After a forgettable March, Liverpool will look to kick off the new month on a winning note when they square off against arch rivals Everton at Anfield. The Reds were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain last month and that defeat was followed by another loss in the League Cup final against Newcastle.
Thankfully for LFC gaffer Arne Slot, March was a shorter month owing to the international break, and his side would’ve got an opportunity to recharge their batteries. Liverpool were also not in action in the FA Cup over the weekend, having also been knocked out of that competition by Plymouth in February, and that afforded the Reds some more rest.
The international break however did bring along some injury worries for the hosts- goalkeeper Alisson suffered a concussion on national duty with Brazil, while Netherlands midfielder Ryan Gravenberch withdrew from the Dutch Nations League quarterfinal against Spain as a precautionary measure.
This fixture might come too early for the duo and possibly even for defenders Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez. That might mean Jarrell Quansah continuing at right back. Trent Alexander Arnold is also injured, although the recent news of him possibly leaving for Real Madrid hasn’t gone down well with home fans.
Liverpool are strong favourites to take this clash at the tSB football betting website and for good reason- the Reds have an excellent home record against Everton, having lost just one of their last 24 league games at Anfield against the Toffees. The visitors are currently coached by David Moyes, who is also winless in his last 19 trips to Anfield as opposition manager.
The reverse fixture at Goodison Park in February was a feisty clash that ended in a 2-2 draw. James Tarkowski scored a dramatic 98th minute equaliser for the Toffees, and the fixture also saw Bradley and Abdoulaye Doucoure sent off in stoppage time for their respective teams.
Everton will be looking for an encore of the 20/21 season, when they drew 2-2 at Goodison and beat Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield. The Toffees have drawn their last four games in all competitions and are on a nine game unbeaten run under Moyes, their longest such streak since 2013 under Roberto Martinez.
Everton last five games (most recent first)
Everton 1-1 West Ham
Wolves 1-1 Everton
Brentford 1-1 Everton
Everton 2-2 Man United
Crystal Palace 1-2 Everton
Liverpool last five (most recent first)
Liverpool 1-2 Newcastle (Cup final)
Liverpool 0-1 PSG (UCL)
Liverpool 3-1 Southampton
PSG 0-1 Liverpool
Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle (League)
Technically speaking, there’s probably more riding on this clash for Liverpool than Everton- the latter are already practically safe from the drop, while the former are still involved in the title race and will be keen to ensure the losses to PSG & Newcastle were just a minor blip. But no Merseyside derby will ever be a gimme, and Moyes can make the title race interesting if his side can condemn LFC to a surprise defeat here.
Who is the ref for this one?
Sam Barrott is in charge of this derby. He’s refereed Liverpool thrice this season- two were league wins over Spurs (6-3) and Southampton (3-2), but he was also the man in the middle for the Plymouth FA Cup loss.
Everton have played only once under Barrott in 24/25 so far, and that resulted in a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa.