EPL: Everton’s Van de Beek, Gomes ruled out of derby

Relegation-threatened Everton will be without midfielders Donny van de Beek and Andre Gomes for this weekend’s Merseyside derby against Liverpool in the Premier League, manager Frank Lampard said on Friday.

Both players were named as substitutes for Wednesday’s game against Leicester City but did not feature in the 1-1 draw at Goodison Park which kept Everton above the relegation zone by one point.

“We’ve got a couple of small injuries, Donny van de Beek won’t be fit. He’s got a small injury in his groin area… Andre Gomes is another small one this weekend,” Lampard told reporters before Everton travel to Anfield on Sunday.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin will also remain sidelined for the short trip across Stanley Park, Lampard said, after the striker missed the draw with Leicester.

Lampard added he will make a late decision over the availability of Colombian international Yerry Mina, who returned to action on Wednesday after being out with a hamstring injury for around two months.

Everton are in 17th place in the standings on 29 points, with a game in hand over Burnley in 18th on 28 points.

Juergen Klopp’s Liverpool, who are a point behind leaders Manchester City, have won 20 of their last 25 games in all competitions and lost only one.

Everton won 2-0 in the corresponding fixture at Anfield last season but Lampard said he would accept a share of the spoils this weekend given the form of their local rivals.

“We are the underdogs, that’s clear,” Lampard said. “We have to fight to the last minute, no matter what. There won’t be time on the ball, so you have to be brave, accept it and play.

“It is an incredible team and they have an incredible manager… It’s a huge fixture. I have watched it from afar many times. I am very happy to be involved.”