Everton travel to Anfield in Merseyside Derby

In easily the highest profile tie of the third round draw, Liverpool and Everton face off in their second Merseyside derby this month.

But with a twist. An Italian twist in the Toffees dugout.

Marco Silva was sacked shortly after Everton’s defeat to Leicester City, bringing Duncan Ferguson and eventually the wily veteran, Carlo Ancelotti, recently dismissed by Napoli.

In his first two matches Ancelotti has certainly made an impact. Wins at St James’s Park and at home to Burnley, with each of their three goals finished by Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The hosts, after that 5-2 victory back in early December, have won every game including their 2-0 bout against Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United on Thursday.

Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane’s efforts combining with Liverpool’s superb and dominant performance give Everton a duly tough task when they meet tomorrow.

But it certainly won’t be the eleven that faced the Blades that they take on.

In fact, many would argue that this could be Everton’s best chance of winning at Anfield since the turn of the century – especially due to the rotation prophesied by Jurgen Klopp.

Team news

Rhian Brewster, fresh amid loan rumours, is back in the squad for the Reds as confirmed by the Kop boss yesterday. Nathaniel Phillips and Adrian are also expected to feature as Fabinho, Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain continue their rehabilitation.

It remains to be seen whether Japanese international Takumi Minamino makes his Reds debut, alike to Virgil van Dijk, two years ago.

Fabian Delph, Morgan Schneiderlin and Bernard face late tests to be available for the third round tie, with Andre Gomes, Alex Iwobi and Jean-Phillippe Gbamin for sure ruled out.

Klopp notes Everton danger:

“Everton had these three or four weeks, I don’t know exactly how long, when there were question marks over Marco Silva. That is never a good situation. And then they met us on that night when we were on our toes, 100 per cent focused, in really good shape and in a good moment.

“It was always like this, but it was one game. We can go to Goodison Park and it is a completely different game. They are 100 per cent in a different situation to a few weeks ago. We know that, so we don’t compare the last game, we just try to find a solution for this game.”

Ancelotti focuses on beating Liverpool for the third time in recent years:

“At Napoli we were able to do a great performance because to beat Liverpool you have to do a great performance, a normal performance is not enough.

“Everything has to be perfect. You must work hard, sacrifice, show intensity – to beat them your game has to be complete.

“You cannot defend for 90 minutes and we do not want to defend for 90 minutes. We want to have the possibility to play our football.”

Head-to-head

Liverpool wins – 120

Draws – 83

Everton wins – 82

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