Merseyside heats up for Everton’s trip to Anfield

The highly anticipated Merseyside Derby will see Everton try to end a run of 17 games without a win against Liverpool.

Marco Silva has put his stamp on this Everton side which has struggled for identity and consistency over recent years and the fans are feeling positive about challenging for Europe this season.

The purchase of Richarlison has given this Everton side a talisman, a player who is capable of winning matches out of nothing, whilst Silva has implemented an attractive style of football which is reaping the rewards with just one loss in their last five games.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp comes off the back of a 2-1 defeat at the hands of PSG in the Champions League and was emotionally charged after the game, he will be hoping his side can channel that sense of unjust to put their local rivals to the sword.

Liverpool’s forward line of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah have failed to hit the heights they showed in the second half of last season, but Liverpool’s success this season has come off the back of solid defensive displays. The Reds have conceded just five goals in the league this season, with a centre back pairing of Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez proving to be one of the best in the Premier League.

This will mark the 100th top flight meeting between the two sides, Liverpool are winning the head to head battle with 43 wins to Everton’s 23. Ill-discipline is often expected when these sides meet, but just two red cards have been shown in the last 16 games, both to Everton. Liverpool have not received a red card in this fixture since the 2010 meeting when Sotirios Kyrgiakos was given his marching orders.

Long terms absentees Adam Lallana and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are still out for Liverpool, whilst forgotten men Divock Origi and Dominic Solanke are also not fit to be involved.

Everton have a clean bill of health so Marco Silva has his entire squad to choose from.

Liverpool will be determined to keep pace with Manchester City, by the time they kick off they could be five points behind the leaders and the pressure will be on for a win. Everton want to continue a charge for European football and Silva has the belief instilled in them that this is possible, entertainment is definitely on the cards, but goals may be hard to come by in this fixture.