Liverpool v Everton – Preview, Predictions, and Best Bets

Liverpool host Everton at Anfield in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off. The Toffees have avoided defeat in four of their last seven matches vs Jurgen Klopp’s team but have just one victory in 28 matches against their Merseyside rivals. Sean Dyche’s team have three wins in their last four matches.

Liverpool Form

The Reds have had a strong season so far. A credible 1-1 draw at Chelsea was followed by seven successive wins in all competitions. That streak saw them score three goals in six of those matches. All of Bournemouth (3-1), Newcastle (2-1 with ten men), Wolves (3-1) and West Ham (3-1) saw victories are trailing.

After a 3-1 home win over Leicester in the Carabao Cup, Liverpool were beaten 2-1 at Tottenham. They finished with nine men and had a first-half goal denied by a VAR error. A steady 2-0 home win over Royal Union Saint-Gilloise came next. Their last match saw a 2-2 draw at Brighton having come from 1-0 down to lead 2-1 after 77 minutes.

Liverpool Team News

Central midfielder Curtis Jones serves the second match of a three-match ban. Fellow midfielder Thiago Alcantara is still a couple of weeks away from a return. Diogo Jota is back from suspension and may start after the travels of his South American teammates.

Cody Gakpo missed the FIFA break but he is pushing for a return in this one. Andy Robertson injured his shoulder with Scotland and is a question mark for this derby. Ibrahima Konate is set to be recalled to the XI and Ryan Gravenberch is pushing to start in place of Harvey Elliott.

Liverpool Motivation

The Reds will see a draw as a poor result in this match. Motivation will be high and full focus will be on this fixture.

Klopp’s side have been falling behind and coming back thanks to their incredible firepower. They’re not really equipped right now to absorb pressure.

Everton Form

Everton had a very tough start to this term. Their first five league matches yielded just one point, a 2-2 draw at struggling Sheffield United. All four of their losses during that streak saw them fail to score as Dyche’s side now has the biggest difference between their xG (17.56 xG) and their actual goals (9).

Since losing 1-0 at home to Arsenal, they have three wins in the last four. A 3-1 win at Brentford saw them totally dominate before a 2-1 Carabao Cup victory at Aston Villa. A complacent home performance followed as they were beaten 2-1 by Luton Town. They responded excellently by putting up 2.49 xG and having 25 shots in a 3-0 victory over Bournemouth.

Everton Team News

Sean Dyche is hoping for Idrissa Gueye to shake off an injury to feature in some way. Seamus Coleman could be set to return to the sub’s bench. Fringe squad members in Andre Gomes and Dele Alli are also nearing returns after long injury layoffs.

Jamer Garner scored from a central midfield role against Bournemouth. Jack Harrison was also on target and the duo could keep their positions for this match. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set to lead the line in preference to Beto if he can avoid an injury during the international break.

Everton Motivation

Possession will not be a focus for Dyche in this match. He will set up in a compact 4-5-1 and press aggressively in midfield. Harrison and McNeil will lead counters.

A draw would be an excellent result and they could play for one from the first minute.

Key Stats

Liverpool’s last 45 home EPL matches have seen just 1 loss.

Liverpool have won 7 of their last 8 home PL matches (1 draw)

Liverpool have conceded in 9 of their last 10 league matches (14 leaked)

Everton have avoided defeat in 4 of their last 7 matches vs Liverpool (W1, D3)

Everton have 1 win in 28 matches vs Liverpool in all competitions.

Everton’s last 7 away league matches have seen just 1 defeat (DDWDLDW)

Verdict

This should be a close derby. Liverpool are very strong at home and should have enough to take the three points. Everton are looking surprisingly good going forward and have enough to score a goal.