Firstly, his team survived a coaching rotation and fought desperately until the end to survive in English elite football. Ultimately, this battle was won, but it seems that Liverpool's club ambitions extend far beyond this realm of competition.

Secondly, injuries marred Nikolaenko’s finish to the 2022/2023 club season. If these factors are set aside, one can confidently say that Vitaliy became a regular starter for "The Toffees". Out of Everton's 41 matches in the season, the Ukrainian played in 35. In 31 of them, he started, and in 27, he played from start to finish.

It seems that Everton’s current manager Sean Dyche fully trusts Nikolaenko, so if no unforeseen circumstances arise, Vitaliy will occupy his rightful place on the left flank of defense in the starting lineup next season.