Everton set for injury boost ahead of Liverpool clash | OneFootball

David Moyes Eyes European Push Ahead of Liverpool Clash

There are Merseyside derbies that feel routine, and there are those that carry consequence. This weekend’s meeting between Everton and Liverpool belongs firmly in the latter category, shaped by ambition rather than history alone. With European qualification within reach for both, the stakes at Hill Dickinson Stadium extend beyond local pride.

For David Moyes, this moment reflects progress. Everton arrive not as a side looking anxiously over their shoulder, but one glancing upwards, calculating possibilities.

Everton Team News Boosts Confidence

Moyes delivered encouraging news ahead of the derby, confirming the return of Charly Alcaraz after a lengthy absence. His availability offers renewed depth at a crucial stage of the season.

“Charly Alcaraz is back and back training now,” Moyes told the media in his pre-match press conference. “I think we’re as much close to [fully fit] as we can be.”

There remains, however, a notable absence. Jack Grealish continues to be sidelined with a foot injury, leaving Everton without one of their more creative options. Still, Moyes appears content with the broader condition of his squad, suggesting a group prepared for the demands of a defining run-in.

Liverpool Injuries Add Complexity

Liverpool’s preparations carry a different tone. Their European campaign ended abruptly with a 4-0 aggregate defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, and the physical cost of that tie lingers.

Photo: IMAGO

Hugo Ekitike’s season has been cut short following an Achilles injury, while Joe Gomez’s fitness concerns deepen defensive uncertainty. Alisson Becker, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Wataru Endo are also expected to miss out, leaving Liverpool to navigate the derby with a reshaped squad.

Yet their league position remains strong. A 2-0 win over Fulham has kept them in fifth place, holding off pressure from rivals chasing the same objective.

European Stakes Shape Merseyside Derby

For Everton, the equation is clear. Victory would bring them within two points of Liverpool, tightening a race that has gathered pace in recent weeks. Sitting eighth, they remain firmly in contention for European football, whether through the Champions League or Conference League pathways.

Moyes framed the occasion with clarity and expectation.

“Well, if they don’t rise to it, then I don’t know what they’d rise to,” added Moyes. “Over the years, if it’s having a last game of the season and avoiding relegation, then that’s nothing to celebrate, really.

“I don’t think you can be a team in the relegation zone and just surviving. I think you can celebrate winning trophies or challenging for Europe, so I hope they can enjoy this side of it rather than the side we’ve seen before.”

His words capture a shift in mindset. This is no longer about survival, but about aspiration. Liverpool may still hold the stronger hand, but Everton sense an opportunity, one that could redefine their season and reshape the narrative of this rivalry.