“He’s earned it”: Moyes hints ‘stunning’ talent could make his first Everton start against Liverpool tomorrow.
Everton aim for a fourth straight Premier League win as they host Liverpool in Wednesday's rescheduled Merseyside derby.
With the original fixture postponed due to adverse weather, Everton and Liverpool will now face off in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park this week.
David Moyes’ side has regained form in the Premier League, winning their last three matches, although they recently suffered an FA Cup defeat to Bournemouth.
That fourth-round clash saw Carlos Alcaraz make his debut, replacing Abdoulaye Doucoure and impressing fans. His strong performance led to calls for him to start against Liverpool.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Moyes addressed the possibility of Alcaraz making his first start for Everton.
Moyes Remains Tight-Lipped on Alcaraz’s Potential Start
The Everton manager was non-committal about Alcaraz’s inclusion in the starting lineup.
He acknowledged that the 22-year-old had done enough against Bournemouth to warrant consideration but stopped short of confirming his place.
“He’s done enough by his performance to start the game,” Moyes admitted. “Whether I do, is another thing.
“Sometimes, when you bring in a new player, you don’t know how long they’ll take to settle. But he adapted very well.
“He has Premier League experience, so he’s not completely unfamiliar with this level. The decision on whether he starts will be made tomorrow.”
Team News for Everton vs. Liverpool
Moyes confirmed that Vitalii Mykolenko could be available for Everton, but Nathan Patterson, Seamus Coleman, and Dwight McNeil remain sidelined due to injuries.
The Toffees will also be without strikers Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Armando Broja, and Youssef Chermiti.
However, Alcaraz might be handed his first start, with some describing him as a ‘stunning’ talent.
Match Details:
Date: Wednesday, February 12
Competition: Premier League
Kickoff: 20:30 GMT
Venue: Goodison Park
For Liverpool, Joe Gomez is unavailable due to a leg injury, while Tyler Morton continues to recover from a shoulder issue.
However, there is positive news for the Reds as Trent Alexander-Arnold could return after missing two games with an injury.
