Everton manager Sean Dyche was handed his first loss as Everton boss as the Toffees fell to a 2-0 defeat at Anfield against city rivals, Liverpool. The Merseysiders were without Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who missed the game because of a hamstring issue.
In Calvert-Lewin’s absence, Dyche deployed Ellis Simms up top but the 22 year old struggled to have an impactful night. Calvert-Lewin is struggling with a hamstring issue, which also forced him to come off after 60 minutes against Arsenal.
Dyche did reveal that Calvert-Lewin was feeling tightness in his hamstring and would undergo a scan. Despite the scans being normal, Calvert-Lewin continued to feel tightness and was a major doubt for the Merseyside derby after missing training sessions.
The 51 year old manager is aware of the injury problems and fitness issues that the 25 year old striker has suffered with in the past 18 months and getting him fit in the final phase of the 2022-23 season is key. Calvert-Lewin can play a big role in Everton’s survival battle.
Everton manager Sean Dyche delivers Dominic Calvert-Lewin update
The 25 year old striker has missed 11 out of 22 Premier League games this season and scoring just once in 11 appearances. Last season, the Englishman missed 18 Premier League games as he battled with a fractured toe and hamstring issue.
As the Toffees try their level best to come out of the relegation zone, Calvert-Lewin will have to play an important role as he is the primary goal scorer of the side. With Neal Maupay under firing and Simms still very young and inexperienced, Calvert-Lewin must bear the highest goalscoring responsibility.
But his injury issues have troubled him and put the Toffees in grave danger as they sit in the drop zone. The Merseysiders play a relegation six pointer next weekend against Leeds United who sit 17th in the table. Dyche’s men must win this game or the result could have detrimental effects on the team’s performances.
Post the 2-0 loss to Liverpool, Dyche delivered update on Calvert-Lewin as he remains a risk for the Leeds game.
"We are just watching it and monitoring it, obviously he needs to get himself right, not just the injury but generally. He has had a tough time so we need to monitor him. (via BBC)"
The Toffees are still in the relegation zone and cannot afford to not have Calvert-Lewin in the team. The English striker needs to remain fit for the rest of the season and get his confidence back.