EVERTON VS LIVERPOOL: PREVIEW

Liverpool make the short trip to Goodison Park tomorrow for an early kickoff (12:30pm GMT), in what is the first Merseyside derby of the campaign. Here’s a preview of the game.

It was a hard fought comeback victory for the Reds last time out as Newcastle United proved a tough nut to crack. The performance was less than convincing but the result was nicked with a last gasp Carvalho strike.

The problems from what has been a slow start to the season were evident on Wednesday night against the Magpies. Without the boost of an early goal, Liverpool had no real control of proceedings.

Nick Pope was underemployed in goal and the visitors’ plan to frustrate worked for pretty much 96 minutes. A number of players in red underperformed yet again, with the Reds lucky not to go 2-0 down after Isak’s second was ruled out by a tight offside call.

Perhaps that’s harsh criticism considering how improved Newcastle have been under Eddie Howe’s guidance. Be that as it may, Jürgen Klopp will know his side need to improve going forward.

They will have the chance to put right the awful display at Old Trafford when they turn up at a hostile Goodison tomorrow. They were outran and outfought in defeat to Manchester United and will have to at least match Everton for endeavour here.

That performance a fortnight ago should be a blueprint for how not to approach the game tomorrow. The manager has to find a way to sort the slow starts that are becoming symptomatic of his side.

Liverpool have conceded the first goal in ten of their last thirteen fixtures in all competitions. They’ve been behind at halftime in four of their five league fixtures this campaign.

That is a worrying stat. Hand this desperate Everton side the lead and they’ll fight tooth and nail to hang on to it. The Blues are without a league win this campaign, having lost to Chelsea and Villa before drawing their last three.

They sit 17th in the table, just outside the relegation places due to their goals scored column being healthier than that of Wolves. After barely escaping relegation last season, these are worrying times for the Glawdys Street faithful.

The Toffees have made endless big money mistakes in the transfer market over the years and that seems to have finally caught up with them. They’ve brought in the likes of Tarkowski, McNeil, Vinagre, Coady, Maupay, Onana this summer.

The deadline day captures of Gueye and Garner took their total expenditure to the £80million mark, a conservative sum when you reflect on some of their outlays over the past five years.

Defeat tomorrow will heap even more pressure on Frank Lampard, so expect Everton to use every trick in the book to try and get by in the game. Liverpool will need leaders to get on the ball in the heat of the derby and play.

Jürgen Klopp has taken in 15 Merseyside derbies in his near seven year stint at the club, tasting defeat just once. He’s guided the Reds to nine wins over their neighbours and is yet to lose a game at Goodison Park (2W, 4D).

The Reds completed the double over Everton last season, winning 4-1 at Goodison Park before a 2-0 victory at Anfield back in April. A win tomorrow will be the Reds’ third straight victory over the Toffees, a feat they’ve not managed since 2017.

Team News

The Reds’ injury woes are easing. Matip and Jones returned to the matchday squad against Newcastle but remained unused substitutes. After a few more training sessions over the past few days, they will come into contention for a start.

Diogo Jota returned to training yesterday as well and could be named in the squad. Thiago is expected to return next week, whilst Konaté is slated for a return over the international break. Kelleher, Ramsay, Keita and Ox remain out.

Deadline day signing, Arthur Melo, is still awaiting international clearance. He will likely miss the game as a result, with his debut having to wait till the midweek trip to Naples in the Champions League.

Lampard has injury woes of his own, with up to six first team players unavailable. Holgate (knee), Doucoure (muscle), Calvert-Lewin (knee), Townsend (ligament), Mina (ankle) and Godfrey (ankle) are all ruled out.

Key Players

Roberto Firmino

The Brazilian is in a rich vein of form at the minute, having managed 3 goals and 3 assists in his last two appearances. Even with Darwin Nunez back from suspension, you’d expect Bobby to start.

Anthony Gordon

The young Scouser has been Everton’s shining light this season. His head was turned by interest from Chelsea but his performances didn’t suffer as a result. He’s netted in each of the last two and will seek to cause problems with his pace in behind Liverpool’s high line.

Harvey Elliott

The 19 year old was the best player on the pitch in the victory over Newcastle. He’s making that right midfield spot his own with each passing game. He will have to rise above the physicality of the derby to impose his will on the game.