⚽️ Team news (via Sky Sports)
Liverpool: Sadio Mane and Thiago Alcantara are back after recovering from Covid-19, but Naby Keita is unavailable. Alisson remains sidelined with a shoulder injury, but Jordan Henderson should play after gaining match fitness with England.
Everton: Yerry Mina and Lucas Digne appear fit despite injury scares while on international duty. Allan and Andre Gomes are also back after missing the last game. Mason Holgate, Jonjoe Kenny, Jarrad Branthwaite and Jean-Philippe Gbamin remain sidelined.
⚽️ Stats to know (via Opta)
- Everton are winless in 19 Premier League meetings with Liverpool (11 draws, 8 defeats), since a 2-0 win in October 2010.
- Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 22 meetings with Everton in all competitions - their best run ever against any opponent.
- This is the first top-flight Merseyside derby with Everton starting the day top of the table since September 1989 - on that day, Liverpool won 3-1.
- Three previous games between Liverpool and Everton ended 0-0 - so far, no other top-flight fixture has finished four times in a row.
⚽️ Probable Liverpool line-up
4-3-3: Adrian; Robertson, Van Dijk, Gomez, Alexander-Arnold; Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Henderson; Mane, Firmino, Salah
⚽️ Score predictions
Michael Owen, BetVictor: Everton 1-2 Liverpool
"This is the most anticipated Merseyside Derby in many a year. Who would’ve predicted out of the two sides that it would be Everton that go into the match with a 100% record?
"They have had some start, while Liverpool have had two weeks to lick their wounds after their 7-2 loss to Aston Villa. Will we see reaction? I think so. This could be a classic, and I’m taking the Reds to edge it in a close run match."
Mark Lawrenson, BBC: Everton 1-1 Liverpool
"It is going to be interesting to see how Liverpool get on against Everton's midfield and whether they can get in and around them. The same goes for how the Liverpool defence copes under pressure this time. It is a difficult one to call, which is why I am going with a draw."
⚽️ Quotes from the manager (via BBC)
Jurgen Klopp: "What I think about Carlo Ancelotti was never a secret. I couldn't respect him more. He's a wonderful human being. When I heard he was going to sign for Everton I thought 'Uhhh, the next proper challenger in line'.
"They did the perfect business in the summer. They found exactly the players that they needed to improve an already pretty good football team. Together, getting more used to what Carlo wants them to do makes them a pretty strong team."
