Marco Silva has offered a simple explanation as to why Richarlison and Gomes have found their playing time restricted in recent weeks.
Richarlison was as left out from Silva’s starting lineup in the Merseyside derby last weekend and has not completed a full 90 minutes since the 3-1 home defeat by Wolves on 2 February. He was also left out of Everton’s last high-profile fixture before the derby, against Manchester City, and substituted early against Watford and Cardiff City following quiet performances.
Andre Gomes has also not featured in the staring lineup in Everton’s two previous fixtures but Silva has made it clear a return to the side must be earned on merit and not on account of their reputation.
Marco Silva: “When I prepare for a game the names are not really important to me.
“I have one week, 10 days or whatever to prepare for a game and they have to answer to me not just in the match but after and during the week. After that I will take my decision even if it is a really important player for us and Richarlison is.
“It is not just him. André Gomes did a fantastic season until a certain moment when, like the team, he has some up and down. He’s an important player for us, a key player. When you are in a good moment and André is in a good moment he can give that extra quality for us as a team. He didn’t play the last two games.
“It’s not just Richarlison. If I take that decision then for sure Richarlison fully understands. He just has one solution – show to me during the 30 minutes he came in [against Liverpool] that he’s ready again and show during the week that he wants his place in the team. That is everything he is doing.”