The Merseyside Derby is one of the most eagerly anticipated derbies worldwide and today’s clash could be one of the most exciting ones in years. Everton are currently sitting top of the Premier League table with 12 points from the 12 available and have looked unstoppable going forward, the only other unbeaten team is currently Aston Villa who have a game in hand but inflicted a frightening 7-2 win against reigning PL champions, Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool were on the end of that drubbing by Aston Villa and haven’t looked so easily exploited in years, the defensive line that has brought so much success looks to be finally showing it’s cracks and Alisson’s absence in goal was a clear problem too- he’s also missing for today. Fortunately, those three points were their first that they’ve dropped this season, the Reds have beaten Arsenal, Leeds and Chelsea already so that freak result could be brushed aside.
Mohamed Salah has continued the remarkable form he’s kept up for three campaigns now with 5 goals in his first 4 PL appearances this season, in his Liverpool career he’s played 9,378 PL minutes (roughly 104 games), he’s scored 78 goals and contributed a further 35 assists and the Egyptian doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Sadio Mane was diagnosed with COVID-19 on the 2nd of October which makes him available for today’s game after his 2-week quarantine and the Senegalese winger has bagged three in his three games so far too; they’re the two danger men as usual.
Liverpool also conceded a total of 33 PL goals last season and they’ve leaked 11 within their first four league games this time around, with the prowess of Everton at the minute- that’s a massive worry.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the name on English football fans lips due to the 23-year-old Englishman scoring 6 goals in his 4 league appearances so far, he’s also scored 10 in 7 across all competitions and scored on his England debut in mid-week. The only way is up for this seemingly natural goalscorer. James Rodriguez’ signing looked to be a gamble after years of injury woes since his outstanding 2014 World Cup, but has taken the league by storm with 3 goals and a couple of assists in his first four games for Everton, he was previously managed by Ancelotti at Real Madrid who really seems to get a fine tune out of the Colombian; he seems to be setting an early standard for the PFA player of the year award.
The glaring problem with Everton this season has been the 5 goals they’ve conceded so far. In their two home wins they scored 9 goals but also conceded 4 across their games against Brighton and West Brom. Brighton have started the season positively, but the goals conceded against West Brom simply must be looked at as a disappointment and an opportunity for Liverpool.
Lucas Digne, Yerri Mina, Andre Gomes, Seamus Coleman and most notably, Allan were all injury doubts but have all been cleared as fit to play which allows the Toffees a full squad to select from with the exception of Mason Holgate who is still side-lined. Alisson continues to be Liverpool’s main injury worry but Naby Keita (COVID-19) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) will not be in the squad either.
In recent times this fixture has been a snooze fest with the last three head to head’s at Goodison Park finishing 0-0, seven of the last eight there have also finished as a draw with six of them finishing with under 2.5 goals.
Everton have also won 7 straight games in a row; this is the first time they’ve done this since 1894! The Toffees haven’t beaten Liverpool in their last 22 meetings, but you’d have to look back EXACTLY 10 years to this day to find the last time they won against the Reds.
This game is a must-watch with the red-hot Everton side at the moment and the possibly vulnerable Liverpool but of course the Champions cannot be underestimated, if you were looking for a bet for the game- here is a couple of plays:
Dominic Calvert-Lewin to score, Mohamed Salah to score and full-time result DRAW 40/1 with bet365.
Dominic Calvert Lewin to score and both teams to score is 2/1 with bet365.
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