It's time for the 244th Merseyside derby, with Everton targeting back-to-back victories over Liverpool for the first time since 1985.
Everton vs Liverpool Preview
Can Everton claim a famous victory in, what's set to be, the last-ever Merseyside derby played at Goodison? The mood amongst Evertonians was not a positive one at 4pm last Sunday afternoon, given that they'd just seen their side get smashed 4-0 by Manchester United, meaning they were without a win in five, having failed to score in each of the last four. Thus, fair to say the Toffees' 4-0 demolition of Wolves on Wednesday was unexpected, to say the least, claiming their most-emphatic home league victory since April 2019.
Ashley Young curled home a gorgeous free-kick and Orel Mangala also scored a long-range screamer, before two own goals sealed the points, with the Blues actually finding the net on six occasions, twice thwarted by VAR, in one of the most one-sided matches you're ever likely to see. This propelled Sean Dyche's team five points clear of danger and up to 15th, alleviating some of the pressure from his shoulders, a particularly crucial victory given that their next four games are this derby, Arsenal (A), Chelsea (H) and Man City (A). So now, will the Goodison faithful be able to celebrate victory in the fixture they want to win more than any other?
Liverpool meantime saw their title aspirations go up in flames by virtue of a defeat at Goodison last April and, while it's far too earlier for the same to happen here, having dropped points on Wednesday, they'll be determined to get back to winning ways. In mid-week, the Reds failed to win for only the third time in 21 matches under Arne Slot, held to a 3-3 draw by Newcastle, following an end-to-end thriller on Tyneside. Having fallen behind twice, a late Mohamed Salah brace seemingly had the visitors set for victory at St James', only for Newcastle to scramble home a stoppage time equaliser, with Caoimhín Kelleher paying the price for a calamitous misjudgment.
This brought to an end Liverpool's four-game winning streak in the Premier League, allowing Chelsea and Arsenal to cut the gap at the top down to seven points albeit, if you'd have offered any Liverpool supporter this scenario before a ball was kicked, they'd have snatched your hand off. Prior last season's defeat, the Reds were unbeaten in 13 visits to Goodison, albeit nine of these fixtures had produced draws, and only three points will do for the away side come Saturday lunchtime.
Everton vs Liverpool Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 295.
- Everton Wins: 84. Draws: 86. Liverpool Wins: 125.
Everton Team News
Given how impressive his team were against Wolves, you'd have to imagine Sean Dyche will name an unchanged lineup here, if possible. The tweek he made ahead of that one saw Orel Mangala return to midfield, allowing Abdoulaye Doucouré to be deployed further-forward, a position in which he has thrived in the past. Forgotten man Armando Broja came off the bench for his debut in mid-week (bet you didn't know he was at Everton), while Tim Iroegbunam and Youssef Chermiti remain sidelined.
Everton predicted lineup vs Liverpool: (4-5-1): Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Gana Gueye, Mangala, Doucouré, McNeil, Ndiaye; Calvert-Lewin.
Everton Player to Watch vs Liverpool
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was on target during April's derby victory, meaning he has now scored in both of his last two appearances against Liverpool at Goodison, so can he keep the streak going?
Liverpool Team News
Alexis Mac Allister's yellow card on Wednesday means he is suspended; Ryan Gravenberch would sit out next weekend's clash with Fulham if booked here. In the absence of the Argentine, Dominik Szoboszlai will return to midfield while, elsewhere, Alisson, Ibrahima Konaté, Kostas Tsimikas, Conor Bradley, Federico Chiesa and Diogo Jota are out injured. Trent Alexander-Arnold was only fit enough to feature off the bench on Tyneside, but will surely return in place of Jarell Quansah here. Darwin Núñez got the nod up front against Newcastle, but Luis Díaz could lead the attack this time.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Everton: (4-3-3): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Gakpo, Luis Díaz.
Liverpool Player to Watch vs Everton
Mohamed Salah's double on Wednesday took his tally to 15 goals for the season already, while the Egyptian has seven Merseyside derby goals to his name, only six men have more, albeit he's got a long way to go to equal Dixie Dean's record.
Everton vs Liverpool Prediction
We're forecasting a battling Liverpool victory. Despite their goal-spree against Wolves, Everton generally lack quality at both ends of the field, so we're expecting Arne Slot's team to be simply too strong at Goodison even if, on derby day, you just never know: Everton 0-2 Liverpool.
Everton vs Liverpool FAQs - Premier League
How to watch Everton vs Liverpool Premier League game on TV channel?
Everton vs Liverpool Premier League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 1 & Ultimate
- USA: fuboTV, NBC, Telemundo & Deportes En Vivo
- Canada: Fubo Sports Network Canada
How to watch Everton vs Liverpool Premier League game on live streaming?
Everton vs Liverpool Premier League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Discovery+
- USA: fuboTV, nbcsports.com, USA Network, Telemundo & SiriusXM FC
- Canada: fuboTV Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Everton vs Liverpool in the Premier League?
Everton vs Liverpool takes place on Saturday 7 December 2024, with kick off at 12:30 (GMT), 7:30 (EDT) & 4:30 (PST).