The Merseyside Derby is one of the most anticipated games in the Premier league calendar and without a doubt one of the most heated derbies on the planet. It’s blue vs red as Everton host Liverpool on Monday night in a game where both teams will be desperate for all 3 points.
Everton have had a bit of a frustrating season so far with just 6 wins from their first 16 games. However, after their midweek win against Arsenal, they will be hoping to recreate an inspiring performance to dismantle Liverpool in a similar fashion. The Toffees have not lost in their last 5 home matches and have also not lost to Liverpool in their last 4 matches at Goodison Park. Ronald Koeman will be hoping that his on-form striker, Romelu Lukaku, can continue his impressive form of 9 goals this season with a few on Monday night. Besides Lukaku, Everton have not shown up with any real goal scorers this season with the next highest scorer being Seamus Coleman with 3 goals. Koeman’s men are going to need to fight hard to outscore Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool will head into this game comfortably sitting in 2
nd spot on the EPL log 6 points behind Chelsea. They have lost just twice this season including a 4-3 crumble against Bournemouth a few weeks back. Both of those losses have occurred on the road to arguably weak opponents (Burnley & Bournemouth) and it is certainly a tough ask for them to get a convincing result away to Everton. The Red’s strike force has been the most effective in the league this season with 40 goals to their name so far. They have, however, conceded 20 which is the most out of any of the top 7 teams and without the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge who are both out injured, they will need a real push to outscore their opponents. Klopp’s men will still be going into this game as odds-on favourites and after their 3-0 win on the road against Middlesbrough last week, will be confident that they still have a strong enough strike force to take the win.
Everton vs Liverpool Stats
- Everton haven't lost in any of their last 5 home matches.
- Romelu Lukaku is Everton's top scorer with 9 goals. Sadio Mane has scored 7 times for Liverpool.
- When playing at home, Everton have not lost to Liverpool in their last 4 encounters.
- Recent games have been marred by ill-discipline, and the fixture has seen 21 red cards in the Premier League - Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge is the leading scorer among current players with four goals; Everton's Romelu Lukaku is one behind on three goals.