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Few fixtures in English football carry the intensity, history, and weight of the Merseyside derby. Liverpool and Everton go head-to-head at Anfield on Saturday in what promises to be a fiery early kick-off. Both sides enter the clash with plenty of storylines surrounding team news, player recoveries, and tactical decisions that could shape the outcome.
For Liverpool, the focus is on recovery and rotation after a draining week of fixtures that included a dramatic Champions League win. For Everton, questions linger over injuries and whether makeshift solutions will hold up against one of the most attacking teams in Europe. Let’s dive into the key updates, challenges, and what to look out for when the two Merseyside rivals meet again.
Liverpool’s Squad Boost and Recovery Challenges
Arne Slot will have a near full squad available as his Liverpool side prepares to welcome Everton. The Dutch head coach confirmed that midfielder Curtis Jones is back in contention after missing the victories over Burnley and Atletico Madrid. His return adds depth to the midfield, which has been heavily relied upon in recent weeks.
The big concern, however, lies in fatigue. Liverpool played three games in just seven days: Sunday in the Premier League, Wednesday in the Champions League, and now a Saturday 12.30 p.m. kick-off. This demanding schedule leaves little room for proper recovery.
Arne Slot admitted the turnaround has been a challenge, particularly for new signing Alexander Isak, who made his debut against Atletico Madrid. The striker impressed in his 60 minutes but felt the physical demands more than usual. His involvement against Everton will depend on how well he recovers in training.
“Alex did feel his body more maybe than ever before after the 60 minutes he played,” Slot revealed. “We’ll see how he’s recovered today and then think about the line-up.”
Liverpool trained later on Friday to allow the players a little extra sleep and recovery time. Slot made it clear that rest is as important as tactics in a week like this.
Everton’s Injury Concerns
Across the city, Everton have their own fitness headaches. Defender Jarrad Branthwaite has yet to feature this season due to a hamstring injury picked up in pre-season. Left-back Vitalii Mykolenko also suffered a setback during the international break. Both players were assessed on Friday, and David Moyes did not rule them out completely, but neither is expected to be fully fit.
If Mykolenko fails to recover, James Garner is likely to continue filling in at left-back. Garner, naturally a midfielder, has shown impressive versatility in recent weeks. Moyes praised the 23-year-old’s performances, describing him as “playing as well as any English midfield player in the country at the moment.”
Garner’s ability to slot into different roles has been vital for Everton, who sit mid-table after winning two of their opening four league fixtures. However, asking him to contain Mohamed Salah at Anfield is a huge test.
Liverpool’s Last Outing: A Night of Drama
Liverpool head into the derby on the back of a thrilling 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid at Anfield. It was a match full of tension, late drama, and standout individual performances.
Alisson’s saves kept the Reds alive, while goals from Wirtz, Gakpo, and Van Dijk’s late contribution sealed the win. The game also marked Alexander Isak’s debut, with the striker showing glimpses of the pace and movement that persuaded Liverpool to bring him in.
The line-up on that night was: Alisson, Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Salah, Gakpo, and Isak. Slot is likely to rotate, but the spine of the team should remain.
Everton’s Stalemate with Aston Villa
While Liverpool were lighting up Europe, Everton played out a goalless draw with Aston Villa at Goodison Park. Moyes’ side looked compact and disciplined, if not particularly threatening.
The team sheet read: Pickford, O’Brien, Garner, Tarkowski, Keane, Gueye, Iroegbunam, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye, Grealish, and Beto. It was a performance that highlighted Everton’s defensive stability but also their struggles to consistently create clear chances.
Moyes will likely stick with a similar setup at Anfield, hoping to frustrate Liverpool and exploit counterattacks when the opportunity arises.
Key Players to Watch
Mohamed Salah
Salah continues to be Liverpool’s talisman. Fresh from becoming the 10th-highest scorer in Champions League history, he remains the biggest threat in this derby. His duel with whoever lines up at left-back for Everton will be decisive.
Alexander Isak
If fit, Alexander Isak could make his Premier League debut for Liverpool in front of the home crowd. His ability to stretch defences and link up with Salah and Gakpo adds a new dimension to the attack.
James Garner
For Everton, all eyes will be on Garner. His adaptability has made him one of Moyes’ most valuable players this season. Whether in midfield or as a makeshift left-back, his energy and positional awareness will be crucial.
Jordan Pickford
In derbies like this, goalkeepers often make the headlines. Pickford has frustrated Liverpool before with big saves, and he will need another outstanding display to give Everton a chance.
Tactical Battle
Liverpool will look to dominate possession and press high, as they always do at Anfield. Slot’s system encourages quick transitions, with full-backs Frimpong and Robertson pushing forward to stretch the pitch.
Everton, meanwhile, will likely sit deeper, defend compactly, and rely on the physical presence of Beto up front to hold the ball. Their midfield trio of Gueye, Dewsbury-Hall, and Iroegbunam will need to cover huge ground to break up Liverpool’s passing lanes.
The danger for Everton is that Liverpool’s pace and movement could overwhelm them if they are pinned too deep. The key for Moyes’ men is to stay disciplined and take advantage of any set-piece opportunities.
What’s at Stake
The Merseyside derby is always about pride, but both teams also have plenty riding on the result. Liverpool want to maintain momentum after back-to-back wins, including a crucial Champions League triumph. Dropping points at home to their local rivals would be a blow to confidence and league position.
For Everton, a positive result would build belief that they can compete with the league’s best under Moyes. It would also give their supporters bragging rights after several years of struggling in this fixture.
Prediction
Derbies are notoriously unpredictable, but Liverpool’s depth and attacking options make them favourites. The return of Curtis Jones provides fresh energy in midfield, and if Isak is fit enough to play, he could be the difference-maker.
Everton will work hard, stay organised, and hope for moments of magic from players like Grealish or Beto. However, at Anfield, against a Liverpool side full of confidence, it will be a tough ask.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Everton
Conclusion
Saturday’s clash promises to be another memorable chapter in Merseyside derby history. With Liverpool pushing for dominance under Arne Slot and Everton striving to prove their resilience under David Moyes, the game has all the ingredients of a classic.
From Salah’s brilliance to Garner’s versatility, from Isak’s possible first league start to Pickford’s potential heroics, there will be stories everywhere on the pitch. Whether you’re red or blue, one thing is certain: when Liverpool and Everton meet, the city of Liverpool stops and football takes centre stage.
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
LiverpoolFCTimes.com