Prediction: Liverpool vs Everton

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Bet365

Jurgen Klopp must restore Liverpool’s confidence following a Champions League setback as they host Everton at Anfield in Sunday’s Merseyside derby.

Liverpool

Starting with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side, if the Reds are serious about mounting a charge to dethrone Manchester City then the German boss will know he must put their midweek Champions League woes behind them. Slumping to a 2-1 loss away at PSG, Sunday’s hosts have now lost their four European away matches on the bounce and the odds of them making the knockout stage are looking increasingly uncertain. As for their Premier League form, however, the Reds sit two points adrift of the defending champions at the top of the table and are unbeaten in this season’s Premier League, and have 33 points, their highest ever tally at this stage of a Premier League season. While their defensive record in Europe is leaving a lot to the imagination, Klopp’s side have received plaudits for their stability domestically. Led by Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool have conceded just one league goal at Anfield this season.

Team News

Liverpool will be without captain Jordan Henderson, who is suspended after being sent off last weekend.

Boss Jurgen Klopp says a number of unnamed players are nursing knocks following the midweek defeat by Paris St-Germain.

Everton

As for the visitors, while they may have taken some time to adjust under former Watford boss Marco Silva, Everton are putting in a strong case for the most improved side entering the Christmas period. Picking up a 1-0 win over Cardiff last weekend to go along with their very impressive draw at Stamford Bridge, the Blues have lost just one of their last seven in the league. Climbing to sixth in the table and a point ahead of Manchester United, it will be their recent defensive record that will be most impressing Silva. Everton have now kept three clean sheets across all competitions, and the summer arrivals of Andre Gomes, Lucas Digne and Richarlison are proving to be money well spent. If there is one area that the visitors will be looking to improve on it will certainly be their form away from Goodison Park. Their only away win this season was a 2-1 victory at Leicester in October. While the mood in the Blue half of Merseyside is at a season-high, the Toffees last win at Anfield was way back in 1999.

Team News

Everton manager Marco Silva has no new injury worries ahead of his first Merseyside derby.

Ademola Lookman is in contention to make his first league start of the season.

Key Factors to Consider

• It’s the 100th league meeting between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield. The Reds have won 43, and the Toffees 23, with 33 draws.
• Liverpool are unbeaten in the last 15 league meetings with Everton (W6, D9), with their last defeat coming in October 2010.
• Everton’s last win at Anfield was back in 1999, when Kevin Campbell got the only goal in a match which saw three red cards.
• Liverpool are unbeaten in this season’s Premier League, and have 33 points, their highest ever tally at this stage of a Premier League season.
• The Toffees conceded 11 times in their first six Premier League games under Marco Silva, but have only shipped four in the subsequent seven.

Conclusion

With Everton enjoying their most impressive run under Marco Silva and also managing to find the net in each of their last three meetings against their bitter rivals, we’re once again backing both teams to find the net at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Bet365