Everton vs Liverpool Preview: Team News & Prediction
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It is the final ever Goodison Park Premier League Merseyside Derby with Sean Dyche and Everton under pressure but that pressure being eased in midweek up against Arne Slot’s league leading Liverpool.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 7th December, 2024: UK – 12:30pm / US ET – 7:30am / US PT – 4:30am
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – TNT Sports / US – Universo
Everton Preview: Toffees sticking around
Sean Dyche came into the week under enormous pressure with Everton’s dreadful run of form about to be followed up by a horror run of fixtures before the New Year with successive matches against Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and then Manchester City on Boxing Day but the Toffees have got themselves a desperately needed win just before that run begins.
They welcomed fellow strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers to Goodison Park on Wednesday and dispatched of Gary O’Neil’s side by four goals to nil with two goals in either half and two fairly harshly disallowed goals, too, in either half. A brace of own goals from Craig Dawson followed on from first-half strikes by Ashley Young and Orel Mangala.
Liverpool Preview: Rampant Reds bouncing back
Liverpool have been magnificent in their control and dominance of matches since the appointment of Arne Slot over the summer but the Reds did have their nine-point lead at the top-of-the-table shaved down to seven in midweek as they played out an extremely entertaining six-goal thriller with Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
In a topsy turvy clash, Liverpool fell behind before half-time via an excellent strike from Alexander Isak and were perhaps fortunate to only be one down at the break. Curtis Jones equalised in the second-half before Anthony Gordon re-established the Magpies’ lead. A Mohamed Salah brace saw the Reds ahead but Fabian Schar punished an error of judgement by Caoimhin Kelleher to snatch a point in the 90th minute for the hosts.
Everton Team News: Sticking with what worked
After finally getting a victory on the board, Everton will be keen to avoid changing a winning side with Dominic Calvert-Lewin in particular coming back into the eleven and enjoying a much-improved personal performance.
In his pre-match press conference, Sean Dyche has confirmed that centre-back Michael Keane is 'touch and go' for this weekend, whilst Youssef Chermiti is likely to remain sidelined alongside both Tim Iroegbunam and James Garner.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Mangala, Gueye; McNeil, Doucoure, Ndiaye; Calvert-Lewin
Unavailable: Alli (Injured), Garner (Injured), Iroegbunam (Injured)
Questionable: Chermiti (Fitness), Keane (Injured)
Liverpool Team News: Trent to return
With Arne Slot bemoaning having just five fit defenders for this busy winter schedule, he is keen on rotation and Trent Alexander-Arnold started on the bench against Newcastle before coming on and providing two assists. He is expected to return to the line-up at Goodison Park.
Caoimhin Kelleher will start this weekend despite Slot saying Alisson will be 'ready very soon', whilst Alexis Mac Allister picked up a fifth yellow card of the season in midweek and so is now missing through suspension.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Diaz
Unavailable: Bradley (Injured), Konate (Injured), Tsimikas (Injured), Mac Allister (Suspended)
Questionable: Alisson (Injured), Chiesa (Injured), Jota (Injured)
Everton vs Liverpool Prediction
Sean Dyche and his style of football means his sides tend to lack goals. He would and has lament the lack of attacking thrust due to the financial constraints but it does appear a bit deeper than that. That said, when effective, they are difficult to beat and pose a real threat from set-pieces. Liverpool have dealt with pretty much everything that has been thrown at them and now they have the emotional intensity of a farewell to this famous rivalry at Goodison. Everton will be intense and very much ‘up for it’ but a mature visiting side should still grind it out.
Everton vs Liverpool Tip: Liverpool to win & under 3.5 goals
