Premier League
Merseyside Derby Preview
Liverpool vs Everton is always a special match between two longstanding rivals. In fact, it is the longest running derby in England’s top flight. The Merseyside Derby has been played in every single league campaign since the 1962-63 season. The locale of the two stadiums is only symbolic to the rivalry between these two clubs as both their stadium’s are within eyesight of each other. A matchup between these two sides is always incredibly passionate and breathtakingly intense. Anfield will host this game on Sunday. This gameweek will mark the beginning of a particularly hectic span of fixtures for Premier League clubs. There will be 3 rounds of fixtures in the space of just 11 days. Chris Kavanagh will officiate this thrilling encounter.
Liverpool are sitting second on the table with 33 points. They are also the only team alongside Manchester City to remain unbeaten in the league so far. Everton are in 6th place with 22 points. However, all that becomes almost irrelevant on derby day as pride and bragging rights are at stake. Liverpool will also want to brush off their disappointing Champions League loss midweek to PSG.
Team Updates
The hosts have no major absentees other than Jordan Henderson. He was booked for a second time and sent off in the game against Watford last week. Adam Lallana is also in doubt due to a muscle injury.
Marco Silva’s Everton will be delighted to have a fully fit and injury free squad at his disposal. He will most likely field his strongest possible lineup with minimal rotations.
Ones To Watch
Jurgen Klopp’s side have their dreaded front trio of Mohammed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino to look forward to. Firmino notched only his second goal of the season against Watford last week. Liverpool fans will hope that this will finally open the floodgates for their star Brazilian. They will also count on Virgil Van Dijk at the back to shut Everton out. The Dutch defender has been immense for the Reds so far this season.
Everton will rely on their sensational new signing Richarlison to provide a goal or two. Gylfi Sigurdsson will also be one to look out for. The Icelandic midfielder has two goals and an assist in his last four PL games.
Interesting Facts and Prediction
There are a lot of fascinating tidbits about this timeless rivalry in recent years. Let us take a look at some of them.
- This will be a staggering 232nd meeting between the Merseyside clubs.
- Everton are winless in their last 18 league visits to Anfield. Their last win there came in September 1999.
- Liverpool have not lost the last 17 Merseyside derbies they have played in the league (W8, D9).
- There have been more red cards brandished in this fixture than any other fixture in PL history with 21.
- Marco Silva can become the first Everton manager since Joe Royle in 1994 to win his first Merseyside derby in charge of the club and the first ever to win his first league match at Anfield.
- Jurgen Klopp has been unable to beat Marco Silva in the Premier League in his last two meetings against the Portugese (D1, L1). This makes Silva the only manager that Klopp has faced more than once without winning.
Considering the recent form of the two teams and Liverpool’s record against their counterparts here, one has to tip Liverpool to win this game. They are also one of only two teams unbeaten in the league so far. They also have a solid defense having conceded only five goals so far and they have scored 26. Everton on the other hand have scored 20 but have conceded 15. This is an average of more than one goal conceded per game. However, the hosts’ loss to PSG in midweek may have taken their morale down a peg or two. Everton are more than capable of exploiting that fact. They will certainly put up a fight and try to pull off a great win at a ground where they have struggled a lot.
Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Everton
Photo credit to soikeo .info via Flickr
