Venue: Anfield
Date: 01/04/2017
Kick-off: 12:30 (BST)
Match
Everton prepare to square off against Liverpool at Anfield for the 228th edition of the Merseyside derby on Saturday and the Toffees will boost their chances of a top four finish with a victory over their rivals.
Everton have been completely rejuvenated following the turn of the year and they managed another convincing victory by claiming a 4-0 triumph over Hull City ahead of the international break.
Now a finish in the top four seems like a realistic possibility for Everton but it goes without saying that Ronald Koeman’s men have a lot of work to do before achieving such aspirations.
Nonetheless, Everton will give themselves a good chance by maintaining their fine run and with a clash against fierce enemy Liverpool at Anfield up next this weekend, it will be interesting to see how the Toffees acquit themselves in a ground where they tend to struggle.
Everton Team News
Everton were left shocked following the two season ending injuries suffered by key defenders Seamus Coleman and Ramiro Funes Mori during the international break and the loss of the duo will surely prove to be a huge blow for manager Ronald Koeman.
It looks like Coleman and Funes Mori will be replaced by Mason Holgate and Phil Jagielka respectively and the rest of the backline should consist of Joel Robles, Ashley Williams and Leighton Baines.
Koeman will also be without the services of Morgan Schneiderlin and James McCarthy, meaning that the duo of Gareth Barry and Idrissa Gueye will line up at the middle of the park.
In the attacking positions, Everton thankfully do not have too many problems as the likes of Ross Barkley, Tom Davies and Kevin Mirallas are all expected to start.
Premier League top scorer Romelu Lukaku will be leading the line for Everton during the encounter and if the Toffees are to win on the day, the Belgian star will prove to be key.
Probable Lineups
Liverpool (Probable XI): Mignolet; Milner, Matip, Klavan, Clyne; Can, Lucas, Wijnaldum, Mane, Coutinho; Firmino
Everton (Probable XI): Robles; Baines, Jagielka, Williams, Holgate; Gueye, Barry, Mirallas, Barkley, Davies; Lukaku
Last Meeting
19/12/2016 Everton 0 – 1 Liverpool
20/04/2016 Liverpool 4 – 0 Everton
Prediction
Everton have not beaten Liverpool in their last 13 encounters and their record at Anfield is also very poor, having failed to claim a single victory at the stadium since 1996.
Despite the poor record, one could argue that Everton head into Saturday’s clash in better form than they have ever been but with the injuries stacking up, it looks like the Toffees will fall short at Anfield once again.
Liverpool 2 – 1 Everton
