Liverpool-Everton is a match valid for the twenty-third day of the Premier League and is played on Monday at 21:00: TV, formations, predictions.
In England it’s time for the Merseyside derby. Liverpool and Everton close a day that, as far as the title race is concerned, has seen Manchester City further reduce the distance from the leading Arsenal, while we have witnessed a new false step of Chelsea, stopped in the London derby by West Ham. A result, the latter, welcomed by Jurgen Klopp’s team, who like the Blues are in danger of being clamorously out of the top four places, which are currently a long way off.
Liverpool also rejoiced at the misstep of Newcastle, the team to make the run on at the moment, tripping over Bournemouth. The Reds are stuck at 29, for now having to settle for a bleak tenth place. Last weekend, the crisis of Salah and his teammates was exacerbated by the heavy defeat at Molineux against Wolverhampton (3-0), even the fourth in the last seven games between league and national cups. In 2023 Liverpool’s only success came in the FA Cup. Also worrying is the figure for goals: in the new year Klopp’s men have scored just one in their four Premier League matches against Brentford, Brighton, Chelsea and Wolverhampton. The points to make up on fourth-placed Newcastle – who, however, have two matches left – are twelve. The German coach is therefore called upon to do his utmost to save the season.
Liverpool are in crisis
Normal that, in such conditions, the extra-city tie with Everton looks more open than it usually does. For Cousins it is also a very complicated year, with relegation risk constantly around the corner, but the change of coach seems to have brought the breath of fresh air hoped for by Toffees fans.
Doucouré
The decision to rely on a defensive-minded but experienced salvation coach like Sean Dyche, formerly of Burnley, seems to be the right one. And it was seen a week ago when Everton surprisingly inflicted their second defeat (1-0) on Arsenal, slowing down their frantic run. The Toffees had not won since October, and from December onwards the only point had come in the prohibitive away match against Manchester City, a sign that against the big teams Pickford and his team-mates find a way to exalt themselves. Liverpool warned, although the Reds have only lost one of the last derbies played at Anfield against their hated neighbours.
The Prediction
Despite a disappointing season, Anfield Road remains a safety for Liverpool. At home, the Reds have collected six wins, three draws and one defeat. And their home crowd will also push them into the derby against Everton, in which they start with the favour of prediction. It won’t be an easy night, however, for Klopp’s side, who could concede at least one goal given the unreliability of their defence, still without van Dijk.
Liverpool-Everton’s likely line-up
- LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Matip, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Bajcetic; Salah, Darwin Nunez, Gakpo.
- EVERTON (4-5-1): Pickford; Coleman, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Iwobi, Onana, Gueye, Doucouré, McNeil; Maupay.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
