The Merseyside derby is upon us once again, as Everton prepare to host Liverpool in what promises to be another high-stakes Premier League clash. Set to kick off at 7:30 pm GMT on Wednesday at Goodison Park, both teams come into the game with plenty to play for and key injury concerns. With the Reds in pursuit of the title and the Toffees fighting to avoid the drop, this derby carries even more significance.
Team News & Injury Updates
Liverpool manager Arne Slot is hopeful that Trent Alexander-Arnold will be available for selection after recovering from an injury that has kept him out of action since the match against Bournemouth. The right-back returned to training and has been working to regain match fitness.
“Trent has done parts of training sessions with us. Not ‘sessions,’ a session, yesterday,” Slot said in his pre-match press conference. “Let’s see how he is today. He will train, hopefully, with us again and then we have to decide if we take him to the game, yes or no.”
Joe Gomez, however, is ruled out of the fixture after sustaining another injury in the same leg that had previously troubled him. Midfielder Tyler Morton remains the only other absentee for Liverpool as he continues to recover from a shoulder issue.
On the Everton side, David Moyes is hopeful that Vitalii Mykolenko will be fit to play after missing their FA Cup defeat against Bournemouth. “He’s started some training today, so hopefully he could be available,” Moyes stated.
However, the Toffees remain without key players such as Armando Broja, Youssef Chermiti, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Seamus Coleman, Dwight McNeil, and Nathan Patterson. The squad is stretched thin, with Moyes admitting, “We’re short with our squad at the moment.”
Recent Form & Key Stats
Liverpool’s last outing ended in a disappointing 1-0 loss to Plymouth in the FA Cup, where they fielded a young squad. Meanwhile, Everton fell 2-0 to Bournemouth in their FA Cup match. Both teams will be eager to bounce back with a positive result in the derby.
Liverpool (Premier League stats):
- Goals: 56
- Shots on Target: 159
- Shooting Accuracy: 53%
- Conversion Rate: 18.7%
- Assists: 43
Everton (Premier League stats):
- Goals: 23
- Shots on Target: 80
- Shooting Accuracy: 41.7%
- Conversion Rate: 12%
- Assists: 12
Liverpool’s attacking statistics significantly outweigh Everton’s, underlining the firepower they possess with players like Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez, and Luis Díaz.
Tactical Battle & Key Players to Watch
Liverpool’s Approach
Liverpool are expected to dominate possession and rely on their high-pressing system to suffocate Everton’s midfield. With Alexander-Arnold potentially returning, the Reds will have a key playmaker who can dictate play from deep positions.
- Midfield Battle: The likely midfield trio of Wataru Endo, Harvey Elliott, and Luis Díaz will be pivotal in breaking Everton’s defensive structure.
- Defensive Solidity: Without Joe Gomez, Liverpool may have to depend on a center-back pairing of Ibrahima Konaté and Jarell Quansah, with Kostas Tsimikas and Conor Bradley providing full-back support.
- Attacking Threats: If Arne Slot fields a front three of Darwin Núñez, Mohamed Salah, and Cody Gakpo, Everton’s defense will have their hands full containing the movement and finishing prowess of the trio.
Everton’s Strategy
Everton, under David Moyes, are likely to set up in a compact defensive block and rely on counterattacks.
- Defensive Setup: James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite will be the key figures in holding Liverpool’s attack at bay.
- Midfield Battle: Idrissa Gueye and James Garner will have the responsibility of disrupting Liverpool’s rhythm in midfield.
- Target Man Play: With Dominic Calvert-Lewin out, Beto may lead the line for Everton, looking to exploit set-piece opportunities and defensive lapses.
The Historical Significance of the Derby
The Merseyside derby remains one of English football’s most fiercely contested rivalries. With more red cards than any other fixture in Premier League history, passion always runs high when these two teams meet.
Recent Meetings:
- Liverpool 2-0 Everton (October 2024)
- Everton 0-2 Liverpool (April 2023)
- Liverpool 2-0 Everton (February 2023)
Liverpool have dominated recent encounters, but Goodison Park remains a tough place to visit, and Everton will be desperate to secure a morale-boosting result.
Match Prediction & Final Thoughts
With Liverpool in superior form and boasting a more clinical attack, they enter the derby as favorites. However, Everton’s defensive resilience and the unpredictable nature of a derby match mean anything can happen.
Predicted Score: Everton 0-2 Liverpool
Liverpool will likely control possession and create numerous chances, with Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez expected to be on the scoresheet. Everton will rely on their defensive discipline and counterattacks, but without key attacking players, breaking through Liverpool’s defense will be a challenge.
As the city of Liverpool braces itself for another fiery clash, all eyes will be on Goodison Park to see which team can claim Merseyside bragging rights. One thing is certain—this will be another enthralling chapter in one of English football’s most storied rivalries.
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
LiverpoolFCTimes.com