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Liverpool and Everton prepare to reignite English football’s most contested local rivalry on Wednesday, April 2, at Anfield, with both sides carrying contrasting motivations into this pivotal Premier League clash.

For league-leading Liverpool, the derby represents a chance to edge closer to their 20th title, while a resurgent Everton under David Moyes aims to cement their mid-table resurgence and disrupt their neighbors’ charge.

The two sides’ last meeting in February 2025 delivered one of the most dramatic chapters in derby history.

James Tarkowski volleyed a 98th-minute equalizer at Goodison Park—the final Merseyside derby at the historic ground—to snatch a 2-2 draw, sparking a pitch invasion and post-match brawl that saw four red cards issued, including to Liverpool manager Arne Slot and assistant Sipke Hulshoff.

Since replacing Sean Dyche in December 2024, David Moyes has engineered a remarkable turnaround at Everton.

The Toffees have climbed from 18th to 15th, amassing 17 points from 10 games—a pace that would yield 65 points over a full season.

In what is set to be another emotionally charged evening at Anfield, below is the latest Toffees injury news:

Vitaliy Mykolenko – out

The defender sustained a thigh muscle tear during Ukraine’s 3-0 Nations League loss to Belgium on March 24, 2025.

Initial assessments suggest a grade 2 tear, but further scans are required to confirm the severity.

Mykolenko is expected to miss 3-6 weeks, ruling him out of the upcoming Merseyside derby against Liverpool and several key fixtures.

In his absence, Ashley Young or Nathan Patterson is likely to fill in at left-back.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin – out 

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been sidelined since January 27 after suffering a grade 3 hamstring tear during Everton’s 1-0 win over Brighton.

The striker pulled up just 12 minutes into the match and has since been undergoing rehabilitation?

This latest setback adds to his history of recurring injuries.

While he has resumed individual training, Everton is taking a cautious approach to avoid further complications.

Calvert-Lewin is targeting a return in mid-April but remains unavailable for the derby against Liverpool.

Dwight McNeil – doubt

Dwight McNeil has been recovering from knee cartilage damage that required surgery in January 2025.

The winger had been dealing with persistent discomfort throughout December before undergoing a procedure to remove loose cartilage.

McNeil returned to light training in mid-March and is nearing full fitness.

Iliman Ndiaye – out 

The attacker sustained medial collateral ligament (MCL) damage during Everton’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Liverpool on February 12, 2025.

The forward twisted his knee in a challenge with Virgil van Dijk and was subsequently ruled out for several weeks.

Fortunately, scans revealed only partial ligament damage, avoiding the need for surgery.

Ndiaye has recently returned to partial team training and is targeting a comeback by April 19 when Everton take on Nottingham Forest.

Orel Mangala – out

Orel Mangala suffered a devastating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture in January.

Surgery was performed in February, and Mangala faces a lengthy recovery period of 9-12 months.

As a result, he has been ruled out for the remainder of the season and will return to his parent club, Lyon, for rehabilitation.

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