The Toffees have been revolutionised since David Moyes made his triumphant return. They have won three out of four league games, moving themselves into relative comfort in lower mid-table after being mired in a relegation battle for the entire season beforehand. The vibe has completely changed at the club. The players and the fans are now looking forward to bigger and better things and the spectre of going down seems to be extinguished. Everton will be very confident going into this derby.
Neutrals keep waiting for Liverpool to slip up and make the Premier League title race interesting but Arne Slot's team, while they haven't been as spectacular as some other previous title-winning teams, are hyper-dependable and keep on rolling. The Reds' shock 1-0 FA Cup defeat away at Championship basement side Plymouth Argyle has stripped away any hopes of a quadruple, four wins on the bounce in the Premier League leave them six points clear of Arsenal at the top as they go into this, their game in hand on Arteta's side.
Everton vs Liverpool Team News
The hosts are making do without several key players including Dwight McNeil, who had surgery on his knee last month, and target man Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Youssef Chermiti and Armando Broja are also in the treatment room. Vitalii Mykolenko is 50/50 for this one as he recovers from a calf strain.
Defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez are both doubtful for this one, but the former could come back into the side and replace Conor Bradley.
Everton vs Liverpool Possible Lineups
Moyes will likely stick with the same men who have been helping him deal with the absence of Calvert-Lewin and Dwight McNeil as Beto and Jack Harrison continue to deputize in the forward line.
Everton Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O'Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Young; Gueye, Garner; Harrison, Doucoure, N'Diaye; Beto
Liverpool's B-team cost them a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup in that humbling defeat at Home Park but Arne Slot will revert to his first choice X1 for this one.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz; Jota
Everton vs Liverpool Prediction
The league leaders are sure to have their dip at some point, and off the back of a rather embarrassing loss to lowly Plymouth, a Merseyside derby against a rejuvenated Everton is not ideal. There is every chance that Everton can take a point from their city rivals in this one.
Prediction: Everton 1 - 1 Liverpool
On a night focused on UEFA Champions League playoff games, any other Premier League tie could get lost in the shuffle, but not this one. A Merseyside derby between champions-elect Liverpool and a reborn Everton with David Moyes at the helm should have all the makings of a fantastic midweek Premier League game.
Fans in the UK can watch Everton vs Liverpool on TV and via live stream on TNT Sports.
