Big Match Breakdown: Liverpool v Everton
Published:
Rivals clash at Anfield
Liverpool host Everton this afternoon in the first Merseyside derby of the season.
Both clubs are in good recent form ahead of the clash. The Reds are unbeaten in nine, while the Toffees have won their last three.
The Blues kept clean sheets in all three of those games and will need to be at their best once again to stop a Liverpool side that have scored 40 goals in their last dozen matches.
As ever, the Coral News Team are on hand to bring you the big match breakdown ahead of the match.
Head-to-head
This will be the 229th staging of the Merseyside derby. In the Premier League era, Liverpool have 22 wins to Everton’s nine.
Jurgen Klopp will be looking to prolong his sides’ impressive home run against the Toffees. The Reds are unbeaten since 1999 in this match when Kevin Campbell scored the only goal in a 1-0 win for the Blues.
Last season Liverpool cruised to a 3-1 victory at Anfield. Sadio Mane opened the scoring before Matthew Pennington pulled the visitors level. Philippe Coutinho put the home side back in-front just minutes later, with Divock Origi adding gloss in the second-half.
Likely XIs
Alberto Moreno picked up a knock against Spartak Moscow and could miss out. If he does, Andrew Robertson should come back into the side. Simon Mignolet will also return in place of Loris Karius.
Everton could welcome back Michael Keane in place of Mason Holgate. Otherwise, Sam Allardyce is expected to keep with the team that saw off Huddersfield Town last week. Dominic Calvert-Lewin will continue to lead the line in a 4-1-4-1 system.
Key battles
The Blues have been easily undone by their Mersey rivals in the past. With Allardyce in the hot-seat, expect the Toffees to keep it tight. A cautious approach is expected from the visitors who will rely upon Idrissa Gueye to turn in a match-defining performance.
However, that could be in vain if the Blues defence fails to step up to the mark. If they’re not on their game, the hosts’ fab four could stretch their legs to devastating effect. The defensive partnership of Ashley Williams, and either Keane or Mason Holgate will be asked some serious questions.
Match betting
Liverpool are odds-on favourites for the derby at 2/7. Everton are 10/1 to make it three straight league victories, while the draw is a tempting 19/4.
As with most clashes between these two at Anfield, there should be goals. It’s 1/2 for there to be Over 2.5 Goals and 8/11 for Liverpool to Win and Over 2.5 Goals.
Given the Reds’ recent exploits in front of goal, their star forwards dominate the goalscorer betting. Mohamed Salah is 5/6 to continue his hot-streak, while Firmino and Coutinho are 19/20 and 13/10 respectively.
However, the Coral News Team think it’s worth siding with Mane. The Senegalese international has broken the deadlock in the last two derby fixtures and is 4/1 to continue that trend this afternoon.
For the visitors, Wayne Rooney is the favourite to score Anytime at 13/5.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
