Liverpool vs Everton

Stakes are high in one of the most highly anticipated Premier League fixtures as Anfield forms the backdrop for the 240th Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton.

Despite enjoying a stellar 13-match unbeaten Premier League streak (W11, D2), Liverpool cannot afford to take their foot off the gas as Manchester City’s 5-1 demolition of Watford extended the gap between the sides to four points. Coming into this matchday, the ‘Reds’ thrashed bitter rivals Manchester United 4-0 at Anfield, making it 11 consecutive home league victories, seven of which saw them score 3+ goals. Following an overwhelming 4-1 win in the reverse fixture at Goodison Park, Liverpool will be clear-cut favourites to complete their first Premier League double over Everton since 2016/17. Jurgen Klopp’s men have the recent H2H record firmly backing their status as pre-match favourites, as they’ve lost just one of their last 22 Premier League matches against old foes (W9, D12).

Equally desperate to capture all three points, albeit for different reasons, Everton head into proceedings having gone unbeaten in their last two Premier League outings (W1, D1) for the first time since October. The ‘Toffees’ claimed a 2-0 triumph in this exact fixture in 2020/21, yet they’ve failed to win back-to-back league matches at Anfield since 1986. It’s likely to stay that way, considering Frank Lampard’s men have racked up a league-low six points away from home this Premier League season (W1, D3, L11), with their last six league travels all yielding defeats. Moreover, Everton’s porous defence has conceded 2+ goals in each of those six reverses, which could induce significant problems against the most prolific Premier League attack. Away goals have been in short supply for Everton, as they’ve netted a measly average of 0.86 goals per Premier League trip this season.