‘Good chance’: £45m Liverpool player could now be available to face Everton

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Liverpool have been handed a boost ahead of the Merseyside derby.

Jurgen Klopp has admitted there is a ‘good chance’ that Cody Gakpo will be available for Everton’s trip to Anfield after the international break.

The forward picked up an injury after netting Liverpool’s first-half equaliser against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend and was forced to sit out of their Europa League clash with Union Saint-Gilloise.

However, he could now return to face the Toffees later this month as Sean Dyche’s side look to win their first derby clash since the 2-0 win at Anfield in 2021.

If Everton are to beat Bournemouth this weekend then they could meet the Reds with only one defeat in four matches, while they have been much more impressive on the road than on home soil all year.

Though Klopp will have a very strong attack to choose from to come up against Everton’s backline, with Gakpo likely to make the cut.

Speaking in Liverpool’s pre-match press conference ahead of their match against Brighton, the German said: “Cody has a good chance that he will be back [after the break]. Already out of the brace, walks normal around here.”

Can Branthwaite be the hero?

Everton’s defence will have to put on a brilliant performance to stop the likes of Gakpo, Salah and Darwin Nunez later this month.

The form and brand new contract for Jarrad Branthwaite can only benefit them though, with the centre-back the most likely to put on a stellar performance against their threatening forwards.

The Toffees also have their own top man up front though, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin really enjoying his football since returning from injury.

A goal against the Cherries tomorrow could mean the striker is searching for five goals in as many games, while Liverpool’s defence has shown on more than one occasion this season that it is certainly penetrable.