LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, December 2, 2018: Liverpool's Fabio Henrique Tavares 'Fabinho' tackles Everton's Richarlison de Andrade during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC at Anfield, the 232nd Merseyside Derby. (Pic by Paul Greenwood/Propaganda)

Reds look for major statement in vital Merseyside derby – Everton vs. Liverpool Preview

Liverpool and Everton meet in the 233rd Merseyside derby on Sunday, with Goodison Park desperate to see a surprise result dent the Reds’ title bid.

Everton vs. Liverpool

Sunday, March 3, 2019 – 4.15pm (GMT)
Goodison Park
Premier League
Referee: Martin Atkinson

Jurgen Klopp‘s side produced the perfect response after drawing at Man United in limp fashion, swatting aside Watford with ease in midweek.

The 5-0 win was one of Liverpool’s best performances of the season and it sent out a clear message to champions Man City: the Reds are going nowhere.

Every game is significant at the moment, with Klopp’s men 10 wins away from securing a first-ever Premier League title.

One of their toughest-remaining assignments arrives this weekend, as Everton look to deal a blow to their local rivals.

The Blues have had a disappointing season under Marco Silva, but in front of a revved-up Goodison crowd, they will be raring to go.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, October 28, 2018: Everton's captain Gylfi Sigurdsson during the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Everton FC at Old Trafford. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Although Liverpool haven’t lost a derby since way back in October 2010, five of the last six meetings at Everton have ended in a draw.

That goes to show that they will have their work cut out and they must take the momentum from the Watford game with them.

A number of away outings in big matches have been disappointing this season; it is time for Liverpool to secure a resounding win on their travels, further outlining their title credentials.

It could be nerve-shredding encounter, as derbies often are, particularly as this one carries such extra significance.

This fixture last season: Everton 0-0 Liverpool

 

Team News

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, February 19, 2019: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino during the pre-match warm-up before the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 1st Leg match between Liverpool FC and FC Bayern M¸nchen at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Roberto Firmino is expected to return to the squad after recovering from an ankle injury, but whether or not he starts is another matter.

The Brazilian could come back in for Divock Origi, allowing Sadio Mane to return to the left-hand side, although the Belgian did impress against Watford and could be retained.

Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez are still out, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Rhian Brewster are working their way to full fitness, too.

Brewster will return to full training next week for the first time in over a year.

Virgil Van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnodl (Image: Richard Sellers/PA Wire.)

Most of the team picks itself, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson the undisputed first-choice back-line.

Fabinho is now one of Liverpool’s most important players so he is a certainty to start, as is the influential Gini Wijnaldum.

It is a toss-up between Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Naby Keita to take the third midfield spot.

Silva has a clean bill of health ahead of the game, with veterans Phil Jageilka and Leighton Baines fit again.

 

Last 5 Away to Everton (All Competitions)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 7, 2018: Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum and Everton's Morgan Schneiderlin during the FA Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool, the 231st Merseyside Derby, at Goodison Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Drew 0-0 – April 2018
Won 1-0 – December 2016 (Mane)
Drew 1-1 – October 2015 (Lukaku; Ings)
Drew 0-0 – February 2015
Drew 3-3 – November 2013 (Mirallas, Lukaku x2; Coutinho, Suarez, Sturridge)

 

Goodison Park

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, January 6, 2016: A general view of Everton's Goodison Park before the Football League Cup Semi-Final 1st Leg match against Manchester City. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Capacity: 39,572

Away fans’ pubs: The Sandon? I usually stay the blue side of County Road even for derbies so I’m not best placed to answer this one!

One piece of advice for visiting fan: Explore as much of our fantastic city as you can, it will dampen all of the shitty, idiotic stereotypes you will have heard and read about it, and make you want to come and visit again.

It’s one of the best places on earth, I promise.

Answers courtesy of Dave Downie (@daviddownie17).

 

Did You Know?

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, February 27, 2019: Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker celebrates as his side score the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Watford FC at Anfield. (Pic by Paul Greenwood/Propaganda)

Alisson is closing in on Pepe Reina’s Liverpool record of 20 clean sheets in a Premier League season.

The 26-year-old has already secured 16 shutouts in his first 28 league games in English football, giving him a great chance of pipping Reina.

Incidentally, Alisson has kept more clean-sheets than he has conceded goals (15) in 2018/19, which highlights what a superb addition he has been.

 

Form

Virgil Van Dijk celebrates vs Watford ( James Wilson/Sportimage/PA Images)

Everton – Last five results (all competitions)

Won 3-0 vs. Cardiff
Lost 1-0 vs. Watford
Lost 2-0 vs. Man city
Lost 3-1 vs. Wolves
Won 1-0 vs. Huddersfield

Liverpool – Last five results (all competitions)

Won 5-0 vs. Watford
Drew 0-0 vs. Man United
Drew 0-0 vs. Bayern Munich
Won 3-0 vs. Bournemouth
Drew 1-1 vs. West Ham

 

Klopp’s View

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Klopp praised the form of Matip, who has quietly gone about his business in reliable fashion:

“Very impressive. I think we all know when he first came back, he was not the Joel we had before he got injured.

“Because when he got injured he was outstanding. It was outstanding what he did, especially the Napoli game where he got the injury, he played a really, really top-class game.

“He’s just a really high, high, high-class player. He’s doing the job, he’s not asked for any credit or whatever.

“He’s just there, he loves what he’s doing. So it’s really nice to have him around.”

 

TV & Live Blog Info

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Friday, December 21, 2018: Former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher and former Manchester United player Gary Neville working for Sky Sports before the FA Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Liverpool FC at Molineux Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Everton vs. Liverpool is live on Sky Sports Main Event from 4pm (GMT), with kickoff at Goodison at 4.15pm.

Chris Williams will be in place on our matchday live blog from 3.30pm, with lots of pre-match content and minute-by-minute updates during proceedings.

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