Hello and welcome to to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the pre-season friendly meeting between Genk and Everton at the Luminus Arena. The Toffees have won both of their summer outings so far, seeing off Kenyan side Gor Mahia last week and then cruising to victory against FC Twente up the road a few days ago, but this is the last chance for Ronald Koeman to run the rule over his players before their season officially begins.

That's right - we may only be in July but Everton have a pretty big game to prepare for, as they take on Slovakian outfit Ruzomberak on Thursday in the first leg of their Europa League third-qualifying round clash. Koeman has geared his side up for European football, so anything less than a two-legged victory will be a huge blow for the Toffees. Before then we have one final friendly, against the side ranked eighth in Belgium last term.

Koeman has spent around £100m on new recruits this summer, bringing in Jordan Pickford and Michael Keane for a combined £60m to shore up the back, while further forward Sandro Ramirez, Davy Klaassen and Wayne Rooney will need to fill the void left by Romelu Lukaku. The latest recruit is Cuco Martina, signed from Koeman's former club Southampton earlier this week on a free contract.

Koeman promised the 1,000 or so Everton supporters in attendance today that they would get a glimpse of new signings Jordan Pickford and Sandro Ramirez for the first time. Both players do indeed start, occupying spots at either end of the field, with the duo playing "a maximum of 60 minutes" on their return to action. Pickford and Sandro featured for England and Spain respectively in the recent Under-21 Euro 2017 tournament.

Kieran Dowell has particularly enjoyed himself during pre-season, netting a fine winner in Tanzania a little over a week ago, before following that up with another goal in the 3-0 win over Twente. The youngster is given another chance to shine today, fielded alongside former Ajax man Klaassen and returning boyhood fan Rooney, with Sandro expected to lead the line on his Toffees debut.

It is fair to say that this is very close to being Koeman's first-choice XI come the start of the season, accounting for those that will be absent for the start of 2017-18. Ross Barkley was this week ruled out for around a month, putting any rumoured move to Tottenham Hotspur to one side for the time being, while Ramiro Funes Mori will also sit out a further six to nine months - a real blow. They join long-term absentees Yannick Bolasie and Seamus Coleman on the sidelines.

It remains to be seen whether Everton have recruited well enough to bridge the gap on the top four, which surely must be the target after spending so big. While the new boys in the Toffees' ranks all boast quality, albeit with the jury still out on Rooney as he enters his latter years, they have lost one of the continent's best forward players in Lukaku. Replacing him will not be easy, so there is pressure on the likes of Sandro Ramirez, Rooney and even attacking midfielder Klaassen to chip in with goals.

Following a brief flirtation with the top five at one point, Koeman's men finished seventh in the Premier League last season. It was the expected return, seeing them below the division's elite sides but top of the pile in terms of the chasing pack. That is why the Toffees have been backed to potentially break into the top six this coming season, although the 15-point gap on the top four shows that there is plenty of work to be done.

We have already seen Everton up close twice during pre-season, beginning with a battling 2-1 win against Kenyan side Gor Mahia in Tanzania. The story of that match was Rooney's first goal for the club since returning from Man United, on what was his first outing. Dowell snatched the win fairly late on with a well-hit strike, although in truth that result probably flattered the Toffees a little going by their second-half showing.

The 3-0 win over Twente a few days back was more comfortable, picking up the morale-boosting victory thanks to goals from Dowell, Aaron Lennon and Kevin Mirallas. Squad depth will prove key this season if Everton do make it through to the Europa League proper, so it is important that they prove their worth to Koeman across these summer fixtures. All eyes are very much on Ruzomberak at this point, with that a truly massive game so early in the year.

Everton actually have another friendly to come after their two-legged qualifier, taking on Sevilla on home soil on August 6. Less than a month after that they face Stoke City in their Premier League opener, before games against - wait for it - Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in quick succession. Koeman may not like the way the fixtures have fallen, but it gives his side a chance to prove that they can crack the top six.

It is the most testing of starts for Koeman's charges, meaning that supporters will likely have to remain patient. This is another good test for them, though, with Genk playing their final friendly before beginning their league campaign with a game against Waasland-Beveren in a week's time. They finished down in eighth last term, missing the cut for the Championship playoffs, which Anderlecht came out on top of.

The Blue-White are managed by Albert Stuivenberg, who was appointed in January and guided the club to that eighth-placed finish. It is his first senior management job, having previously worked as assistant to Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford for two years, as well as taking on jobs with the Netherlands national side at Under-17s and Under-21s level. A chance to prove himself as a manager in his own right in this coming season.

Both sets of players have made their way out on to the pitch, with kickoff at the Luminus Arena just a couple of minutes away. This is Everton's final pre-season friendly before their campaign officially gets under way with a Europa League tie in five days' time, while Genk's season also begins in a week's time with a meeting against Waasland-Beveren.

KICKOFF! We are up and running in Belgium, a few minutes later than planned. Everton are expected to win this game in what is officially their last friendly before their 2017-18 campaign begins, but Genk will look to put up a stern test.

Everton attempt to spray the ball around in attack but Gueye's sloppy pass is cut out by an opposition player. Klaassen already looking to find some gaps in the hole, where he will then look to feed new teammate Sandro Ramirez up top.

Rooney drops deep close to his own half to collect possession, before laying it back off to central defender Keane. The opening five minutes of this match have been bossed by the visitors, who are starting to find their feet in attack.

SAVE! Everton may have dominated the first six minutes or so of the match, but a sloppy pass at the back helps the hosts create the first chance. The shot from Leandro Trossard was on target but £30m goalkeeper Pickford was easily able to keep it out.

Everton actually look to be in more of a 4-3-3 formation, rather than the expected 4-2-3-1. Sandro is through the middle, with support offered by Rooney and Dowell either side. Gueye the deepest of the Toffees' midfielders, just in front of the back four.

SHOT! Not the worst attempt from Leandro Trossard, who turned on the edge of the box before flashing his shot narrowly wide of Jordan Pickford's goal. A couple of efforts from the hosts over the past three or four minutes.

Dowell, on the right of the 4-3-3, gets a half-decent cross into the box. A little too deep for Sandro to get on the end of, as the Toffees struggle to create their first opening of the match. Genk have come closest to opening the scoring so far.

SAVE! Best moment of the match as far as the visitors are concerned. Rooney's flicked header was on target but a little too close to Nordin Jackers, who produced a routine stop to keep it out. Signs of the Toffees growing into things.

A fairly balanced opening 17 minutes or so to the match, with Genk now getting forward to win a corner. Exactly the sort of test that Koeman would have been after - his charges are having to dig deep to get a foothold in the game.

Good delivery into the box but Pickford is again there to collect in a fairly routine manner. Best chance of the match so far fell the way of Rooney, whose header a few minutes ago was kept out by opposition goalkeeper Nordin Jackers.

CLOSE! Nearly a quarter of the match now played in Belgium and there has been little between the sides. Genk are playing the better football, though, with Trossard dragging narrowly wide at the end of a fine passing move.

The visitors now knocking the ball around once again in an attempt to just stem the flow of things, as Genk have looked the livelier in front of goal. Not seen a great deal of Sandro Ramirez so far on his first outing for the club.

Klaassen wants a little too much time on the ball and is dispossessed. Everton have not really clicked in attack thus far, creating just the one big chance, which saw Rooney's deft flick well kept out down low by Jackers in the Genk goal.

CLOSE! Rooney with a free kick from nearly 30 yards out, which is not far from its intended target at all. The ball dipped but skimmed the rood of the net on its way over - the second time he has come close to netting in this first half.

A fairly lively opening half an hour to this friendly clash at the Luminus Arena, then, with both teams creating a chance or two. The best opening still remains that Rooney header midway through, while Trossard twice came close at the other end.

Sandro fairly isolated up top, which Koeman will no doubt attempt to rectify should the scoreline remain this way at the interval. Fitness the key today, but the Dutchman will also be keen to build up some momentum as we head into the new campaign.

SAVE! Pickford called into action twice in quick succession. Trossard again involved, getting on the end of the ball at the back post but only picking out the keeper's midriff. Prior to that, Benson Manuel's drive had to be punched away.

All of a sudden it is Genk who are on top, twice coming close and then seeing a shot end well wide of goal. Everton need to compose themselves again, having struggled to build up too much momentum in their third pre-season friendly.

YELLOW CARD! Michael Keane cautioned for pulling back on Ally Samatta. A little harsh, with this being a friendly, and the defender must now watch his step for the remainder of the match. Saying that, he may well be replaced at the break anyway.

Good play from Everton - their best move of the match so far - which culminates in Sandro bringing the ball down and teeing up Rooney, whose shot failed to trouble the keeper. First time we have seen those two players link up in attack.

SHOT! Smart movement from Sandro but he is denied by Jackers. Definitely a sign that the Spaniard is growing into this match, though Koeman said that he would likely replace the striker at half time, or certainly before the hour.

Disappointment for Everton as Dowell as space to break into but fails to find Sandro on the right wing with the simplest of passes. The stats have just flashed up showing that the Toffees have attempted 248 passes, compared to Genk's 278.

Thomas Buffel somehow avoids seeing a yellow card for clattering into Klaassen, a moment or so after being challenged by the Dutchman. The Toffees do get themselves a free kick, though, which eventually sees Keane nod wide at the back post.

Everton have opened the scoring in Belgium at the very end of the first half. Sandro created it on his first outing for the club, drifting out to the right and sending in a killer ball for Rooney, who slid in at the back post for his second goal of pre-season.

Rooney's goal the difference at the interval, then, coming at the very end of a balanced first half. Both sides will argue that they deserve to be in front at this stage, though it was probably Genk who did more to grab the breakthrough goal prior to Rooney sliding home.

Jordan Pickford and Sandro Ramirez were handed their Everton debuts, and it did not take long for the £30m keeper to be tested as he stood his ground to keep out Leandro Trossard. Trossard was at it again moments later, this time turning on the edge of the area and flashing the ball narrowly wide of the target.

Both sides were seeing plenty of the ball but struggling to create too many openings in the opening 40 minutes or so, with Wayne Rooney's deft flick forcing a rare save out of Nordin Jackers. Trossard was unlucky not to open the scoring at the third time of asking when shooting narrowly wide at the end of a good passing move, while Rooney again came close with a 30-yard free kick, picking out the roof of the net.

Just when the Belgian side were growing more and more into the match, testing Pickford twice in quick succession through Benson Manuel and the lively Trossard, Rooney appeared at the back post to help home Sandro's killer cross from the right. It was an attacking move that will no doubt have put a smile on the face of Ronald Koeman, whose side have had to dig deep in these opening 45 minutes.

RESTART! We are back under way at the Luminus Arena in Belgium. The Toffees have made three alterations at the break, bringing on Stekelenburg, Martina and Mirallas for Holgate, Sandro and Pickford. Expect more changes to be made on the hour.

Some sloppy play in midfield gives Genk the chance to get forward, from which they earn a corner two minutes into the half. Rooney gets his head to it at the near post, but Mirallas could not break clear as he was well challenged.

Rooney now playing through the middle following Sandro's half-time departure; Mirallas out on one flank and Dowell on the other. It has been a good run-out for the Toffees so far, being made to work hard for their slender lead.

Genk battling away in an attempt to pull themselves level on home soil. A reminder that this is their final friendly of the summer, as they begin their Belgian top-flight campaign in a week's time against Waasland-Beveren.

Williams fortunate to say the least after getting away with bringing down an opposition player on the edge of the area - no free kick given. Sander Berge starting to cause a few problems now for Everton, who are having to hold on a tad.

Disappointment for Everton as Genk have struck back to level the scoring, courtesy of a strike from Ally Samatta. Half-time sub Martina failed to truly head clear, with the ball falling kindly for Samatta to blast past Stekelenburg.

SAVE! Stekelenburg with a superb save to prevent Everton from falling behind, just moments after conceding a first of the afternoon. Samatta again the man involved, getting on the end of a cross and seeing his diving header somehow helped onto the crossbar.

More than an hour played now in Belgium and we well and truly have a game on our hands. Everton are having to hold on in this second half, relinquishing their advantage and coming close to conceding a quick-fire second. Scorer Samatta has just been replaced.

Wayne Rooney does well to keep the play alive and eventually wins his side a corner. Not sure how much longer he will remain out on the field, but he has put in a decent shift this afternoon, now leading the line through the middle.

CHANCE! Some mistakes creeping into the Toffees' game, allowing Trossard to loft the ball towards the back post where Thomas Buffel was waiting for the volley. Should have done better, failing to keep the ball on target in the end.

Pressure really starting to build on Everton now. Not all that surprising considering they made a few changes at the break, disrupting their flow, while the hosts have so far made just the one change. Further changes may be imminent.

EVERTON SUBS! Connolly, Barry and Lookman have all been brought on for the final 20 minutes or so, taking over from Dowell, Schneiderlin and Baines. Wayne Rooney now has the captain's armband - could he last the distance?

Everton knocking the ball around over the past minute or so, trying to grab a foothold in the match. The ball is given away and Genk - looking the sharper - quickly break forward, but the Toffees manage to get enough bodies back behind the ball.

Rooney's searching ball over the top for Mirallas is overhit, easily collected by Jackers between the sticks. Three-quarters of the game played and it is tough to call which way this one will swing, though Genk do look the livelier.

EVERTON SUBS! Koeman's side have been very sloppy at times in this second half, perhaps explained by the number of changes made. A few more incoming players for the Toffees - Besic, Davies and McCarthy replacing Klaassen, Gueye and Williams.

YELLOW CARD! Mohamed Besic booked moments after being brought on for what was a needless challenge. No further punishment as, after McCarthy and Barry combined to half-clear, the resulting shot was right at the keeper.

Genk have also made a few subs during this second half, annoyingly out of sync with Everton's to constantly disrupt play. That can be expected in these games, of course, meaning a rather frustrating second half on the whole.

We are now into the final 10 minutes of the match in Belgium. Everton have struggled to find any sort of rhythm to their game in the second half, perhaps finding themselves a little fortunate not to be behind - Stekelenburg to thank for that.

EVERTON SUB! Youngster Dominic Calvert-Lewin is on for the final stages of the match, taking over from stand-in skipper Rooney. Not too dissimilar to the first pre-season outing for Everton, which they snatched late on through Dowell.

Promising run from Mirallas to take the ball past a few players. Nothing at the end of it, with McCarthy well positioned alongside him, but can hardly blame the Belgian for wanting to go it alone. Six minutes left to go here.

A Genk player has hobbled to the sidelines after picking up an injury, eating up some further minutes. The bottom line as far as Koeman is concerned today, he has managed to get more minutes under the belts of nearly his entire squad.

A draw, which is looking like being the final result here, is a pretty fair reflection of what we have seen over the 90 minutes. Both teams have had their moment but neither have done enough to pick up the morale-boosting victory.

We are now into added time at the Luminus Arena. No further changes planned by Koeman, so a full 90 minutes for Keane in the heart of defence; Lennon and Kenny both unused subs. No idea how many minutes have been added on - no board held up by the fourth official.

The referee blows his whistle for full time, bringing the end to a game that faded more and more as it wore on. Wayne Rooney's second goal of pre-season put Everton ahead, converting at the end of a Sandro Ramirez cross, before Ally Samatta levelled up 10 minutes into the second period for a 1-1 draw.

That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events in Belgium. An on-the-whistle report can be found by clicking here, and be sure to join us for updates of that Europa League tie involving the Toffees next Thursday. See you then!