Liverpool vs Everton is always an important fixture in the league campaign, and this time round it’s no different. The upcoming Merseyside derby presents both Liverpool and Everton with an opportunity to prove themselves.
Liverpool have had the worst start to the year in the entire league, sitting rock bottom in the form table since the turn of the year. Their city rivals Everton are currently riding a ‘new manager bounce’, with Sean Dyche’s side beating league leaders Arsenal 1-0 last time out.
Jurgen Klopp will be desperate to pull a U-turn after 4 games without a win to start the calendar year, something he and the fans wont want to become accustomed to. On the other hand, Sean Dyche will want to build on a successful start to life across Stanley Park at Goodison.
Liverpool vs Everton: Line-Up Predictions
Liverpool
- Alisson Becker
- Trent Alexander-Arnold
- Joe Gomez
- Nathaniel Phillips
- Andrew Robertson
- Stefan Bajcetic
- Jordan Henderson
- Thiago Alcantara
- Mohamed Salah
- Darwin Nunez
- Cody Gakpo
With Liverpool being at home, they will be desperate to secure three points. Unfortuntely for Klopp, he doesn’t have a wealth of options due to injuries, including the absence ofIbrahima Konate, who could be replaced by Nathaniel Phillips following a poor performance by Joel Matip against Wolves. Club captain Jordan Henderson should return to the side after four games out of the starting line-up, though there are rumours that Spaniard Thiago Alcantara may be unfit to play – but nothing has been confirmed by the club as of yet.
Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino, Virgil van Dijk and Arthur all returned to first team training this week, but are unlikely to feature so soon after returning. Other than that, the side will remain largely the same due to a lack of options, and perhaps the few changes will spark some fight in the side.
Everton
- Jordan Pickford
- Seamus Coleman
- Conor Coady
- James Tarkowski
- Vitaliy Mykolenko
- Abdoulaye Doucoure
- Idrissa Gueye
- Amadou Onana
- Dwight McNeil
- Alex Iwobi
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin
For Everton, the plan will be to defend first and try and steal a winner, much like they did last week against Arsenal. That is why it is unlikely Dyche will make many changes – barring any last minute injuries. Lining up in a 4-5-1, Everton will be difficult to break down with their midfield foundation made of Doucoure, Gueye and Onana, who will protect the defence in a low-block. Liverpool have frequently struggled to break down a low block and this will likely be an issue again.
Importance of 3 points
When you look at the Premier League table (Premier League Table, Form Guide & Season Archives), you’ll see that Liverpool are now 11 points off the top 4, and Everton are in the midst of a relegation scrap.
Both clubs will be desperate to get a result and now being at the business end of the season, the game is set to be a tense affair. The 1-1 draw earlier in the season will be in the back of the players’ minds, and both will be eager to take the game to one another in hopes of going one better.
Klopp’s job will not be called into question with the fan base fiercely loyal to their head coach. However, the situation is worsening week-by-week and three points would settle a lot of nerves in and around the club.
Three points will also be vital to Everton. With a new stadium and a new manager at the helm, surviving relegation is the top priority and a win against Liverpool will maintain the positive momentum.
Liverpool vs Everton will kick-off at Anfield on Monday 13th February 2023 (20:00). Catch it live on Sky Sports.
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