Key midfielder returns for Everton against Liverpool

Everton will have midfielder Idrissa Gueye back in the squad following his muscle tear sustained just before the international break. Gana was sorely missed during last week’s debacle against Manchester City as the pivot pair of Morgan Schneiderlin and Wayne Rooney were overrun by the champions-elect.

Veteran defender Ashley Williams also returns to the team following the conclusion of his three game suspension after he was sent off for a flailing elbow against Burnley. Captain Phil Jagielka will likely keeps his spot in the team though after some encouraging performances in the backline.

Eliaquim Mangala, James McCarthy, Mason Holgate and Gylfi Sigurdsson are all out with longer term injuries, likely till the end of the season.

Liverpool have a bigger game to look forward to with the return leg of their Champions League quarterfinal against City looming on Tuesday and Jurgen Klopp has a long list of injuries to contend with.

His biggest headache is what to do with Mohamed Salah, who left the midweek game injured but is expected to be fit for today’s game. The forward has been in sizzling form this season and Klopp will be tempted to leave him on the bench against the Blues.

Midfielders Emre Can, Adam Lallana and Ben Woodburn are all injured and will miss out. Defenders Ragnar Klavan, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez are also injured, though Klavan might be fit to play.

Under-23s Rafa Camacho, Curtis Jones and Conor Masterson are all expected to part of the squad after being withdrawn from the youth team game yesterday.