Liverpool head into the Merseyside derby on the back of a highly impressive 3-0 win in midweek. Admittedly Middlesbrough weren’t the toughest opposition Jurgen Klopp and his men will face this season, but the ruthless and stylish manner of their win will not have gone unnoticed amongst their title rivals.
Everton have made a habit of doing Liverpool favours in their home games over the past few weeks. Taking points from both Manchester United and Arsenal has only aided the Reds’ title tilt, but will they continue in such charitable mood when the sides meet at Goodison Park?
FORM GUIDE – OVERALL
Bar a couple of afternoons to forget at Burnley and Bournemouth, Liverpool’s form has been near flawless this season. They have scored more than any other side in the Premier League, and the much talked about defense has in fact been tighter than 11 of their counterparts’. Chelsea may be impressing at the top of the table, but Liverpool are showing the form of potential champions.
Everton, on the other hand, are not. Two stirring home performances may have been enough to boost spirits, but a record of just 2 wins in 11 in inescapably poor.
FORM GUIDE – HOME v AWAY
Conventional wisdom suggests that it’s tough to score on the road in the Premier League, but Liverpool haven’t had any such problems. Averaging 2.1 goals per game they’re potent, and their reward for such fine attacking form has been 4 wins in their last 6.
It must be said that Everton’s home form is impressive. Unbeaten since March, Goodison Park is never an easy place to get points. Their record of just 1 clean sheet in their last 6, however, will have Liverpool’s forwards licking their lips.
FIXTURE HISTORY
The last 4 Premier League Merseyside derbies at Goodison Park have all ended in draws and with so much at stake both on and off the pitch, it’s easy to make the case for another tight affair this time around.
The only statistic which either side really has the edge on is red cards. Everton have had 9 players sent off to Liverpool’s 2, and should they add to that tally they will surely be giving the Reds’ a huge advantage.
ALL COMPETITIONS
If points were decided on paper, then there would be three of them on their way to Anfield right now. Across 15 categories, Everton fail to better their neighbours in a single one.
Liverpool are stronger going forward, tighter at the back and have a very handy habit of taking the lead in games. A note of caution though – Arsenal arrived at Goodison with equally superior stats on Tuesday night and fell short. Nothing can be taken for granted in a game like this, that’s for sure.
Match preview and predictions by KickOff.
