Everton are coming into this game vs Liverpool on the back of just two defeats from their last six Premier League matches. The Toffees are an impressive form, and they are eighth in the league table. They will be chasing European qualification for the upcoming campaign. A victory over Liverpool would be a huge boost for them.
On the other hand, Liverpool are pushing for UEFA Champions League qualification. They cannot afford to drop points right now. It will be interesting to see if they can improve their performance levels and grind out a positive result in the Merseyside Derby.
Liverpool have lost four of their last five matches across all competitions, and they are struggling right now. They have failed to score in the last three defeats. This will be a massive challenge for them. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Jack Grealish misses out with a foot injury. However, there is some good news, as Carlos Alcaraz should be fit and available for the Merseyside Derby. Everton are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Liverpool, with Jordan Pickford in goal.
Nathan Patterson and Vitaliy Mykolenko will start in the full-back positions. They will look to keep things tight defensively. Meanwhile, Michael Keane will start alongside James Tarkowski at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Idrissa Gueye will start alongside James Garner in the double pivot. They will look to protect the back four and break down the opposition’s attacking moves.
Iliman Ndiaye and Tyler Dibling will start on the flanks. They will look to create opportunities on the break. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will start as the attacking midfielder, and he will look to link the midfield with the attack. Finally, Beto will lead the line for Everton vs Liverpool on Sunday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Patterson, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Gueye, Garner; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Dibling; Beto
The away team will be without Conor Bradley (knee), Wataru Endo (ankle), Hugo Ekitike (Achilles), Joe Gomez (muscle), and Alisson Becker (knock) this week. Liverpool are likely to start in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Everton, with Giorgi Mamardashvilli in goal.
Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez will start as the full-backs. They will look to help out at both ends of the pitch. Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk will form the central defensive unit.
As for the midfield unit, Ryan Gravenberch will start alongside Dominik Szoboszlai in the double pivot, aiming to add control and composure to the team. Alexis Mac Allister will look to create opportunities for teammates in the final third.
Finally, Alexander Isak will spearhead the Liverpool attack vs Everton, with Florian Wirtz and Mohamed Salah on either side of him.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvilli; Frimpong, Konate, van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Mac Allister, Wirtz; Isak
The Egyptian international will leave the club at the end of the season, and this is his final Merseyside Derby. Liverpool will need him to step up and produce in the final third.
Hugo Ekitike has been ruled out for the season with Achilles tendon rupture, and the Egyptian will have to shoulder the creative and goalscoring burden here. Everton will look to put up a strong resistance, and Liverpool needs someone who can break them down. Salah has the quality and the experience to do that. He will be crucial if Liverpool wants to win this game.
Liverpool are completely lacking in form and confidence right now. This will be a difficult outing for them, especially away from home. Everton will be full of confidence, and they will look to dent the UEFA Champions League hopes of their bitter rivals.
Both teams will be playing for a victory, and this is likely to be an open game with plenty of chances. However, Liverpool is in poor form and is likely to come up short. A narrow win for Everton is on the cards. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 victory for David Moyes and his charges.
