Liverpool can guarantee they’ve the ultimate say within the last-ever Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on a night that might see Arne Slot‘s facet open up a nine-point hole on the prime.
Everton vs. Liverpool
Premier League (24) | Goodison Park)February 12, 2025 | 7.30pm (GMT)
There was a whole lot of combined response to Liverpool’s early exit from the FA Cup, with some bemoaning a missed alternative and others welcoming the essential relaxation durations that await.
It must be rapidly forgotten, nonetheless, as one of many hardest checks on the calendar has now lastly arrived. Right here’s all the pieces you might want to know forward of Wednesday’s 7.30pm kickoff.
1. Trent might return
Trent Alexander-Arnold could possibly be in competition to return from his thigh damage, with Arne Slot revealing his vice-captain was concerned in elements of coaching on Monday.
“Trent has finished elements of coaching classes with us. Not classes, a session yesterday,” he stated.
“So let’s see how he’s at present. He’ll practice hopefully with us once more and we’ve to resolve if we take him to the sport.”
Joe Gomez, in the meantime, has suffered an damage to the identical leg because the hamstring blow that stored him out of the matchday squad for 10 matches earlier this season.
The centre-back continues to be being assessed and, unsurprisingly, he is not going to be accessible for this fixture.
2. a hundred and twentieth and closing Goodison Park derby
There have been 119 derbies at Goodison throughout all competitions relationship again to 1894, and Wednesday would be the final as the 2 groups can’t meet once more outdoors the Premier League this season.
Extremely, they’ve every received 41 occasions towards the opposite at this floor with the remaining 37 video games all ending in a draw – 9 of them have been since 2012!
From Rush scored one, Rush scored two, Rush scored three and Rush scored 4 to winners after 90 minutes – Goodison has seen so much, and let’s hope Slot’s males can bid farewell in model!
3. Everton have accidents to contemplate
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Armando Broja, Dwight McNeil, Seamus Coleman and Youssef Chermiti are all unavailable for Everton.
A return for Vitalii Mykolenko, nonetheless, is anticipated after he missed his facet’s 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth with a calf damage. He returned to coaching on Tuesday and is more likely to be in competition.
Jack Harrison might return to their beginning lineup, he hasn’t scored or assisted this season, whereas Beto is anticipated to steer their line to supply a bodily presence towards Liverpool’s centre-backs.
Attainable Everton XI: Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison, Gueye, Garner, Doucoure, Ndiaye; Beto
4. 10 to return to Liverpool’s XI
After making 10 modifications for the FA Cup defeat over the weekend, we are able to count on to see all these not noted make a direct return.
Alexander-Arnold is contact and go to show his health and it could, subsequently, make extra sense to begin a completely match Conor Bradley at right-back.
Luis Diaz could possibly be the one participant to maintain his place, chosen forward of Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez – however it could be no shock if Slot opted for the Uruguayan after solely coming off the bench final trip.
Predicted LFC XI: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz
5. Lastly time to play the ‘sport in hand’
It looks like we’ve eternally been saying ‘Liverpool are six factors forward on the prime with a sport in hand’, or ‘Arsenal maintain the hole at six however have performed a sport extra’.
This match was initially scheduled for December 7 and greater than two months later the time has lastly come to see what buffer the Reds could have after 24 video games performed this season.
Right here’s hoping we’re saying it’s 9 earlier than Arsenal play once more on the weekend at Leicester.
6. Slot is aware of what he can count on from Merseyside derby
Talking on the eve of the match, Slot supplied an correct impression of the Merseyside derby forward of his first having watched again the assembly from final season (the much less we speak about that consequence the higher):
“I’ve seen the sport of final season, for instance, and I believe we have been fairly prepared as a result of after 10 minutes the referee blew his whistle 11 occasions, and 10 occasions in favour of Everton.
“The Liverpool gamers have been able to compete, however each time they touched them it was a free-kick!
“I assume our gamers are prepared for an additional battle tomorrow, for the straightforward purpose that they’ve been prepared the entire season and lots of of them are skilled.”
7. Moyes again within the Goodison dugout
The postponement of this fixture means as a substitute of going through Sean Dyche’s Everton, we are going to now meet David Moyes’ facet after he returned to the membership for a second time earlier this 12 months.
Predictably, they’ve had an upturn in kind with three successive league victories following on from a defeat in Moyes’ first sport again towards Aston Villa.
They have been knocked out of the FA Cup on Saturday by the hands of Bournemouth, however shall be so much more energizing regardless of their accidents having performed solely seven video games because the flip of the 12 months – Liverpool have, conversely, performed 11.
8. First of 5 video games in 15 days
Liverpool have an extremely busy schedule till the tip of the month, enjoying 5 Premier League video games in simply 15 days – speak about a major interval within the title race!
Slot’s facet will meet Everton (A), Wolves (H), Aston Villa (A), Man Metropolis (A) and Newcastle (H) between February 12 and February 26.
A minimum of most are heading into the run as contemporary as doable, with 12 senior gamers concerned not more than two occasions throughout the final 4 matches – hopefully it pays off.
Time to get extra factors on the board, Liverpool!
9. Michael Oliver with the whistle
Michael Oliver will take cost of the conflict. That is the third time he’ll oversee the Reds this season, following on from the defeat to Nottingham Forest and the draw to Man United.
Hopefully, it’s third time fortunate for a victory beneath his watch!
He shall be assisted by Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring, with Tony Harrington performing as fourth official. Chris Kavanagh, in the meantime, is taking over lead VAR duties.
10. How one can observe the derby with TIA!
Liverpool’s journey throughout Stanley Park shall be broadcast reside on TNT Sports activities 1 within the UK, protection will begin at 6.30pm forward of the 7.30pm kickoff – you’ll be able to reside stream with TNT Sports activities right here.
If you’re on the transfer or need biased commentary for the event, then our liveblog is the right alternative. Henry Jackson shall be conserving you entertained from 6.45pm.
Into these, Reds!!
