Everton v Liverpool: Match Preview | OneFootball

A New Chapter in an Old Rivalry: Merseyside Derby Match Preview  

The Reds travel to the Hill Dickinson for the first time this Sunday in a Merseyside derby that is set up to be an absolute blockbuster. Arne Slot’s men will be hoping for a fast response following their Champions League exit midweek, a much-improved display than the one we saw in Paris the week prior. 

Slot said: “For those who watched the PSG game, the home one, fair to say the future does look bright, and we were able to have more ball possession than them. 21 shots, more possession, high xG against a team that has more ball possession.” 

He added, “They showed a lot of character against PSG. Being the better team vs PSG is very complicated, let alone after three games in seven days.” 

A controversial VAR decision was the key turning point. Liverpool had a penalty overturned, a call that has caused much controversy within the fanbase. Dembele’s double finished the tie, but the main headlines were taken by Hugo Ekitike. His Achilles tendon rupture has ruled him out for the next 6–9 months and has left the Reds with an unfit Alexander Isak as their only fit senior striker in the squad. 

The Liverpool manager praised the decision to sign two forwards this window: “It is a good thing we signed two, now it looks like a good idea. Now people are saying we should sign another in the summer.” 

All eyes turn now towards this weekend, a 14:00 kick-off on Sunday. Liverpool will be hoping to build on their recent 2–0 league win against Fulham last week.

Everton v Liverpool | Uncensored Match Build Up

Form Guide… 

Everton fans will be coming into this game with plenty of excitement, but their home form this season has not been what they would have been hoping for. Ranking 14th in the league for home form, the Toffees have only won six of their 16 games played at the Hill Dickinson this season. However, it seems Everton may have turned a corner, as they have won their two previous matches at Hill Dickinson, picking up wins against Burnley and Chelsea. 

David Moyes’s side have only picked up one defeat in their previous five games, which came against top-of-the-table Arsenal. Their star man at the moment seems to be Beto. The forward, whom they signed in 2023, has hit a purple patch of form, scoring three goals in their last two games and picking up an assist. 

Everton currently sit eighth in the standings, level on points with Brentford in seventh and only one point off Chelsea in sixth. They have European football in their sights, something they have not achieved in nine years. 

Speaking ahead of the derby, Arne Slot described the derby as a “very special game” when asked about the opposition. 

He added, “If it is the last one being played at the stadium and the first one that always makes it probably even more special if that’s even possible.” 

“Of course, they are in a very good place at the moment. It’s always special, but maybe you can add one or two per cent to it, because it’s now the first and last season, it was the last.” 

Everton is a side Slot has had some success against during his tenure at the club. In his three previous encounters, Slot’s side has won twice and drawn once. That crazy 2–2 draw at Goodison Park last year saw Slot get sent off in his first Merseyside derby. 

The reverse fixture was a joyful one for the Reds, a 2–1 victory, with Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike getting on the scoresheet. Arne Slot will be hoping his team can put in a similar display this time round. 

Victory for the away side would be vital in their push for Champions League qualification, with the extra spot being given to England from the UEFA coefficient ranking, meaning Liverpool sit in a Champions League position with a four-point advantage over Chelsea below in sixth. 

The Reds’ form in all competitions has been far from ideal, picking up one win in the previous five matches. Despite that, a dominant win over Fulham the previous weekend is a great platform to build on. 

Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah picked up the goals in that fixture and were both the most influential players on the pitch. Neither started the game against PSG on Tuesday.