Premier League Team News and Prediction: Liverpool vs Everton
Liverpool host Everton in the first Merseyside Derby since the contentious 2-2 draw between the pair at Goodison Park last year. The duo are currently separated by just three points in the table, though Everton have a game in hand over their fierce rivals.
As Everton seek a first league win at Anfield since 1999, we run through the pre-match information, including where and how to watch the Merseyside Derby, the latest team news and probable XIs.
When is kick off?
Saturday 20th February, 17:30 GMT
Where is the match?
Anfield, Liverpool
Where can I watch it?
Sky Sports Premier League / Sky Sports Main Event
Form Guide
Liverpool fell to their third successive league defeat at the hands of Leicester last weekend and, coupled with Manchester City's midweek win over Everton, they are now 16 points off top spot with their title defence in tatters. However, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp earned a reprieve in midweek as they secured a 2-0 win over RB Leipzig to secure the upper hand in their Champions League last-16 tie and boost morale ahead of the Merseyside Derby.
Everton's 3-1 loss to City was their third loss in five. However, while Goodison Park has been an unhappy hunting ground for the Toffees in 2021, their form on their travels means they sit just three points behind Liverpool in the table with a game in hand. Indeed, Everton are on a seven-game unbeaten run away from home, winning five, as they seek a first league win at Anfield since 1999.
Team News
With Fabinho again missing for Liverpool, Jordan Henderson will start at centre-back alongside Ozan Kabak, who put in a more assured display for the Reds in midweek following an indifferent debut. Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip making up the the defensive absentees for Liverpool, while Diogo Jota and James Milner sit this one out. Naby Keita sat out the meeting with former employers RB Leipzig and Klopp is hoping the midfielder can at least make the bench on Saturday. Curtis Jones, Georginio Wijnaldum and Thiago are set to make up the midfield trio in Liverpool's 4-3-3 system.
Everton's chances of victory at Anfield rest on the fitness of Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The striker sat out defeats to Fulham and Mancester City and the Toffees have scored just one goal in the three games he has missed this season. Yerry Mina is out with a calf issue sustained in the midweek loss to City, a defeat in which Jordan Pickford made his return from a short spell on the sidelines. Jean-Philippe Gbamin is a long-term absentee, while Allan may return after two months out.
Probable XIs
Liverpool (433) - Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Kabak, Henderson, Robertson; Thiago, Wijnaldum, Jones; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Everton (433) - Pickford; Coleman, Godfrey, Keane, Digne; Doucoure, Allan, Davies; Rodriguez, Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison
Key Battle: Mohamed Salah vs Dominic Calvert-Lewin
In the battle for the Golden Boot, two of the top three lock horns at Anfield. Mohamed Salah leads the race with 17 league goals to his name, though his penalty in the 4-1 loss to Manchester City earlier this month is his only league goal in his last five league outings at Anfield. The Egyptian scored in the reverse fixture, his second in four Premier League meetings with Everton, which is promising as he aims to improve his Golden Boot chances.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, meanwhile, has 13 goals to his name this season and his absence really hinders Everton's attack play. The Toffees hitman recently ended a seven-game goalless run with goals in back-to-back meetings with Leeds and Manchester United and head coach Carlo Ancelotti is hoping the youngster can make a return from injury at Liverpool.
Score Prediction - Liverpool 2-1 Everton
