Liverpool and Everton face off against each other on Monday and after a really long time, this Merseyside Derby is going to be a very balanced one.
In the previous few seasons, Liverpool have been the overwhelming favourites but this campaign, they are in complete shambles. The Reds have picked up just 29 points from their first 20 Premier League games and they have won just one out of their previous five outings.
Everton have also been in poor form themselves but under their new manager Sean Dyche, the Toffees were able to shock league leaders Arsenal. They showed great determination to beat the Gunners 1-0 and that’s the ideal kind of performance before going into a game against Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp still has a long injury list but he can’t keep using that as an excuse every week. The players who are the current regular starters are very much capable and everyone will be hoping that they can get back to winning ways on Monday.
Liverpool’s team news and injuries vs Everton:
The injury list is very long for the Reds but the good news is that Van Dijk and Roberto Firmino have returned to training earlier this week.
We don’t think either of them will be fit to feature in the starting line up on Monday but the fact that they have made a recovery is great news for Klopp.
Thiago Alcantara has picked up a hip flexor injury and he is going to go through a late fitness test to determine his availability.
Fabinho missed the Wolves loss due to an illness but he will be back to full fitness by Monday so if Thiago is missing then the Brazilian will come into the side.
The attacking department is the major area of concern for Jurgen Klopp, not because of injuries but because all of his forwards are out of form.
Yes, the likes of Jota and Luis Diaz are ruled out with knocks but new boys Nunez and Gakpo are yet to settle down at the club. The return of Roberto Firmino is a massive boost for the Liverpool boss but for Monday, he will have to rely on his current front-three.
Mo Salah and Cody Gakpo will be the two wide players with Darwin Nunez playing through the middle. Since the start of the new year, Salah has played in seven games but he’s managed to find the back of the net only once. The Egyptian international will have to pull up his socks if Liverpool want to pick up anything from this tie.
Liverpool predicted line up vs Everton:
Predicted Starting Line up(4-3-3): Alisson; Robertson, Trent, Gomez, Joel Matip; Thiago/Fabinho, Bajcetic/Keita, Henderson; Gakpo, Nunez, Mo Salah.
