Everton manager David Moyes has some potentially huge selection calls to make ahead of Wednesday night’s showdown with Liverpool. The Blues’ 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday ensures that their fixture against Arne Slot’s table-topping side is now confirmed as being the last ever Merseyside Derby of any sort at Goodison Park.

Following the loss to the Cherries, Moyes revealed that Vitalii Mykolenko had been ruled out of the tie because he felt a calf issue on the morning of the game. At the time, the Scot was still waiting to learn the extent of the problem which leaves Everton sweating on the availability of the Ukraine international for their game against the Reds.

Coming up against Liverpool’s most-prolific danger man Mohamed Salah, Mykolenko produced a pair of his best displays last season in the two Merseyside Derbies before being forced off at half-time in the last meetings between the side when the Blues triumphed 2-0 on April 24 last year with an ankle ligament injury that would keep him sidelined for the remainder of the campaign. His replacement, both then and against Bournemouth, Ashley Young, was sent off in the last Anfield Derby for two bookable offences, and just five months shy of his 40th birthday now faces the daunting task of going head-to-head against the Egyptian, who has plundered 237 goals for the Reds, if Mykolenko doesn’t make it.

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On the other side of defence, Jake O’Brien looks set to keep his place – especially if Young is required at left-back – despite a difficult afternoon against Bournemouth. The Republic of Ireland international, who is naturally a central defender, enjoyed an encouraging trio of outings in Everton’s three consecutive wins under Moyes, and with Nathan Patterson having picked up a hamstring injury, there is a lack of senior alternatives.

At centre-back, Jarrad Branthwaite appeared to be in pain at times against the Cherries, but he made it through the contest and his condition was not mentioned in the post-match press conference while his partner James Tarkowski made mistakes in the build up to both goals, conceding the penalty with his challenge on Antoine Semenyo and then giving the ball away cheaply in the build-up to the second. You would expect the captain to retain his place against Liverpool and while Michael Keane does offer a different option, he was actually brought on to play up front in the latter stages of the defeat to Bournemouth.

One player who did impress coming off the bench against Andoni Iraola’s side was debutant Carlos Alcaraz. The midfielder replaced Abdoulaye Doucoure and produced a lively second half cameo with some positive and purposeful runs, including one that won the free kick he struck the post from.

The Argentinian also seems to be something of a competitive, spiky character and might give Everton a bit of Derby Day X Factor if Moyes wants to bring in the 22-year-old as a wild card choice. Tim Iroegbunam also came on for James Garner late on and could slot in for him or Idrissa Gueye in the engine room if so desired but unless either of the pair are deemed to be too heavy-legged to start this contest, you would imagine it would be same again in the middle of the park.

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Iliman Ndiaye continues to be the talisman down the left wing but following some encouraging displays down the right under Moyes, Jesper Lindstrom, was less effective against Bournemouth and after making way for Jack Harrison, the manager namechecked the on-loan Leeds United player, who hit the post with a cross-shot, in his post-match press conference so that position in the side might be up for grabs again. There appear to be no such luxuries up front though with Beto, another one who had a bad day at the office despite his brace against Leicester City a week earlier, remaining the only fit senior striker, unless Moyes decides to stick either Ndiaye or even Keane up there to lead the line instead.