Liverpool v Everton Preview, Predicted XI, Team News and more
League leaders Liverpool will take on a struggling Everton in the latest edition of the Merseyside Derby at Anfield. This fixture comes just over a year after the famous game last season wherein Divock Origi nodded in a loose ball at point-blank range to break Evertonian hearts.
Last weekend, Liverpool saw off a tough Brighton team who put in a spirited performance as Jurgen Klopp's men won 2-1. It was a very slug performance by the club who have had to grind for their victories recently. Most importantly for the club, however, goalkeeper Alisson Becker was shown a red card for handling the ball outside of the penalty area.
Everton gave a tough fight to the rampant Leicester City team who came back from a one-goal deficit to win the game in the very last minute. Manager Marco Silva is the latest man facing the prospect of a sack as his team are struggling to find consistency and are down at 17th place, just outside the relegation zone with 14 points. However, a positive result at Anfield might give him a new lifeline, although that seems unlikely at the moment.
Head to Head
Both historically and recently, Liverpool has dominated Everton in this meeting. Goodison Park and Anfield are situated walking distance between each other, but the gulf in quality is massive. Liverpool has won against their city rivals 119 times as compared to Everton's 82 wins.
The Toffees are winless against their bitter rivals for the past 19 games, with their last victory coming in 2010. Liverpool has dominated Everton this entire decade, and that trend looks to continue this matchday.
Liverpool form guide: W D W W W W
Everton form guide: L L W D W L
Team News
Liverpool: Goalkeeper Alisson is suspended for this game after receiving a red card against Brighton. Joel Matip and Fabinho are set to miss this match and the remainder of the year due to injuries.
Everton: Seamus Coleman, Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Andre Gomes are injured. Fabian Delph, Theo Walcott, Bernard and Morgan Schneiderlin are doubtful and will be assessed before the game to see if they can make the squad.
Predicted XI
Liverpool - Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Lovren, Robertson; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Everton - Pickford; Holgate, Mina, Keane; Sidibe, Davies, Sigurdsson, Digne; Iwobi, Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison
Prediction
Everton looked confident in the first 60 minutes against Leicester, but an offensive run by the Foxes in the last half hour left them undone. Liverpool are unbeaten at Anfield in over 45 games, and it is hard to see their underperforming neighbours getting the best of them. Klopp's men are simply too strong right now, and Everton are not in the position to end their unbeaten run at the top of England.
Final prediction - Liverpool 3-1 Everton