Everton and Liverpool meet Saturday for the latest edition of the Merseyside derby.
The local rivals are nearly on opposite sides of the table, with Liverpool holding a healthy lead at the top while Everton have been flirting with the relegation zone all season.
However, the Toffees were victors the last time these sides met, and they'd love nothing more than to deny the Reds a victory to allow the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal to gain a bit more ground in the title race.
Everton vs. Liverpool: Head-to-head and recent statistics
- All-time meetings: 295
- Everton wins: 84
- Draws: 86
- Liverpool wins: 125
This is as lopsided as a local derby gets, with Everton having won just 84 of 295 total meetings (28.5%).
However, the Toffees did win this same fixture in April, the last time the teams faced off in the Premier League.
Everton vs. Liverpool: Team news
Everton
- Injured: Garner, Iroegbunam, Chermiti, Alli
- Suspended: None
Liverpool
- Injured: Alisson, Bradley, Konate, Tsimikas
- Suspended: Mac Allister
Everton vs. Liverpool: What the managers are saying
Sean Dyche
(via evertonfc.com)
“The depth and the history of it – most football fans grow up knowing about the Merseyside derby. I think this is my fourth, so I have a better understanding of it and the depth of it, and the depth of what it means to people and I certainly experience that last year, with the win.”
Arne Slot
(via liverpoolfc.com)
"People told me about it but I think the main thing I have to know about it is their playing style, what we can expect. You need to be aggressive if you go over there because they will be aggressive as well. But you have to be aggressive in a smart way.
"Because last season we were very aggressive when we went out there – because I watched the game yesterday – and after half an hour I was a bit surprised because Liverpool had the ball most of the time but there were 10 fouls made by the Liverpool players and only one by an Everton player."
Everton vs. Liverpool: Prediction
Liverpool did indeed struggle the last time they visited Goodison Park, however recent form has to favour the league leaders in this one.
As Arne Slot alluded to in his pre-match press conference, he won't allow his side to play as recklessly as they did in the previous Merseyside derby, which should allow Liverpool to leave with a comfortable win.
Prediction: Everton 1-3 Liverpool