Firmino on bench for Merseyside derby

Divock Origi retains his place in attack for Liverpool’s Merseyside derby against Everton with, Roberto Firmino only on the bench despite recovering from injury.

Firmino hurt his ankle in last weekend’s 0-0 draw at Manchester United and missed a midweek 5-0 thrashing of Watford at Anfield as a result.

Sadio Mane deputised in a central role and the Senegal forward struck a brace, including a brilliant backheel, with Virgil van Dijk also on target twice.

Klopp had hoped the Brazil forward would be available to start at Goodison Park on Sunday but Firmino joins Daniel Sturridge, Adam Lallana and Xherdan Shaqiri among the substitutes.

#MerseysideDerby team news. The Reds #EVELIV https://t.co/Pd0wpmhpPn

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 3, 2019

Liverpool have made a single change from the Watford win, with skipper Jordan Henderson coming back into midfield at the expense of vice-captain James Milner.

“Millie just felt a little bit his hamstring,” Klopp said to Sky Sports. “If Millie gives a warning sign… I think he would have been fine but the last two days he felt it still.

“So there is no reason for risk, especially when we have options on the bench, which we had in the last game. Hendo is a very, very important player for us, so it’s good he can be back.

“Bobby trained yesterday and it looked really good, so he is on the bench because he could be an option. I didn’t think it was necessary to bring him immediately after the good game we played on Wednesday. We’ll try it like this. We have very good options, that’s important.”

 MERSEYSIDE DERBY TEAM NEWS 

 changes.
@KurtZouma returns.
@b_10duarte starts.

COME ON YOU BLUES!  #EFCmatchday pic.twitter.com/rnONwL8PSj

— Everton (@Everton) March 3, 2019

Marco Silva brings Kurt Zouma into Everton’s back line with experienced defender Phil Jagielka dropping out, and Bernard replaces fellow Brazilian attacker Richarlison after their 3-0 win at Cardiff City last time out.

Liverpool won the reverse fixture 1-0 in December after Jordan Pickford’s error allowed Origi to strike deep into injury time at Anfield, Klopp running on the pitch to embrace goalkeeper Alisson.

Although two of the last three Premier League clashes between the sides have been drawn, Everton are winless in their last 18 encounters with Liverpool in all competitions – their longest sequence without victory against their Merseyside rivals.

Liverpool must win to reclaim top spot in the Premier League after title rivals Manchester City battled to a 1-0 victory at Bournemouth on Saturday thanks to Riyad Mahrez’s goal.