The Premier League midweek clashes are back and Liverpool will travel to their neighbour’s hunting ground, Goodison Park to face Everton in a Merseyside derby battle. The two clubs from Merseyside are in contrasting forms. The Reds are currently two points adrift of leaders Chelsea and have lost just once so far this season.
Meanwhile, The Toffees are winless since they defeated Norwich back in September. Moreover, Everton’s last weekend’s defeat at Brentford has put them at 14th in the table. The latest defeat against The Bees is their fifth loss in the last six Premier League games.
On the other hand, Klopp’s men have made a perfect response after West Ham’s defeat before the International Break. The Reds have scored 10 goals in the last three games and defeated Arsenal and Southampton in an emphatic fashion.
Everton manager Rafa Benitez has a big task ahead to get a result against Klopp. The Spaniard could only manage to get just one point from the last three home league games and could have a long and frustrating evening against his former club.
Everton vs Liverpool: Match Preview
Liverpool are currently an unstoppable force and now they will look to thrash their neighbours in midweek. Klopp and Co. will be confident in putting an impressive show after back-to-back 4-0 victories in the last two Premier League games.
Meanwhile, Everton finds themselves in 14th in the league standings and have failed so far to meet expectations after appointing Champions League winning manager Rafa Benitez.
But The Toffees will be hoping to get a result at home this time after previously winning at Anfield when the last time both sides met in the previous season. The win last season also ended their failed attempts to find victory in 23 consecutive games between 2011 and 2020.
Liverpool are unbeaten in Goodinson Park for more than ten years, previously the Reds suffered defeat was in 2010 when Toffees defeated 2-0 at their home.
Interestingly the Merseyside Derby is called ‘The Friendly derby’ but the fixture has witnessed the most number of red cards in the history of the Premier League.
Klopp’s men are flying high this season having registered the most number of goals in the league this season so far. Moreover, the Reds red hot attackers will look to exploit The Toffee’s weak defence.
According to FotMob reports in the league Liverpool so far registered the Most shots on target per match (7.1), Most goals per match (3.0), Most big chances created (43), and also tied with Chelsea and Manchester City with the cleanest sheets (8).
Liverpool have also enjoyed 2+ goals in 17 consecutive games in all competitions. The Reds are the second top-flight English side to achieve this feat after Sunderland in 1927 (17).
The Reds have all the motivation and form to win the fixture and continue their dominance in the city of Liverpool.
Team News
Naby Keita was close to making it into the squad against Southampton last weekend following his thigh injury. But could have a chance to get himself on the bench this time around.
Meanwhile, Roberto Firmino, Curtis Jones, Joe Gomez, and Harvey Elliott will continue to be sidelined for their injuries.
A pretty similar starting eleven from the last weekend is expected to start the game. But the only dilemma for Klopp is to pick who will partner van Dijk at defence. Both Ibrahima Konate and Joel Matip have been impressive recently.
Liverpool probable starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Jota, Mane.
Everton vs Liverpool: Prediction
Liverpool are tearing apart opponent defences for fun. With the world talking about prolific goal scorer Mohamed Salah but in recent games, Jota has shown he alone can win games for Liverpool.
Everton on the other hand have many issues for concern with weak defence and misfiring attack. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a huge miss for Rafa Benitez’s side.
In form, Liverpool are clear favourites going into the fixture a 2-0 win is expected.
