Everton manager Ronald Koeman is forced to contend with injury and suspension as he prepares his side to take on Liverpool.
The Reds make the trip across Stanley Park for their first Merseyside derby of the season on Monday night, looking to keep up their fine form against the Toffees.
Having not lost to Everton since 2010, winning five and drawing seven games with their rivals after that 2-0 defeat at Goodison Park, Jurgen Klopp‘s side will be in a confident mood.
This will be boosted by the absence of two of Koeman’s key men, with the Dutchman forced to alter his selection in both defence and attack.
Club captain Phil Jagielka is suspended, after being sent off for two yellow-card offences in Tuesday night’s 2-1 victory at home to Arsenal.
Meanwhile summer signing Yannick Bolasie, who joined from Crystal Palace in a £25 million deal in August, is sidelined for the long term, with a knee injury that could keep him out until 2018.
“Bolasie had surgery on his meniscus but now needs another on his ACL,” Koeman told reporters on Friday. “He will be out for a long time.”
While Klopp will be faced with absences of his own, with Philippe Coutinho (ankle) and Danny Ings (knee) among those sidelined, the German arguably has better options as cover.
In Jagielka’s place, Koeman is likely to turn to Ramiro Funes Mori as partner to Ashley Williams, who scored the late winner against the Gunners.
Funes Mori was sent off for a shocking tackle on Divock Origi in the last Merseyside derby in April, with there no doubt some bad blood between the duo on the night at Goodison.
Origi has scored five goals in his last five games, and will be a major test of both Funes Mori and Williams in defence.
Koeman could field any of Kevin Mirallas, Aaron Lennon, Gerard Deulofeu or Enner Valencia as supporting options for Romelu Lukaku in Bolasie’s absence.
James McCarthy has also been utilised in a more advanced role this season, and provides the Dutchman with another option.
Klopp is hopeful of being able to call upon Joel Matip, Emre Can and Daniel Sturridge at Goodison Park, but is without Coutinho, Ings and Marko Grujic.
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