Everton without just one player vs Liverpool as David Moyes confirms injury boost

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Everton will be without just one player as it hosts Liverpool in the Premier League this weekend, with manager David Moyes confirming a major injury boost ahead of the clash

Everton manager David Moyes is aiming to win the first derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)

Everton manager David Moyes has confirmed that his side will be without only one player through injury ahead of the first Merseyside derby against Liverpool at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Jack Grealish, a long-term absentee with an ankle issue, is the only player that Everton will be missing as it looks to beat Liverpool and move within two points of Arne Slot's side in the race for the Champions League places.

Moyes says midfielder Carlos Alcaraz has returned to training after a minor issue, so he looks set to be available. And Everton has no other problems to contend with ahead of the clash.

Meanwhile, Liverpool will be missing six players in total, including Hugo Ekitike and Joe Gomez, who both went off against PSG in the Champions League midweek.

"He hasn't been operated on yet," Slot confirmed on Ekitike. "Devastating for him. Coming to a new club, having so much impact straight away...

"Your first thoughts are with him for missing out for such a long time, but there are so many examples of players that came back even stronger."

Arne Slot and David Moyes will meet in Sunday's derby(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

In the summer, some questioned why Liverpool signed both Isak and Ekitike. However, Slot believes that the injuries to both players have proven the Reds right.

"It's a good thing we signed two number nines," he said. "Lots of people were debating why we signed two, but now it looks like a good (idea).

"Now people are saying we should sign another in the summer!

"Someone said to me the day that you cannot write the script that on the day Alex is back, on his first start, the other (Ekitike) leaves the pitch with a long-term injury.

"It's even more of a good thing that Alex is back, but it wouldn't be the first time I didn't have someone available in a certain position, such as right-back. And Alex, we know, is not ready to play 90 yet."

Liverpool will also be without Alisson Becker against Everton. The Brazilian remains out with his latest injury, while Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo and Conor Bradley are long-term absentees.

Liverpool.com says: It is set to be a huge game this weekend and neither side will want to lose. For that reason, there is probably a decent chance that it ends up being a draw.

For Liverpool, a win would be massive to send a message at Everton's new ground and continue an upturn in form, but avoiding defeat would be another small step towards the Champions League.