHT Jack utilises a network of club and industry contacts across the Scottish Premiership to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides the tactical and transfer insight behind the headlines to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

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Everton are busy preparing for the first Merseyside derby of the season on Saturday as they travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool.

Confidence is no doubt going to be high among David Moyes’ squad after their great start to the new Premier League campaign.

While Liverpool remain the overwhelming favourite against Everton, there is a real hope that the Toffees can get a result against their neighbours.

Now, with the match closing in, Moyes is looking to find any little advantage to help him get a result.

David Moyes being interviewed
David Moyes will be backing himself to get a result against Liverpool (Credit: Imago)

Vitalii Mykolenko could be key to Everton victory over Liverpool

Vitalii Mykolenko has been injured for Everton after being sent home from international duty.

However, there is a hope that the full-back can return to full fitness in time for Saturday’s showdown.

Speaking before the Aston Villa match, Moyes confirmed that Mykolenko was close to returning for Everton.

However, if the Ukraine international is fit, he simply has to play, especially given Virgil van Dijk’s past comments on the star.

Speaking to G3 Football in October 2023 after Liverpool’s 2-0 win over the Toffees, the centre-back heaped praise on Mykolenko for his ability to keep Mohamed Salah quiet.

  • Mykolenko joined Everton in 2022
  • The full-back has now played over 100 times for the Toffees
  • Mykolenko has missed the majority of the 2025/26 campaign through injury

He said: “Consistency is the most difficult thing in football to do in each and every game.

“I think Mykolenko did very well and played very well against him. But big players step up when you need them.”

Therefore, if this can be replicated on Saturday, it would put the Toffees in an excellent position to win

Salah is no doubt one of the best players to grace the Premier League, and keeping him quiet is key.

Now, Moyes will be banking on the full-back returning to fitness in time for the showdown. 

Everton defender Vitalii Mykolenko being suffering from an injury
Vitalii Mykolenko has been out with an injury for Everton (Credit: Imago)

How good is Vitalii Mykolenko?

Since arriving at Everton in 2022, Mykolenko has proven to be one of the Toffees’ most reliable defenders.

This is proven in the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, with the full-back impressing throughout the campaign defensively

Sofascore stats back this up, showing how Mykolenko dominated the left flank last season.

Vitalii Mykolenko stats from 2024/25 campaign in graphic
Vitalii Mykolenko has impressed at Everton (Credit: Sofascore)

Thankfully, in the games he has missed, the Ukraine international hasn’t been missed too much, with the Toffees keeping another clean sheet against Aston Villa last time out.

However, against Premier League champions Liverpool, his ability and experience are no doubt needed.

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Vitaliy Mykolenko
Virgil van Dijk
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