Marco Silva admits that Ademola Lookman's recent form means that the 21-year-old could feature for Everton in Sunday's Merseyside derby at Anfield.
The former Charlton Athletic player, who was sent out on loan to RB Leipzig in the second half of last season, has impressed in Everton's recent matches against Brighton, Chelsea and Cardiff City.
Silva, who has no new injury problems heading into the Liverpool game, said: "Ademola is doing more than enough to play in our starting eleven.
"When I take that decision [to name him in the line-up], it will be because he is deserving of it. I am really happy with him. He knows what my opinion is. But there is no doubting his quality and his talent."
Everton have a dire recent record in Merseyside derbies and have not won at Anfield since a 1-0 victory in 1999.
It is over eight years since the Toffees enjoyed any derby success and the Reds are unbeaten in the last 17 encounters between the two clubs.
Everton are sixth in the Premier League table after picking up 16 points from their last seven games and are 8/1 to secure a rare victory at Liverpool and 7/1 to keep a clean sheet in the match.
Jurgen Klopp's team, who lost 2-1 at Paris St-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday, are 13/2 to beat Everton 2-0.
Silva added: "For sure it will be a really tough match but I want my players to have big motivation. It is a fantastic game to play and our fans will be there with us.
"Words like 'fear'do not come into our dressing room. We have to be strong in all the moments in the match to win it but that is all that is in our minds."
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Marco Silva admits that Ademola Lookman's recent form means that the 21-year-old could feature for Everton in Sunday's Merseyside derby at Anfield.
The former Charlton Athletic player, who was sent out on loan to RB Leipzig in the second half of last season, has impressed in Everton's recent matches against Brighton, Chelsea and Cardiff City.
Silva, who has no new injury problems heading into the Liverpool game, said: "Ademola is doing more than enough to play in our starting eleven.
"When I take that decision [to name him in the line-up], it will be because he is deserving of it. I am really happy with him. He knows what my opinion is. But there is no doubting his quality and his talent."
Everton have a dire recent record in Merseyside derbies and have not won at Anfield since a 1-0 victory in 1999.
It is over eight years since the Toffees enjoyed any derby success and the Reds are unbeaten in the last 17 encounters between the two clubs.
Everton are sixth in the Premier League table after picking up 16 points from their last seven games and are 8/1 to secure a rare victory at Liverpool and 7/1 to keep a clean sheet in the match.
Jurgen Klopp's team, who lost 2-1 at Paris St-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday, are 13/2 to beat Everton 2-0.
Silva added: "For sure it will be a really tough match but I want my players to have big motivation. It is a fantastic game to play and our fans will be there with us.
"Words like 'fear'do not come into our dressing room. We have to be strong in all the moments in the match to win it but that is all that is in our minds."
Source: bet365.com