Preview: Everton vs. Liverpool: lineups, team news, and prediction

This Wednesday at Goodison Park, Everton and Liverpool will square off in a Merseyside derby that could have significant implications for both teams at the top and bottom of the Premier League standings.

On Sunday afternoon, the Reds defeated Fulham 3-1 without any drama, while Sean Dyche’s team defeated Nottingham Forest 2-0 in front of an incredible scene.

MATCH PREVIEW 

In the ‘points deduction derby’ against Nottingham Forest, Everton won all three points thanks to two very similar goals from Idrissa Gueye and Dwight McNeil, both of which hit the inside of the post on their way in. However, the headlines were stolen by the visitors’ incredible post-match remark.

Just minutes after the referee signalled that the game was over, Nottingham Forest effectively accused Stuart Attwell, a VAR official, of being dishonest. They claimed to have alerted the PGMOL to Attwell’s apparent Luton Town connections, before Attwell was denied three strong penalty calls at Goodison Park.

While Forest let out an unheard-of tirade, their hosts—who should consider themselves fortunate to have avoided giving up at least one spot kick—quietly celebrated their second victory in three Premier League games, moving them up to 16th place, five points clear of the relegation zone.

The Toffees have won six straight at Goodison Park, continuing their winning streak of six games to none. While their place in the Premier League is still far from guaranteed, they do have a game in hand over Forest, Luton, and Burnley.

In fact, Everton has kept a clean sheet in each of their last 11 Premier League home victories. However, in their last 22 top-flight games at Goodison Park, they have lost 17 of them and have not won any.

Because of this, the statistics indicate that Liverpool only needs to score once to send their fierce rivals reeling. They did just that against Atalanta BC in the Europa League quarterfinals, but their miserable 3-0 defeat at Anfield meant that their narrow victory in Bergamo was insufficient to keep their continental bacon intact.

Three days after their trip to Italy, it seemed like a difficult test to face Fulham, who have the seventh-best home record in the division. At first, Timothy Castagne cancelled out a free kick by Trent Alexander-Arnold, but goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota in the second half destroyed the Cottagers.

Liverpool’s first Premier League away win since March 2 moved Jurgen Klopp’s team up to second in the rankings behind an Arsenal team with a superior goal differential, but City’s game remaining ensures that the title is still the champions’ to lose while Manchester City is occupied with FA Cup semi-final duty.

However, following earlier wasteful displays, Sunday’s precision display was a breath of fresh air for Liverpool fans. The Reds’ admirable Premier League scoring streak on the road now stands at 20 games after they were shut out by Chelsea in April of last year.

Everton was left to criticise a controversial decision in October’s 2-0 Anfield loss to Liverpool, where Ibrahima Konate narrowly avoided a sending-off. This was prior to Forest’s furious refereeing at the weekend. Since then, the Toffees have failed to score in each of their last four games against their rowdy neighbours.

TEAM NEWS

Beto’s horrific head injury overshadowed Everton’s victory over Nottingham Forest. Despite needing oxygen as he was carted off the pitch in extra time, Beto was still strong enough to give the cheering supporters a thumbs-up.

Though Beto will undoubtedly miss the derby along with Lewis Dobbin (ankle), Dele Alli (groyne), and Nathan Patterson—whose thigh injury is expected to ruin his prospects of playing Scotland at Euro 2024—Dyche has stated that the early signs are promising.

Due to a groyne niggle, Dyche has Seamus Coleman on his touch-and-go list; however, Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were both cleared to start against Forest this past weekend after overcoming personal worries.

In the meantime, Liverpool’s injury situation is unchanged. Joel Matip (knee), Ben Doak (knee), Thiago Alcantara (muscle), and Conor Bradley (ankle) are still out, though the latter should be back in a few weeks barring any problems.

Due to a calf issue, Stefan Bajcetic was not included in the matchday squad on Sunday. However, it is possible that Klopp chose to start a new midfield for the victory over Fulham for tactical reasons; the Spaniard has since played for the Under-21s.

In addition to reorganising and replacing his engine room, Klopp also benched Mohamed Salah in West London. However, the 31-year-old will undoubtedly make an instant comeback to the starting lineup on Derby Day, possibly ahead of Diogo Jota if the Klopp believes the Portuguese playmaker will not handle two starts in four days.

Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Endo.

Everton possible starting lineup:
Pickford; Young, Onana Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison, Gueye, McNeil; Doucoure; Calvert-Lewin

Prediction: Liverpool 1-3 Everton

The Reds defence, which has not been impenetrable in 2024, presents Everton with a chance to break their scoreless run. However, if the visitors can maintain their current run of scoring in every away Premier League game this season, the writing will be on the wall for Dyche’s men.

With some well-known players limited to second-half cameos, Klopp’s team easily defeated Fulham, and the title-chasing Reds should be able to reclaim the trophy at Goodison with a full strength lineup.