Verdict: Liverpool to Win to Nil
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: 888sport
The FA Cup fans could no0t have wished for a better start to the third round of the competition with Merseyside rivals Liverpool and Everton ready to lock horns in highly-anticipating 230th edition of the Liverpool derby.
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp will have plenty to think – or should we say worry – about ahead of the Merseyside derby. As the future of his first-team star Philippe Coutinho hangs in the balance, Jurgen Klopp could decide to hand a debut to the club-record signing Virgil van Dijk amid the hectic festive schedule.
The German decided to rotate the squad last time out against Burnley, having started the match at Turf Moor with only one of his four attacking starters on pitch – Sadio Mane. The Senegal forward has been struggling with form but he stepped up the plate when it was most needed and went on to open the scoring and guide Liverpool to a much-needed victory. Reds have traditionally struggled in January but the 2-1 victory at Burnley saw them extend their unbeaten run to impressive 16 consecutive matches in all competitions and there is no doubt that Klopp’s changes will be fired up to go even further as they prepare to battle their neighbours in the Merseyside derby.
Team News
With Barcelona knocking on the door, Philippe Coutinho is out of contention due to a thigh problem according to Jurgen Klopp. Mo Salah and Sadio Mane are currently in Africa to attend the Confederation of African Football Awards and will be back in Liverpool on the day of the game.
Dominic Solanke will make way for Roberto Firmino in attack while there’s every chance we will see Virgil van Dijk as a Red for the first time.
Everton
Sam Allardyce has made an instant impact on the Everton squad and should be credited for steadying the ship following a turbulent start to the new campaign. The Toffees did lose some of the newly discovered momentum over the last two games, but should be taken extremely seriously.
It was back towards the end of November when Everton got hammered 4-1 by Southampton, after which they launched an eight-match unbeaten run across all competitions to lift the morale and overall spirit at Goodison. A slight dip in form arrived in December, however, with back-to-back goalless stalemates against Chelsea and West Brom, respectively, before Everton suffered successive defeats at the turn of the year – 2-1 at Bournemouth and 2-0 at home to Manchester United. Allardyce now face a bit of a pressure to help Everton get up on their feet during the hectic schedule which brings much more than an ordinary FA Cup clash. Merseyside derby is a game of special importance and Everton will, without a doubt, do their best to try and win their first game at Anfield since 1999.
Team News
Everton remain without Ross Barkley, Funes Mori, Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman who have all been out of action for lengthy periods of time.
Key Factors to Consider
- Liverpool haven’t lost any of their last 16 matches in all competitions
- Everton are winless in last four games under Big Sam
- Toffees are looking to avoid a third FA Cup third-round exit in last 4 years
- Everton last won at Anfield back in 1999
- Liverpool conceded only 3 goals in last 10 home matches across all competitions
Conclusion
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are back to their best and must be considered firm favourites to beat Everton who are experiencing a bit of a slump in form. The Reds enjoy a successful home run against the Toffees and with Virgil van Dijk expected to be given his debut at the back we are confident they will be able to keep a clean sheet in the Merseyside Derby.
Verdict: Liverpool to Win to Nil
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: 888sport
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