Liverpool handed boost as Everton dealt injury blow ahead of Merseyside derby

10 February 2023 , 22:30

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Liverpool handed boost as Everton dealt injury blow ahead of Merseyside derby

Dominic Calvert-Lewin looks certain to be ruled out of the derby, after injury kept him out of Everton training for a fourth day this week.

The England star played a huge role in the Blues’ massive win over Arsenal last weekend, but it came at a cost, with manager Sean Dyche saying they made a calculated gamble on his appearance in the game. That seems to have aggravated a hamstring injury, and Dyche revealed it is not looking good for the showdown with Liverpool on Monday night.

“It will be touch and go at best for the Liverpool game. We’ll just have to monitor it now and hope it settles down sooner rather than later,” he new boss explained.

"He put a real shift in, his stats were very good in the last game but unfortunately he’s got a niggly hamstring. But he has a desire to get back to his best - we saw that in the Arsenal performance.

“He’s had a fair few ups and downs with injuries and we’ve spoken about that, we are trying to align it with a lot of different things, not just the injured area. It’s a question of getting the body right, so you don’t even have to think about your fitness.”

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While Dyche admitted his striker’s absence would be a blow, he revealed that his squad are buoyant after their win, and lifted by a visit to the training ground this week by Everton legend Peter Reid.

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Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin looks set to miss Monday's Merseyside derby through injury (Paul Greenwood/REX/Shutterstock)

The new manager revealed it is part of his plan to get leading coaches and ex players to come and share their experience with his squad, with the likes of former England rugby boss Eddie Jones, and even business leaders lined up to come in.

“I like the idea of the historic figures of the club being part of it still. Embracing the past and looking to the future,” he said. “It is never wrong to speak to Peter Reid. If anyone asks ‘who is that little fella there?’, I will say he had a heart as big as a bison and he could play.

“I asked Graeme Sharp as well, and hopefully Big Joe Royle will, too. Brian Kidd is another. And other coaches. Hopefully Eddie Jones will come in. People I know in sport and business, just to get ideas.”

David Maddock