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da stake casino： Everton host Liverpool at Goodison Park this weekend where they will be hoping to dent their bitter rivals’ title hopes at the second time of asking. For the Reds, meanwhile, the clash is more than just a derby – they will surely be desperate to secure all three points in what is the first of many must-win games to come in the next couple of months if they are to bring the title to Merseyside.
Both sides head into the game off the back of big statement results – Everton made light work of Cardiff, winning 3-0, while Liverpool’s 5-0 demolition of Watford at Anfield saw the Reds return to their sparkling best after bore draws against Manchester United and Bayern.
The Toffees’ victory over Cardiff will have been met with enormous relief by Marco Silva; questions have been asked of his management style in recent weeks due to the nature of some of the losses the Goodison Park outfit have suffered and, should Liverpool tear them apart, the pressure will surely mount again.
Jurgen Klopp, meanwhile, has also begun to show signs of frustration as we enter the final stretch of the season. The clash is a huge one for the German and he will be hoping it is much more of a straight-forward affair than the narrow victory gained last time the two sides met.
Here’s everything you need to know before the 4:15pm kick-off…
What history tells us
Over the course of the Premier League era, the pendulum has often swung heavily in Liverpool’s favour – the Reds have over twice as many wins as their bitter rivals in this fixture and the Toffees haven’t emerged victorious since 2010.
There is no such home advantage for Silva’s side either, as Everton have a measly 17% win record at Goodison Park, although they should feel optimistic about keeping out their visitors, having kept 16 clean sheets against the league leaders.
If their midweek mauling of the Hornets is anything to go by, though, Liverpool won’t have any such troubles finding a way through their opposition.
Key battle – Richarlison vs Sadio Mane
Richarlison’s stellar first season in the Premier League earned him a move to Everton in the summer and the Brazilian was expected to bring some much-needed flair to the Everton flanks – alas, the lack of a prolific striker initially saw the star deployed up front.
Largely playing out of his natural position, the former Watford man has bagged 10 goals and chalked an assist this season; he hasn’t found the net since the end of January but that isn’t for the want of trying, having taken 2.4 shots on goal per game.
In recent weeks, though, Silva has restored the 21-year-old on the left-wing and he is a rare outlet of true quality for the Toffees – no doubt his pace and skill will be vital if the home side are to break down Liverpool.
Luckily for Liverpool, they have both of the aforementioned attributes in abundance and in-form Sadio Mane will undoubtedly be a threat to the Toffees’ back-line, whether he plays in his natural wing role or as a centre-forward, as he did against Watford.
The Senegalese has recorded 14 goals and an assist this season, while also edging out his Everton counterpart in shots, dribbles and key passes per game. His first goal against the Hornets showed he is a threat in the air, too, and this will add to Liverpool’s avenues of attack on Sunday.
Ref in Focus – Martin Atkinson
Having been a referee in the Premier League since 2005, Martin Atkinson has a wealth of experience. With thousands of eyes on the man in the middle every week, there is never a good time for a referee to be on the fence but, ranked with the others, Atkinson is neither harsh nor lenient in his officiating.
Out of 18 Premier League referees, the 47-year-old was 7th for both fouls per tackle and yellow cards per game heading into the weekend – this apparent balance between letting the play go on and stopping it when things get a tad too fiery will be crucial in one of the top flight’s most hot-tempered games.
There is more bad news for Evertonians, though – Atkinson’s home win bias is just 32% so, if anything, it seems he will be more likely to lean towards the visitors.
Team news
Everton have come through the congested run of fixtures almost completely unscathed, with veteran defender Leighton Baines the only absence through injury.
Phil Jagielka’s lack of athleticism is the price you pay for unparalleled experience and, unfortunately, none of Silva’s centre-back options offer both.
Idrissa Gueye’s bite in midfield will be essential, although we’re tipping him to be partnered by Andre Gomes this time in the only change from the side that beat Cardiff. Lucas Digne and Gylfi Sigurdsson, meanwhile, will provide ample balls into the box for the likes of Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin to feed off of.
Sigurdsson netted twice versus the Bluebirds while youngster Calvert-Lewin struck in the dying minutes to wrap up the points – both will be hoping that they can carry that form into the Merseyside derby.
Meanwhile, Jordan Pickford, of course, continues in net and will be desperate to offer his side a far more assured pair of hands than those which cost them in the final moments of the 1-0 loss the last time these rivals met.
The injury-hit Reds are boosted by the possible return of Roberto Firmino – the former Hoffenheim man missed the midweek clash due to an injury sustained in the stalemate with Manchester United at the weekend. Despite his goal and overall impressive performance against Watford on Wednesday, we think that Divock Origi will give way for Firmino, with two-goal Mane returning to his wide berth – the only change we’re anticipating.
Fabinho is a strong contender for the Reds’ player of the month and seems to get better week after week – he’s been immense at the base of midfield and is surely one of the first names on the team-sheet for Klopp.
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Nothing needs to be said about Virgil van Dijk being given the nod, but Joel Matip has impressed in the absence of both Joe Gomez and Dejan Lovren, the latter of which will surely struggle to oust the Cameroonian once he returns to fitness.