The details
Venue – Anfield, Liverpool
Referee – Mike Dean
Date & Time – Wednesday, December 4th @ 20:15
Current Odds – Liverpool 4/11, Draw 4/1, Everton 15/2
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Anfield, under the lights, the Merseyside derby, a few beers beforehand. The place is going to be rocking. Let’s hope we can paint the town red after the full-time whistle.
Form
Liverpool Form
Liverpool are 8 points clear of Leicester City at the top of the Premier League table. Manchester City are a further three points behind Leicester.
The Reds opened up this hugely impressive lead by winning 13 of their opening 14 games, only dropping points in the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in October. They have already beaten Chelsea away and Arsenal, Spurs, Manchester City and Leicester at Anfield.
Last Saturday, they again ground out the required result against Brighton. Hopefully, they can get a more straightforward three points against Everton on Wednesday.
Everton Form
Everton are currently 17th in the Premier League and, if things don’t improve soon, they will be dragged into a relegation battle in the second half of the season.
However, I feel change is afoot at Goodison Park, whether it’s for the best remains to be seen. My belief is that Marco Silva will be dismissed after Wednesday night’s derby. I think the decision has already been made in the background to get rid of Silva. The delay is because they don’t fancy tasking a newly-hired boss with the trip to Anfield for his first game.
With a record that is now worse than Ronald Koeman’s before him, Marco Silva knows he is on borrowed time. There has been much talk of David Moyes returning to the club so watch this space.
On Sunday, Everton almost helped Liverpool by taking points off Leicester City. A late winner from Kelechi Iheanacho gave Brendan Rodgers’ side the win, though.
Team news
Liverpool Team News
Alisson is suspended for this game after his red card against Brighton on Saturday. He will be available for selection again at the weekend as it is only a one-game ban.
Joel Matip and Fabinho are both out through injury. Matip should be fully fit soon but it could be mid-December. Fabinho is reported to be out until the new year.
I think Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will start his second game in a row. ‘The Ox’ was unfortunate to be the player sacrificed for Adrian’s introduction after Alisson’s red card against Brighton on Saturday.
Everton Team News
Everton have a few players out through injury. Seamus Coleman, Andre Gomes and Jean-Philippe Gbamin are all missing. Fabian Delph and Theo Walcott are both serious doubts while Beni Baningime will face a late fitness test.
The Toffees do not have any players suspended for this game.
Silva normally sets his side out in a 4-2-3-1 formation. It should be the same at Anfield.
Predicted lineups
Liverpool XI (4-3-3) – Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Salah, Firmino, Mané
Everton XI (4-2-3-1) – Pickford; Sidibe, Keane, Mina, Digne; Davies, Schneiderlin; Iwobi, Sigurdsson, Richarlison; Calvert-Lewin
When they last met
Everton haven’t scored against Liverpool in their last three games and they haven’t actually won at Anfield since 1999.
Last season, it was the glorious 96th-minute winner from Divock Origi which separated the sides – cue Jurgen Klopp running onto the Anfield turf to celebrate with Alisson in the middle of the pitch. Fantastic memories.
The teams drew 0-0 at Goodison Park when they last met in March.
Prediction
LIVERPOOL 2 – 1 EVERTON
It’s hard to predict any other scoreline these days. Eight of their wins in all competitions this season have been by a 2-1 score. Surprisingly, Manchester City is the only team Liverpool have beaten by more than one goal since September.
Wednesday night, Anfield will be rocking. It won’t be easy and Everton never roll over for The Reds but Liverpool should get the three points.
