English Premier League: Liverpool face Everton in first Merseyside Derby

The first of three Merseyside Derbies takes place later today where Liverpool entertain Everton at Anfield. Will Klopp and his men continue the relentless goal scoring form, or are the Blues on a better run?

Both teams head into this fixture in red-hot form. Liverpool has scored 15 goals in their last three fixtures in all competitions and has only conceded one goal on the other end of the pitch. Klopp’s men has seen the best form of the season in the last five to six games.

Silencing all who questioned the defense and showing there’s some quality in the back line and world-class finisher in front of goal. The latter almost never a problem for Liverpool – scoring goals at will since the German took over.

Everton too, has enjoyed their best run after failing to meet expectations. Nine goals across all competitions, with no goals given up by the Everton defence. This factors alone sets the Merseyside Derby alight as is.

Knowing the neighbours share the same organised gameplay – is what sets this derby apart from many we’ve seen in the past. Liverpool boast recent success and walk on the Anfield pitch with heaps of confidence and the visitors approach this game determine to tip the balance in their favour.

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Everton’s previous three Premier League fixtures:

How big Sam contributes to the fixture?

The last time the Blues took any points from this fixture was back in 2015 when both teams were under different management. A draw was the best Everton could achieve against their rivals who’s been the better team of the two for many seasons running now.

A major difference in this fixture is Klopp’s kryptonite, Sam Allardyce. Before Allardyce took leave from the Premier League – he was a pretty big thorn in Liverpool’s side while at West Ham and Sunderland.

In the Premier League campaign, FA Cup run, Sam was battering the Reds into defeat on a number of occasions. Since Sam has been named as the new Everton manager, they’ve been on the right track and worked themselves out of the bottom part of the table and into 10th place.

A win puts them high above cloud 9 and possibly could help them salvage their league ambitions and put them back in contention for a European spot. The time is now for them to show they can play and beat any of the top four, top six.

Liverpool’s previous three Premier League fixtures:

Liverpool at Anfield and in recent weeks:

Unbeaten in the Anfield fortress must be a scary thought for Everton and any other team visiting the venue. Liverpool has made it extremely hard for all teams to come to Anfield and take a point.

The so-called ‘fab four’ share one brain at the moment and are in scintillating form. Klopp spoke of how the difference between now the struggling start the Reds acquired – was down to the front four converting the chances created and not making all of them wasteful.

In defence Liverpool’s turned a shaky back four into a solid defensive unit. But still share a costing error between them. Once in a while rather than, once every game is a better ratio.

The Reds could welcome Adam Lallana whose only featured in a small cameo appearance in the Chelsea draw a couple of weeks back. No start but a chance to run out on the pitch in the second half maybe. This, after the player was in full training ahead of the derby and included in the Champions League squad midweek.

A match many’s been waiting on and ready to view – thankfully the snow hasn’t halted things and the game will take place as expected.

Score prediction of the Merseyside Derby: