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The question of who will lead Everton's attack against Liverpool in the upcoming Merseyside Derby at Anfield is perhaps the most significant selection headache for David Moyes.
Beto, who scored in his last two matches, was chosen to start against Aston Villa. Despite finding himself in several promising scoring positions, he missed numerous opportunities before being substituted for Thierno Barry with 15 minutes remaining.
Barry, a France Under-21 international, also had a golden chance late in the game but failed to convert it. He is still waiting to score his first goal since his summer transfer from Villarreal. Given his Premier League experience, including a strong performance against Arne Slot's center-backs in the same fixture last season, Beto seems likely to keep his place.
However, he failed to score in that match, hitting the post after capitalizing on a mistake by Virgil van Dijk.
Will Moyes rely on Beto to unsettle Liverpool's defence again, or will he introduce an element of surprise by selecting the less experienced Barry?
Elsewhere, the team's formation could hinge on whether Vitalii Mykolenko is fit to play at left-back. His injury problems began after he was substituted during a Merseyside Derby last year, when Everton beat Liverpool 2-0 at Goodison Park on 24 April 2024.
When questioned following the stalemate with Aston Villa regarding Mykolenko's fitness prospects after pulling out of Ukraine international duty, Moyes stated: "I have no idea yet."
Having picked up a knock during the Blues' concluding pre-season encounter at home to Roma, the ex-Dynamo Kyiv defender was ruled out for the fixtures against Leeds United and Brighton and Hove Albion – with James Garner filling in for him.
He did make his comeback against Mansfield Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
However, should he remain unavailable, the central midfielder who resumed the position against Unai Emery's team appears destined to be utilized there instead of youthful backup left-back Adam Aznou.
Regardless of who receives the call-up, it represents a formidable challenge when facing Liverpool's established talisman Mohamed Salah directly.
Subject to Garner's eventual deployment, there might be an inaugural start in midfield for transfer deadline day acquisition Merlin Rohl, who entered as a 66th minute replacement for Tim Iroegbunam.
The German appears to be challenging the ex-Aston Villa midfielder for a starting position alongside Idrissa Gueye.
Everton currently seem well-equipped in the attacking midfield departments, with Charly Alcaraz, Dwight McNeil and the summer's marquee signing Tyler Dibling all remaining unused substitutes against the West Midlanders.
The trio of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye appears set to persist, with Moyes describing the latter duo as "fantastic" in his assessment from the previous outing.
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