Liverpool will entertain their Merseyside rivals, Everton at Anfield on Wednesday night hoping to pick up the win and stretch their eight-point lead over Leicester City at the top of the Premier League table. The Reds are in a great run of form this season but are in for a busy festive schedule this month. In contrast, the Toffees will come into this game hoping to put their wretched stretch of poor results behind them.
Talking Tactics
Jurgen Klopp is likely to stick with his favoured 4-3-3 formation, but he might change his team’s shape to a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-2 depending on the situation in the match. The European champions will look to dominate the ball in their own backyard so that they can create enough chances to see off Everton’s challenge on Wednesday.
Marco Silva will set-up up his side in a 3-4-3 formation with Djibril Sidibe and Lucas Digne operating as the full-backs. The Portuguese manager needs a miracle as his tactics do not seem to be working at the moment. However, the Toffees tend to get their act together for the Merseyside derbies so we can expect them to be put in another gritty defensive performance at Anfield with the hope of grabbing a goal on the counter.
Team News
Liverpool
Alisson Becker is suspended for the derby after he received a red card for intentionally handling the ball against Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend. Caoimhín Kelleher will be in a race against time to be fit for a place on the bench.
Liverpool Predicted XI
Adrian, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson, Milner, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Mane, Firmino, Salah
Everton
Both Fabian Delph and Theo Walcott are unlikely to recover in time for this clash in midweek. Beni Baningime is also a doubt for this game but might recover in time to secure a place on the bench.
Everton Predicted XI
Pickford, Sidibe, Holgate, Mina, Keane, Digne, Schneiderlin, Davies, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin, Iwobi
Key Men
Liverpool
Both Liverpool full-backs, Alexander-Arnold and Robertson, will once again share the creative workload in the opposition half. However, the dynamic duo will also need to be dominant defensively if they are to keep a clean sheet at home. Mohamed Salah will try to return to form following a string of underwhelming displays for the Reds in recent weeks.
Everton
Richarlison will be Everton’s most potent weapon going forward. The Brazilian attacker has to find a way to cause the home side a few problems on the counter. Both Digne and Sidibe will also be vital out on the wide areas as they will be tasked with the responsibility of stopping the Liverpool full-backs from getting forward.
Odds
The bookmakers have made Liverpool a heavy favourite to secure a win in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday after they were priced at 4/11. The draw is listed as 18/5 while the Toffees are 15/2 underdogs to emerge victorious at Anfield.
