Preview: Liverpool vs Everton
Liverpool look to bounce back from Champions League defeat with the always-unpredictable Merseyside derby.
Liverpool vs Everton
| Sunday, December 2nd |
Premier League | Anfield
4:15PM GMT/11:15AM EST
Sunday is Derby Day for the Premier League, and the biggest event on the docket for Liverpool fans is the season’s first Merseyside Derby. Liverpool are set to welcome their blue neighbors to Anfield on the weekend after another hugely disappointing away match in the Champions League. Despite their underwhelming European performances, Liverpool remain undefeated through the first 13 league games.
Liverpool have conceded fives goals in the league and only one at Anfield, so the Toffees have a difficult task at hand. However, anyone who has experienced this particular derby knows that they are often volatile and violent and always unpredictable. Jürgen Klopp will be without captain Jordan Henderson due to a red card suspension.
Marco Silva has steered Everton to sixth place in a very competitive league so far, and the team is unbeaten in their last three. However, a lingering problem remains their away form, which has been unimpressive this season. Everton will look to break through Liverpool’s tight defense with the help of summer addition Richarlison. The Brazilian has already racked up six goals in the league.
With Naby Keïta, and potentially Adam Lallana, back in contention, it will be interesting to see how Klopp sets up his midfield for this match after facing criticism for their stagnant performance in Paris. Xherdan Shaqiri will likely get another chance to shine, given his impressive performances in Red this season.
Projected Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3)
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Milner; Mané, Firmino, Shaqiri; Salah
As previously mentioned, Henderson is unavailable for this match, along with long time absentee Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. It’s possible that Fabinho will get an opportunity in the midfield. If Keïta is fit to start, we may see him slot in as well. Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to reclaim his spot at right-back after getting a break midweek.
Meanwhile, Silva has a full roster to choose from, and should likely field a similar — if not identical — starting XI that beat Cardiff City and held Chelsea to a goalless draw over the last two matches.
What the Managers Had to Say
Jurgen Klopp: “Yes, in specific games we can say that (the midfield didn’t link to the attack sufficiently), but to be honest for me it is quite strange. When everything is brilliant and we score goals you always ask about defending and how can we fix that? We fixed that kind of and it always happens that the first step is it costs you a bit of fluency and creativity. That is a completely normal thing. If someone would think about it for one second they would see it is clear, it is logical.”
Marco Silva: “What I want to see in our team is for us to be ourselves, nothing different to what we did in the big games we already played until now. I’m sure this is what our fans want to see, for us to be ourselves, to fight to achieve a result. I feel it’s a special game for them as well but our fans want us to be the same team, playing to win the match, to be strong, to enjoy the moment and have the ambition to win.”
The Officials
Referee: Chris Kavanagh Assistants: Daniel Cook, Sian Massey-Ellis Fourth official: Anthony Taylor
Kickoff is set for 4:15PM GMT/11:15AM EST tomorrow, and television listings for the match can be found on LiveSoccerTV. In the meantime, we’ll be keeping you updated with all the buildup to the game, including team news as it’s released, our live matchday thread, and post-match recaps from The Liverpool Offside staff. If you want to join the discussion, sign up for an SB Nation account to have your say on the action as it happens.
Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com
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