Everton expected 4-2-3-1 v Liverpool: Two changes as injuries mount up
By Will Butcher
Everton are set to be without injured trio Seamus Coleman, Ramiro Funes Mori and Morgan Schneiderlin for Saturday’s Merseyside derby against Liverpool.
Ireland captain Coleman broke his leg after a horror tackle from Wales’ left-back Neil Taylor during the international break, ruling him out for the rest of the season.
Coleman joins Schneiderlin in the treatment room after the France international picked up a calf injury against Hull last time out, which saw him withdrawn in the first half of the 4-0 win.
Argentina international Ramiro Funes Mori is likely to miss out completely from facing Liverpool after being stretchered off during his country’s loss to Bolivia with a knee injury, although he hasn’t started the last two games.
Replacing both Coleman and Schneiderlin is likely to be veteran Gareth Barry and youngster Mason Holgate, with the latter another example of Koeman’s faith in youth.
Holgate joins youngsters Tom Davies and Dom Calvert-Lewin in a side that have won eight of their last 11 league games under manager Ronald Koeman.
Joel Robles is set to remain between the sticks for the Toffees as he continues his strong run of form that has helped Everton keep four clean sheets in their last five outings.
Holgate should slot in on the right side of defence in place of 28-year-old Coleman, partnering veteran centre-backs Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka.
Leighton Baines starts at left-back, as he looks to deal with the pace of speed machine Sadio Mane come Saturday.
Barry is set to come into midfield alongside Idrissa Gueye with James McCarthy sidelined after aggravating a hamstring injury prior to Ireland’s 0-0 draw with Wales.
Teenage ace Davies will be given license to get forward in front of Gueye and Barry, as he continues his fine form after breaking into the side from the Toffees youth academy.
Calvert-Lewin will be in buoyant mood after scoring his first Everton goal against Hull during the convincing win, and he will look to support the Premier League’s top scorer Romelu Lukaku from out wide.
Lukaku and Calvert-Lewin join England star Ross Barkley in attack, after the playmaker failed to gain any minutes during the international break despite being called up to Gareth Southgate’s England side.
In other Everton news, Leon Osman believes the sky is the limit for this 23-year-old star.
We’ve launched a << BREAKING NEWS FEED>> exclusively for your club. ‘Like Us’ on Facebook by clicking here if you want 24/7 updates on all Everton breaking news.