Football fans have some tantalizing fixtures on the European schedule this weekend, but they don’t come much bigger than the match we focus on in this article. The Merseyside Derby returns as Liverpool host Everton at Anfield from 20:00 GMT on Monday. The stadium will be packed to capacity, with millions more taking advantage of the live TV coverage. But which side will we see win the derby and collect all three points? Will Liverpool arrest their recent slump and help get the fans back onside with a win over their neighbors? Perhaps you like the chances of Everton building on last week’s impressive show. Keep reading as we provide all the information and stats you need to make a call on this game.
Both the Reds and Toffees have suffered this season. The campaign has been much worse than anything followers could have expected back in pre-season. If it could have gone wrong at Anfield and Goodison Park this year, it has. The home team was expected to challenge Man City for the league title following last year’s near-miss. Instead, they are stuck in the relegation zone, miles off the pace set by current leaders Arsenal. The less said about Everton’s performances, the better, and they are closer to being relegated than they are to winning the title.
The Merseyside rivals have treated us to some exciting derbies over the years, and this looks all set to be another thriller. We want to see plenty of chances created and goals scored. Both managers will be reluctant to throw caution to the wind and risk another disastrous defeat, but they will be happy to go on the attack. Liverpool needs goals, and the home support won’t settle for anything less than three points. Everton needs points on the board and has strong foundations after a manager change and return to winning ways. Keep reading as we break this fixture down, highlighting the stats, form, and odds that matter.
Reds winless run rumbles on
Despite being picked by just about every respected pundit as the team most likely to challenge Man City for the Premier League title and stop Pep Guardiola’s men from completing three titles on the bounce, Liverpool has been painfully poor this season. They started the week down in midtable, with their stats for the season so far showing eight wins, five draws, and seven defeats. That’s the kind of form you’d expect to find from a team treading water in the middle of the league, but fans know their side is capable of so much more. The players must get back to winning ways, and Everton is the perfect opponent to do that against.
Taking a closer look at their dreadful form, we note Liverpool has won the same number of games as Aston Villa in 11th. Their form shows 34 goals scored and 28 conceded, which is alarming for Jurgen Klopp, his coaching staff, and everyone concerned with the fortunes of the 2020 Premier League champions. They have conceded more goals than West Ham, who can be found in 16th, another side that had struggled to live up to the standards of 12 months ago when the Hammers were chasing prizes. Klopp’s priority is tightening the defense, or it could cost him his job.
Liverpool is winless in their last four, taking one point from a possible dozen, and that’s not good enough for a team of their caliber. They went to Molineux last week and were fancied to beat Wolves and get back on track, but ended with a 3-0 defeat, a result that shocked English football. What exactly is wrong at Anfield, and what must be done to improve the club’s fortunes? Those are questions Klopp must find the answers to quickly. If the players think things are bad at present, it’s nothing to the rage that’ll come their way if they lose here.
Toffees seal a sweet win
It has been a horrible season for Everton under former manager Frank Lampard, but he was eventually released from his contract and replaced by experienced gaffer Sean Dyche. The new arrival, who joined and took charge of his first game as Everton boss last weekend, has been tasked with dragging his recruits free of the relegation zone and up the table. The damage has been done, and they are unlikely to challenge for the major places, but Everton is good enough to remain an EPL side next term.
When Dyche took over at Goodison, his team lost four and drew one of its last five at this level. Those results explained why Everton is in the bottom three and headed for relegation to the Championship. Is Everton too big a name to be dropped from the EPL? Just ask the likes of Portsmouth, Bolton, and Coventry. Those sides were relegated from the top tier, despite being major players at the time and failed to bounce back, remaining in the lower leagues while watching the Premier League as spectators.
The club’s fortunes changed last weekend when Everton hosted Premier League leaders Arsenal and beat them 1-0. That was a Gunners side clear at the top of the league and looking every inch a champion in-waiting. But Everton’s renewed passion and determination helped them overcome the Londoners and make a timely return to winning ways.
Liverpool v Everton prediction
Liverpool is the home side that sits higher in the table than its opponent. They will benefit from the backing of passionate support inside Anfield, but only if they start well. The longer this game remains goalless, the more restless the supporters will become, which will impact the players. Play to their best and both teams can find the net in this game and keep things interesting.
Premier League odds
You can bet on Liverpool to win at 1.515 with 22bet or back Everton at 6.1. You’ll find the draw trading at 4.34.
Make sure to bet on Liverpool v Everton with 22Bet!
