A massive boost for Liverpool ahead of the Merseyside derby

The Premier League champions take the short trip to neighbouring rivals, Everton, on Saturday on the return to English football.

Thanks to a healthy start by both Merseyside outfits we have one of the most anticipated derbies happening this weekend at Goodison Park. A 7-2 battered Reds take on the most in-form Premier League side after four games, the Toffees.

The champions of England for the first time since the 2017/18 campaign have dropped points in their first four fixtures. Both Matchday 4 losses were almost identically embarrassing with them losing the 17/18 EPL clash 5-0 to Manchester City and this season’s 7-2 hammering to Aston Villa.

However, it must be said, Jurgen Klopp’s men endured one of the toughest starts of any top-six side and have fared fairly decent leading to their first loss of this run. They had a pair of top-six clashes back-to-back against Chelsea and Arsenal respectively, where they only conceded once and scored five.

Everton on the other hand, have enjoyed their best start to a Premier League run since early 1894. In fact, it is their best start since Ronald Koeman was in charge back in 2016/17, where they draw one and won three in their opening four games.

Everton’s next, the real test

The Toffees have been totally abysmal over the years in the Merseyside derby. Last season’s point is all they have to show for after meeting their closest foes three times across all competitions.

Klopp’s Reds have produced six goals in the last four league fixtures against Everton, all of them being at Anfield. Carlo Ancelotti’s men have only produced two goals in this meeting, coming up scoreless in three of these Blues vs. Reds encounters.

Everton vs. Liverpool last four EPL results

Everton 0-0 Liverpool [02 Dec 2018]
Liverpool 5-2 Everton [03 Mar 2019]
Everton 0-0 Liverpool [04 Dec 2019]
Liverpool 1-0 Everton [21 Jun 2020]

But what stands in their favour? The Reds have scored all these goals at Anfield and have struggled to find the back of the net at Goodison Park. Liverpool’s last Goodison goal came back in December 2017, where the duo shared the points in a 1-1 ball game.

Now after an international break, they must hope Dominic Calvert-Lewin and co are all still in fine form and ready to take on the challenge that is Liverpool. Talkin DCL, he is the most in-form striker today (Son of Spurs is close behind him). He has collected six PL goals and nine overall. He is key to their showing on Saturday afternoon.

Liverpool’s major boost

One of two sides could feature under Jurgen on Saturday. The one team who could take the pitch is a side still licking their wounds from their five-goal embarrassment via the hands of the Villains. Or… we could see an angry Liverpool who can only see red at the moment, and who are out for blood.

With this being said, it appears we could be gearing up for the latter. Why? Most of the heavyweights are back and ready for selection. Sadio Mane, Joel Matip, Jordan Henderson, and newcomer Thiago Alcântara were all absent for their hefty loss a couple of weeks ago.

Now they have all been reported to be healthy and fit for to make the Merseyside derby come Matchday 5 of the English Premier League. This gives them the motivation needed to overcome their dropped points.

Mane should feature along with Thiago. Matip, however, could only make the bench, as he tries to get match fit. He missed the season openers after being sidelined due to injury. Adding to the flurry of news, Naby Keita, who earlier in the week tested COVID positive, has now tested COVID negative following a second test.

He will join up with the rest of the squad at Melwood following the news but should undergo another test just to be sure. Third time lucky, they always say. The most important comeback is captain Jordan Henderson, who will also make a return to the starting XI.

All this favours Klopp and gives his side loads of confidence heading into their tricky tie. Hopefully, there will be a boatload of goals for us to witness. Praying for it to be more than just hype.

Who should Klopp start on Saturday when they take on Everton in the Merseyside derby?