Everton have confirmed that Andre Gomes is ‘fit and available’ to face Liverpool. The 26-year-old has been ‘training without issues’ this week and could be in line to start in Sunday’s Merseyside derby.
Gomes missed a training ground friendly after picking up a minor knock and was a doubt to face the Reds, but Carlo Ancelotti says the midfielder is in good condition.
Ancelotti said: “Andre is really important for us. He came back before the lockdown. He needed time to perform at his best. But now he is fit, in good condition and he is comfortable on the pitch. We are really pleased that he is back.”
Gomes has made 12 appearances in all competitions for Everton this season, amassing only 878 minutes of playing time. The Portuguese international fractured his ankle in November 2019 and returned at the end of February 2020 to play three games before the season was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Liverpool, Everton are 12th in the Premier League table and have 37 points from 29 games. The Toffees are coming off the back of two defeats and a draw from their last three outings while picking up four points from their last five away from home, so they could struggle to contain a Liverpool side boasting 27 wins from 29 in the league.