Everton face Liverpool on Monday night at Anfield. The Toffees put up a spirited performance against Arsenal in Sean Dyche’s first game in charge as they won 1-0 against the league leaders thanks to James Tarkowski’s goal. In the game, Dominic Calvert-Lewin was taken off after 60 minutes as a precaution.
Everton have been sweating over Calvert-Lewin’s fitness as the Englishman struggles to keep himself fit and battles niggles regularly. The player has just played 735 minutes of the Premier League season, featuring in 11 games out of a possible 21.
Apart from Calvert-Lewin, winger Demarai Gray had suffered a small injury in training which saw Dyche go with Alex Iwobi and Dwight McNeil on the flanks against Arsenal. Nathan Patterson suffered a knee injury at the start of the year and has remained on the sidelines until now.
The major focus will remain on Calvert-Lewin, who was a major doubt for the Liverpool game as he feels tightness in his hamstring. The Toffees need Calvert-Lewin to spearhead the attack as Neal Maupay has not been impressive but as things stand EFC are still monitoring Calvert-Lewin’s condition
Everton Injury News as Dominic Calvert-Lewin doubtful for Liverpool game
"We are still monitoring him. He’ll be touch and go at best for the Liverpool game. We just have to hope it settles down sooner rather than later. He’s had a couple of niggly injuries and on top of that getting his body to adapt for the longer term. He put in a shift in the last game but he has got a niggly hamstring and we have to get on top of that as quickly as we can. (via club’s official Youtube channel)"
Apart from Calvert-Lewin, there have been few minor injuries and minor fitness concerns. Michael Keane is a defender that Dyche knows well but the 30 year old has had fitness worries this season and he is working hard to gain match fitness.
"We are okay at the minute. Few knocks and bruises but nothing major. I spoke to him [Keane] last week about getting his true fitness. We had a behind closed doors game in the week which was valuable for the staff and the for the players to lock in some minutes and I think he just needs that. He knows roughly how we work and the expectations we have from players physically. He is looking to adapt, he looked sharp the other day and sharper and he is working hard to improve."
There aren’t any other serious injury concerns apart from Calvert-Lewin. Andros Townsend remains a long term absentee as he recovers from his cruciate ligament injury. Uncertainty remains over Calvert-Lewin’s fitness which is going to worry the Everton fans.
Will Dominic Calvert-Lewin be ready before the Liverpool game?