Liverpool come into this match after a comfortable 3-1 victory over Fulham on Sunday. Meanwhile, Everton triumphed over relegation rivals Nottingham Forest 2-0, but it was what happened after the game that stole the spotlight.
Idrissa Gueye and Dwight McNeil both scored with similar shots that hit the inside of the post on their way in, sealing the win for Everton. However, the real drama unfolded after the final whistle, with Nottingham Forest accusing VAR official Stuart Attwell of bias, claiming he had ties to Luton Town.
This accusation followed a series of controversial decisions, including what Forest felt were three clear penalty shouts that went unawarded at Goodison Park.
While Forest made headlines with their post-match outburst, Everton quietly celebrated their second win in three Premier League games. This victory moved them five points clear of the relegation zone in 16th place.
Although Everton's Premier League survival is not yet guaranteed, they have the advantage of a game in hand over teams like Forest, Luton, and Burnley. The Toffees have also maintained a solid home record, losing just once in their last six matches at Goodison Park.
An interesting stat about Everton is that in their last 11 home wins, they've kept a clean sheet each time. However, if they concede, they haven't won any of their last 22 home games, losing 17 of those. This suggests that Liverpool just needs to score once to put Everton in a difficult position.
Liverpool, on the other hand, had a strong win against Fulham, with second-half goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota securing the three points. This victory moved them into second place in the Premier League, but Manchester City's game in hand means the top spot is still up for grabs.
Sunday's win was a relief for Liverpool fans after some lackluster performances. Liverpool has now scored in 20 consecutive away matches in the Premier League since their scoreless draw against Chelsea last April. This attacking consistency could spell trouble for Everton, especially since they have failed to score in their last four games against Liverpool.
Despite Everton's recent win, they still have plenty to prove against their noisy neighbors, especially after the contentious moments in their previous encounters. This derby will be a test for both teams, with Liverpool aiming to maintain their momentum and Everton fighting to stay clear of the relegation zone.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Everton's win over Nottingham Forest was marred by a worrying injury to Beto, who needed oxygen and was stretchered off the pitch during stoppage time. Despite his injury, he managed to give a thumbs-up to the crowd as he was taken away, suggesting some positive news.Manager Sean Dyche said that the early indications are promising, but Beto will miss the upcoming derby against Liverpool. He joins Lewis Dobbin (ankle), Dele Alli (groin), and Nathan Patterson on the sidelines. Patterson's thigh injury might even keep him out of Scotland's Euro 2024 campaign.
Seamus Coleman is also out with a groin issue, but Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were both back in the starting lineup against Forest after dealing with their own injuries. Branthwaite did suffer a minor knock during that match, but he's expected to start again in the derby.
On the Liverpool side, the injury list includes Joel Matip (knee), Ben Doak (knee), Thiago Alcantara (muscle), and Conor Bradley (ankle). Additionally, manager Jürgen Klopp announced that Diogo Jota, who scored against Fulham and has been Liverpool's most efficient goal-scorer, will be out for two weeks due to a hip injury.
Stefan Bajcetic wasn't in the squad on Sunday as he continues to regain fitness after a calf injury. However, Klopp had the luxury of rotating his midfield against Fulham, which may explain Bajcetic's absence. He has since played for the Under-21s, suggesting that he's on his way back.
Klopp also rested Mohamed Salah for the Fulham match, starting him on the bench. Given Jota's injury and the significance of the Merseyside derby, Salah is likely to return to the starting lineup for this crucial game.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Everton possible starting lineup:Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison, Onana, Gueye, McNeil; Doucoure; Calvert-Lewin
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
EXPERT PREDICTION
Everton 1-2 Liverpool
Liverpool cruised past Fulham with some big names only playing in the second half, which shows their depth. If Jürgen Klopp fields his strongest lineup at Goodison Park, it’s likely that Liverpool will come out on top again, keeping their title hopes alive and earning the bragging rights in this rivalry.
