Everton vs Liverpool Preview: Team News & Prediction
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It is the first ever Merseyside Derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and it is a big one in the fight for UEFA Champions League qualification from the Premier League this season.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Telemundo
Everton preview: Toffees on the push
David Moyes and his Everton side are pushing for a top five finish as the Toffees begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting just a point behind Chelsea in sixth and five points behind their arch-rivals Liverpool in fifth.
The Toffees managed to snatch a point in a 2-2 draw with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium last weekend, with Everton fighting back twice and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scoring a second-half stoppage-time equaliser in that clash.
Liverpool preview: Under pressure Reds
Arne Slot, who won the Premier League title last season, does appear to be on the verge of departing the Reds this summer with many Liverpool fans in the stadium turning on the Dutchman after what has been a difficult campaign.
They were steadier and improved in midweek but remained some way off the standard that they should be at as Paris Saint-Germain won 2-0 at Anfield to complete a 4-0 aggregate win in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie.
Everton team news: Alcaraz back
It has been confirmed that Argentine attacking midfielder Carlos Alcaraz has returned to full fitness and will be available for this Merseyside Derby this weekend.
Jack Grealish is the only known injury issue with recent issues for James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite having returned to full fitness in recent weeks.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O'Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Branthwaite; Garner, Gueye; Armstrong, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye; Beto
Unavailable: Grealish (Injured)
Questionable:
Liverpool team news: Ekitike out
After being stretchered off against PSG, France international striker Hugo Ekitike is now sidelined for the rest of this season as he deals with an Achilles injury.
Alexander Isak is not believed to be ready to play a full 90 minutes but he may well start again this weekend, while Joe Gomez has been ruled out.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Jones, Wirtz; Isak
Unavailable: Alisson (Injured), Leoni (Injured), Gomez (Injured), Bradley (Injured), Endo (Injured), Bajcetic (Injured), Ekitike (Injured)
Questionable:
Everton vs Liverpool prediction
If Aston Villa were to go on and win the UEFA Europa League this season while remaining in the top five in the Premier League, sixth will get UEFA Champions League football. Even with that, though, Everton should realistically be targeting fifth spot and they can close the gap on Liverpool here. Everton have struggled at times at home this year but against a Liverpool side that appear so disjointed and lacking much motivation, backing a home win here would be the way to go.
Everton vs Liverpool tip: Everton to win
