It’s the one fixture that all supporters look out for every year. The Merseyside derby. Irrespective of either side’s form and ambitions in the league, this clash is always one to look out for and it will be no different this time around.
In fact, the game against Jurgen Klopp’s Reds will be a true test of just how far Everton have developed under Marco Silva.
With the Portuguese boss now in charge at Goodison, Everton have their own ambitions as they set about breaking up that top six and potentially even the top four in the Premier League.
FORM
Everton come into the game in good form, suffering just a single defeat throughout their previous five league meetings.
Under Silva they are continuing to evolve and have shown they can defend and dig in when they need to, earning a resilient 0-0 draw away at Stamford Bridge.
While the 1-0 win over Cardiff showed that they can also be patience in attack too, with Neil Warnock’s men not making it easy for them at Goodison Park.
Liverpool, like Manchester City are still yet to taste defeat in the Premier League this season and doing so against their local rivals would be a huge blow to Klopp’s men.
Bragging rights aside, being the first team to drop points out of themselves and City will send a huge confidence boost to Pep Guardiola’s side, with the two going head-to-head in the title race this season.
RECENT MEETING
As well as the two league meetings, the Merseyside duo also played out a dramatic FA Cup clash last season, in which then new signing Virgil van Dijk headed in the winner for the Reds in the final 10 minutes of the game.
Despite the brilliance of the Dutch defender, the game was remembered for the clash between Brazilian striker Roberto Firmino and Everton defender Mason Holgate.
The former was shoved over the advertising boards to the side of the pitch before an angry exchange of words between the pair.
BETTING
Derby games can always be hard to predict, but you can guarantee that it is going to be a tasty affair.
The games are never short of drama or controversial decisions and the card market could be something to consider when you’re looking around the top sports betting sites. Should tempers begin to flair then yellow cards are inevitable and we could even see a red, or two.
Across the three meetings between the two sides last season, there was a total of seven yellow cards.
PREDICTED XI
Everton: Pickford, Coleman, Mina, Keane, Digne, Gomes, Gueye, Walcott, Sigurdsson, Bernard, Richarlison.
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson, Milner, Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Salah, Mane, Firmino.
PREDICTION
Liverpool mean business this year. With Manchester City showing no signs of slowing down, they’re fully aware of how important every point is for them. They cannot afford to slip and they’ll be keen to keep it that way when they welcome their local rivals to Anfield.
Everton have looked confidence under Silva this season and certainly have more attacking threat when compared to recent seasons. They will not make it easy for Liverpool, but the Reds have to be considered favourites going into this one.
