Everton injury ‘Boost’ emerges for Liverpool clash as senior star set for Dyche recall
Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye may be in contention for a recall to Sean Dyche’s first eleven for Saturday’s clash against Liverpool at Anfield, according to the Liverpool ECHO.
The Senegalese international has been Dyche’s preferred option in the middle of the park so far this season, featuring in seven of their opening eight games of the season before his injury ruled him out of the Bournemouth game.
The 34-year-old made the bench for Senegal on 16 October as they faced off against Cameroon in a friendly which his side won 1-0 and came on for Nampalys Mendy in the 78th minute showing he may be fit to face off in the Merseyside derby on Saturday (21 October). mmk
And according to the Liverpool Echo (17 October), his Senegal comeback now puts him in contention for a recall in the Everton engine room against the Reds.
Stick to Cherries formula
There are some positives to Gueye’s return for Dyche. His defensive ability has been proven this season, winning an average of 4.4 ground duels per game, while he is dribbled past just 0.6 times and he makes 2.3 tackles, solidifying the midfield. [Sofascore]
However, his lack of confidence and composure in possession has started to become a concern, leading to his side frequently losing the ball and inviting pressure from the opposition as he made an average of just 35.1 accurate passes per game.
Against a Liverpool team that likes to press relentlessly under Jurgen Klopp, deploying Gueye so soon after his injury return may seem like a very needless and costly decision.
Amadou Onana and James Garner have proven worthy midfield partners due to their sound press-resistance and quality on the ball and it’s important Dyche sticks to that formula that beat Bournemouth at Anfield on Saturday.
The likelier scenario will be to then bring Gueye off the bench around the hour mark if Dyche feels he’s capable of doing what he wants at that point.
The manager has shown a lot of faith in the Senegal international and may look to get him in as soon as he possibly can but Dyche should not try and fix a winning formula, in such a crucial fixture.
