Merseyside Derby Preview: Can Liverpool Edge Nearer to the Title?
Date: Wednesday, 2nd April 2025
Venue: Anfield
Kick-off: 20:00
After Liverpool’s Champions League exit by the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, the Reds should regroup and refocus on their major goal—securing a twentieth English league title. With 9 video games remaining and a 12-point lead on the high of the desk, the go to of Everton presents a chance to take one other decisive step towards Premier League glory.
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For his or her half, Everton arrive at Anfield in stable kind, unbeaten of their final 9 league outings. Below David Moyes, the Toffees have rediscovered defensive resilience, and regardless of 4 consecutive attracts, they are going to be decided to frustrate their metropolis rivals in one in all English soccer’s most fiercely contested fixtures.
Everton Availability
Everton supervisor David Moyes should navigate a number of damage considerations forward of the derby. Dominic Calvert-Lewin stays a significant doubt as a result of a thigh concern, whereas Iliman Ndiaye and Dwight McNeil are each sidelined. Vitalii Mykolenko suffered a thigh damage whereas on worldwide responsibility and is unlikely to function.
When it comes to current kind, Everton’s final outing noticed them draw 1-1 at residence to West Ham, extending their unbeaten run to 9 video games. Nonetheless, 4 consecutive attracts have prevented them from climbing larger than twelfth within the Premier League desk. Earlier than that, they secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory away at Crystal Palace and had been concerned in a dramatic 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest.
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Moyes is anticipated to stay along with his tried-and-tested 4-2-3-1 setup, with a deal with defensive group and counter-attacking by way of broad areas. With Calvert-Lewin probably absent, Beto is anticipated to guide the road.
Predicted Everton Lineup (4-2-3-1):
• GK: Jordan Pickford
• RB: Ashley Younger
• RCB: James Tarkowski
• LCB: Jarrad Branthwaite
• LB: Nathan Patterson
• CM: Idrissa Gueye
• CM: James Garner
• RW: Jack Harrison
• AM: Abdoulaye Doucouré
• LW: Alcaraz
• CF: Beto
Liverpool Availability
Liverpool faces some choice dilemmas heading into the derby. Trent Alexander-Arnold stays uncertain as a result of a thigh damage, whereas Ryan Gravenberch is dominated out. The most important concern, nonetheless, is goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who sustained a head damage whereas on worldwide responsibility with Brazil. If unavailable, Caoimhín Kelleher is anticipated to deputise. Each Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley have returned to their respective ranges of coaching, nonetheless, each seem unavailable for this derby.
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Regardless of the frustration in opposition to PSG, Liverpool’s league kind has been relentless. Their final Premier League outing noticed them safe a 3-1 win over Southampton, following a 1-0 away victory at PSG within the first leg of their European tie. Earlier than that, they recorded a 2-0 conquer Newcastle at Anfield. Sitting on the high of the desk with 70 factors from 29 video games, the Reds want simply 16 extra to mathematically safe the title.
Arne Slot is anticipated to call a powerful lineup, with Diogo Jota more likely to begin centrally after Darwin Núñez’s struggles in entrance of objective. If Conor Bradley can not return at right-back in Alexander-Arnold’s absence it could see Jarell Quansah begin, whereas the midfield trio of Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, and Curtis Jones can be tasked with controlling the tempo.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3):
• GK: Alisson Becker
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• RB: Jarell Quansah
• RCB: Ibrahima Konaté
• LCB: Virgil van Dijk (c)
• LB: Andy Robertson
• CM: Alexis Mac Allister
• ACM: Dominik Szoboszlai
• CM: Ryan Gravenberch
• RW: Mohamed Salah
• CF: Diogo Jota
• LW: Luis Díaz
How Will This Contest Play Out?
Liverpool are anticipated to take management of possession early, seeking to pin Everton again and exploit weaknesses down the flanks. The probably absence of Mykolenko at left-back may go away the Toffees weak, significantly in opposition to Salah’s motion and inevitable return to kind.
Everton, in the meantime, will set as much as frustrate their rivals, with a compact midfield designed to nullify Liverpool’s artistic threats. The bodily presence of Doucouré can be key within the battle in opposition to Mac Allister, whereas Beto’s position as a goal man can be essential in transitions.
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Participant to Watch: Mohamed Salah
Steven Smith’s Rating Prediction:
Liverpool 2 – 1 Everton