Vitalii Mykolenko has won his fitness battle for the Merseyside derby as David Moyes names an otherwise unchanged starting line-up.

The left back missed the FA Cup defeat to Bournemouth with a calf issue but returned to training at Finch Farm on Monday. His availability is a massive boost for Moyes, who is dealing with a spate of injuries at full-back.

As a result, the 61-year-old has named the same side that started on Saturday, with new signing Carlos Alcaraz on the bench. Whether the attacking midfielder, a deadline day arrival from Flamengo, would start was the biggest dilemma facing the Blues boss.

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There were few other decisions for Moyes to make given the extent of the injury crisis currently afflicting Everton.

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Orel Mangala, Armando Broja, Youssef Chermiti and Dwight McNeil all long-term absences, Moyes again relies on centre back Jake O’Brien to fill in on the right of the defence, while Beto once again starts.

Everton youngsters Martin Sherif and Isaac Heath both start on the bench for the occasion, with Nathan Patterson and Seamus Coleman both also deemed unavailable.

Starting XI: Pickford, Mykolenko, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, O’Brien; Ndiaye, Gueye, Doucoure, Garner, Lindstrom; Beto