Merseyside derby preview: Everton v Liverpool tactics, probably line-ups, analysis, stats and latest odds
Our big match guide for the Merseyside derby runs through the form, tactics, line-ups and analysis for Everton v Liverpool at Goodison Park.
Everton and Liverpool do battle for the 100th time in the league on Sunday, and rarely has there been so much on the line with the Reds top of the league with just ten Premier League games to go.
Not that the Toffees need any more reason to try and beat the old enemy in front of the Goodison Park faithful, but they're on worst ever losing run in the derby, suffered a heartbreaking at loss at Anfield this season and yes, of course, they can put a huge dent in their title challenge.
Here's all you need to know about the big game on Sunday
Everton v Liverpool (1615 GMT - Sky Sports Premier League)
The situation - Toffees out to dent Reds' title hopes
It's the start of the run in with ten games left to play, and the end of a crucial and testing week that started at Old Trafford and ends at Goodison - Liverpool's two most hostile away environments to play in.
If they can end this week of all weeks still top of the table then they'll really fancy their chances with their last big away test (on paper at least) over with.
Liverpool's title challenge does, of course, only add yet another layer of motivation for Everton to try and win this one, and to strike what could be a fatal blow for their near neighbours' chances of ending their long title drought.
There's also the fact that Liverpool currently sit a whopping 33 points above Everton - which as good as Jurgen Klopp's side have been this season is still unacceptable for Toffees fans given the investment that's gone into the squad in recent years.
Klopp is fully aware of just how desperate Everton are to beat his side this time around, and will be making his players keenly aware of the situation on Sunday.
"Of course the fans of Everton don't want us to win anything, and our fans are the same with them. It's only very emotional, very passionate and for me that's how football should be," said Klopp.
"We know it will be really tough. At Goodison they really support their team, so now let's go there and use that atmosphere. It will be loud, it will be wild, it will be everything, and we have to deliver that on the pitch as well."
Merseyside derby team news
Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino is the main injury concern for Liverpool, with his recovery from an ankle injury promising but Klopp will want to know he's 100 per cent before starting him in this one.
Given how Divock Origi played against Watford he should get the nod again if Firmino can't go - and the presence of the Belgian will given Everton and Jordan Pickford in particular uncomfortable flashbacks.
Everton boss Marco Silva has an almost full squad to choose from, with centre-back Kurt Zouma available again having sat out the 3-0 win at Cardiff on Tuesday with a one-match suspension.
Full-back Leighton Baines is the only injured player, ruled out with a back problem.
Tactics & predicted starting line-ups
Everton probable XI: Pickford, Coleman, Keane, Zouma, Digne, Gueye, Schneiderlin, Walcott, Sigurdsson, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin.
Zouma should come back in but otherwise SIlva will keep the same side that beat Cardiff, with Schneiderlin getting the nod in midfield ahead of Gomes, who was excellent at Anfield, but doesn't quite offer the same protection.
Silva will try and play a bit more like Man Utd and less like his old side Watford, not pressing too far forward and not leaving an space either in behind or in those spaces between defensive line and midfield. They've got plenty of pace to play on the break and getting the ball at the feet of Sigurdsson as often as possible will be a priority.
Liverpool probable XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Matip, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Henderson, Salah, Firmino, Mane.
Firmino is the big question mark and even if fit Klopp must be tempted to deploy Origi and give Mane another run out down the middle where he looked so dangerous against an albeit welcoming Watford defence. Mane's extra pace running in behind also gave a bit more space for Mo Salah to exploit, and he was also excellent on Wednesday.
Skipper Henderson should step in for Milner with Fabinho and Wijnaldum now Klopp's mainstays in the middle of the park, especially in the big games. Keita, Sturridge and Shaqiri will be the more attacking options from the bench.
Key battles: Trent Alexander-Arnold's display against Watford highlighted that Liverpool are at their best with two attacking full backs flying down each wing, but Everton have a decent pair in Coleman and Digne so despite all the attacking talent on show whoever gets the better of the battle out wide could have the final say.
Alexander-Arnold's delivery was also magnificent and Everton have a weakness from set plays so that will be another key area to watch.
Last time out - Everton's nightmare finish
The team's last meeting at Anfield in December saw Divock Origi score a winner deep into added time, after a calamitous error from Jordan Pickford cost Everton a point.
The goal prompted Klopp to run 40 yards on to the pitch to embrace goalkeeper Alisson Becker - a celebration that earned the Reds boss an £8,000 fine and is a mistake he has no intention of repeating.
"The (last) game was special. We know my celebration, I will not do it again," Klopp said. "(Everyone thought) the ball was out, Virg (Virgil Van Dijk) had already turned after his wonderful volley, and Div scored!
"It was tough that day, and it will be tough on Sunday."
Silva strikes back
Liverpool may be going for the title, but Everton boss Marco Silva is also under pressure after a largely unimpressive season given the squad investment. A win over Cardiff was a start but he needs a strong finish to justify his position as manager.
Make no mistake that the last game at Anfield really hurt him - and seemed to take the wind out of his team's sails. He's desperate to get revenge on Liverpool this time around.
"It is a special game for both, for the city also, for our fans a special match, for their fans also a special match," said Silva.
"I didn't see a big difference. I managed my first Merseyside derby last December and what I felt was a special match for both teams.
"They celebrated that lucky goal - that lucky moment they had in the last seconds of the match - (like it) was the final of a World Cup for us and for them."
Thommo's derby verdict
Everton v Liverpool - The Stats
- This will be the 200th top-flight meeting between Everton and Liverpool, becoming only the second fixture to have been played that many times in the top English league after Aston Villa vs Everton (202).
- Everton are winless in their last 18 encounters with Liverpool in all competitions (D9 L9), their longest ever such streak against their Merseyside rivals.
- Everton's derby record since their last victory reads: P18 W0 D9 L9 F13 A32
- Despite remaining unbeaten in their last 16 league meetings with Everton, Liverpool are looking to do the double over the Toffees for just the third time in the last eight seasons (also in 2011-12 and 2016-17).
- Premier League meetings between Everton and Liverpool have produced more red cards than any other fixture in the history of the competition (21).
- Liverpool have scored more 90th minute winning goals in Premier League games against Everton than any side has against another in the competition (5).
- Everton are looking to secure consecutive Premier League victories for the first time since October, following their 3-0 victory at Cardiff last time out.
- Liverpool have conceded fewer away goals than any other side in the Premier League this season (8).
- Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is unbeaten in his seven competitive meetings with Everton in all competitions (W5 D2). The only Liverpool managers to enjoy a longer unbeaten start against the Toffees are Bob Paisley (10 between 1974-1978) and David Ashworth (8 between 1919-1922).
- Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino has only faced Manchester United (8) more often without finding the net in the Premier League than he has against Everton (6).
- Gylfi Sigurdsson’s brace for Everton against Cardiff last time out took his Premier League tally to 11 for the season, equalling his best ever return in a single campaign in the competition (also 11 in 2015-16).
- Liverpool’s Sadio Mane has scored 14 Premier League goals this season – more than he has in any previous campaign in the competition.
- Mohamed Salah has scored 49 goals in 64 Premier League games for Liverpool. If he scores in this game, he’d have reached 50 for a specific club quicker than any other player in the competition’s history.