Liverpool will play against Everton at Anfield in the Merseyside derby today, with both team looking to cash in on the win by their Premier League rivals. The two Merseyside outfits will be keen to get a win here to ensure the qualification in the next round.
In the meantime Barcelona received a huge boost in the winter transfer window as Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp stated that he had been unsure about whether Philippe Coutinho’s stay at the Merseyside club during the winter transfer window. However, the Brazilian seemed to be content with life at Anfield and was seemingly finding his way back to form.
The La Liga giants came knocking thrice on Liverpool’s front door inquiring about the ‘little magician’ but the Merseyside club was adamant that they were unwilling to sell their star midfielder.
It seems like it’s quite clear, Klopp is not too worried about the transfer speculation regarding Liverpool’s talisman and has mentioned that Liverpool are not a ‘selling club’. But it could also be possible that the German boss might not want to make a big deal about what happened in the past. Barcelona made three bids, each bigger than the previous one, to lure Philippe Coutinho to the Nou Camp but failed to acquire their prime target, with the latest offer reaching close to £120m.
Team News :
Liverpool :
Alberto Moreno is going to be doubtful in this match against Everton. Otherwise, Klopp will have the full squad in his hand to play. Mignolet will start in Liverpool Goal against Everton in the Merseyside derby while Gomez, Lovren, Klavan and Milner are expected to start against Everton while Coutinho, Can and Wijnaldum will be in the midfield for Liverpool. Mane, Salah and Solanke will start in the attacking line for Liverpool in this Merseyside Derby.
Everton :
Everton Manager Sam Allardyce do not have any injury problem in the match against Liverpool. In this match, Pickford will start in Everton Goal while Kenny, Holgate, Williams and Martina will be there in the defense for the Toffees. Gueye, Lennon and Davies will play in the midfield while Rooney, Sigurdsson and Calvert-Lewin will be leading the Everton lineup from the upfront.
Predicted First Eleven :
Liverpool : (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper : Mignolet.
Defenders : Gomez, Lovren, Klavan, Robertson.
Midfielders : Milner, Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain,
Attackers : Mane, Salah, Solanke.
Everton : (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper : Pickford.
Defenders : Kenny, Holgate, Williams,Martina
Midfielders : Gueye, Lennon, Davies.
Attackers : Rooney, Sigurdsson, Calvert-Lewin.
My Score Prediction :
Liverpool 3-0 Everton.
The home side will surely have the advantage going into this one, though games are not won on paper and will have to put in a solid performance on the night. However, with Klopp’s tactics right through the season, the Reds should have a major advantage over their domestic rivals and things could get quite interesting in this fixture. A home game generally favours the hosts, though a match is not won till the final whistle is blown. Hopefully, things do work out for Liverpool, who will try their best to keep the momentum despite some major changes.
