Ex-Manchester United duo Memphis Depay and Rafael touch down in Liverpool with Lyon ahead of Europa League showdown with Everton

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Memphis Depay and Rafael returned to the north west on Wednesday morning as Lyon landed on Merseyside ahead of their Europa League clash with Everton.

The former Manchester United duo, who could both start at Goodison Park, were pictured arriving at Liverpool's John Lennon Airport with the rest of their team-mates ahead of Thursday's Group E fixture.

Depay only departed Old Trafford during the January transfer window after a largely underwhelming 18 months, with Rafael having moved to the Ligue 1 side on a four-year deal back in 2015.

Memphis Depay (left) and Rafael arrive at Liverpool's John Lennon Airport on Wednesday

Lyon's players and staff boarded their team bus ahead of their Europa League tie with Everton

The Dutchman will come up against compatriot Ronald Koeman on Merseyside less than a year after the Toffees boss admitted he 'would like to have him' at Everton.

Speaking about Depay, who cost United £25million from Feyenoord in May 2015, Koeman told FOX Sports Netherlands programme De tafel van Kees: 'I would like to have him.

'I think he is an interesting player. He has great individual qualities. He just needs to play games.'

Everton were unable to agree a deal with their Premier League rivals for Depay and he joined Lyon during the winter window for £16m after failing to make the grade under Jose Mourinho.

The talented winger was spotted climbing onto Lyon's team bus with the rest of Bruno Genesio's men after touching down on Merseyside ahead of the game.

Lyon sit second in Group E after drawing their opening two Europa League games 1-1, away at Apollon Limassol and at home to Atalanta. 

Depay takes on Monaco's Adama Traore during Lyon's thrilling 3-2 victory last Friday

Two Lyon fans greet Mathieu Gorgelin (left) as boss Bruno Genesio makes his way onto the bus

Nabil Fekir (second from right) celebrates with his team-mates after scoring against Monaco

They will come up against an Everton side short on confidence but in desperate need of victory on Thursday following a poor start to the season.

Koeman's men sit bottom of the group having suffered an embarrassing 3-0 defeat against Atalanta in Italy before a frustrating 2-2 draw at home to Limassol.

Defeat against Lyon would almost certainly result in the hosts needing to win all three of their remaining games, with two of those coming away in France and Cyprus.