Liverpool hope to bounce back against the strongest Everton side in years

The Merseyside derby will be at its competitive best on Saturday as a confident Everton host Jurgen Klopp’s redemption-seeking Liverpool.

Saturday marks ten years since Liverpool’s last defeat to Everton and it wouldn’t be beyond reasonable thought for that statistic to come to a halt at Goodison Park.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side look as strong as a Toffees squad has ever been in the Premier League era. They have got a striker in red-hot form and a midfield that never fails to control the game’s tempo.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, on the other hand, have been sloppy in defence, with their attacking threat bailing them out on a couple of occasions.

The German manager would love to ignore his side’s embarrassing 7-2 loss to Aston Villa, but that is virtually impossible. It was the poorest showing under his leadership, which ought to instil the desire to perform at the highest level in the fiercest derby in English football.

Despite the Reds’ heavy loss to Villa, Ancelotti said they musn’t be undermined.

“It doesn’t matter what happened last week, they are still a fantastic team with a fantastic manager.“

Klopp too recognised the strength of the toffees.

“They did some good business and Carlo is a sensational manager. This team looks really good – I’d like to say something different but that’s not possible – a proper challenge!”

The game will be won in the heart of midfield, as both clubs have the firepower up front to torment either side’s defence.

Everton’s new recruit, Allan, has been monumental in the side’s transition from defence to attack. Liverpool will be hoping for the same from their blockbuster signing, Thiago, whose 45 minutes on the pitch against Chelsea sent Kopites into elation.

Liverpool will be without their No.8, Naby Keita, who has a minor fitness issue, and more importantly Alisson will not be fit in time for the derby, although Klopp hinted that he made positive steps in his recovery from his shoulder injury.

The Reds will be boosted by the return of Thiago and Sadio Mane, who have both recovered from COVID-19 and completed the required self-isolation. Joel Matip also returned to training.

Everton’s midfield duo of Allan and Andre Gomes returned to training, and hence will be in consideration for a place in the starting lineup.

The last three Merseyside derbies at Goodison Park have been goalless, but with two extremely sharp attacks, accompanied by dynamic midfields, its highly unlikely that feature continues tomorrow.

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