The pressure is on Liverpool to respond in Merseyside Derby

All eyes will be on Liverpool to see how they respond when they take on Everton in the Merseyside Derby at Anfield on Monday night.

The Reds have endured a nightmare season so far and their poor form has continued since the return of domestic action following the mid-season World Cup. Liverpool have crashed out of the FA Cup and are yet to win a Premier League game in 2023 having picked up just one point from their four games, with the solitary point coming with a 0-0 draw at home to Chelsea.

They’ve suffered three painful defeats on the road recently having lost 3-1 at Brentford, 3-0 at Brighton and another 3-0 defeat away to Wolves last weekend. The disastrous run has left Liverpool languishing way down in 10th position in the Premier League table, a full 11 points off fourth-placed Newcastle United with a game in hand.

Liverpool have a huge game coming up against high-flying Newcastle at St James’ Park next weekend before the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Real Madrid. They also have a massive clash with arch rivals Manchester United on the horizon. So the pressure is on Jurgen Klopp to get their season back on track when they welcome rivals Everton to Anfield on Monday night.

A few weeks ago this may have been a relatively ‘easy’ game on paper as the Toffees have also endured a tough season. However, Sean Dyche has replaced Frank Lampard at the helm and there is now a renewed belief at Goodison Park that Everton can drag themselves away from the relegation zone.

An impressive 1-0 win over Arsenal in Dyche’s first game in charge last weekend has moved the Toffees up to 18th. James Tarkwoski scored the winner to secure a vital win for a much-improved Everton side and they are now just one point behind 17th-placed West Ham. A win at Anfield could see Everton move level on points with 14-placed Leicester City if other results go their way this weekend, so Dyche will be desperate to come away with a positive result against Liverpool to build some momentum.

How to watch

Despite their woeful form this season, Liverpool continue to have the backing of their passionate supporters and Anfield is certain to be sold out on Monday night. Therefore, getting hold of lfc tickets for this game is going to be tricky. All the official channels to buy tickets are likely to be sold out well in advance but you may have more luck if you try a reputable ticket reselling site.

Also, for those who aren’t fortunate enough to have a ticket to attend the game in person, subscribers to Sky Sports will be able to watch all the action as it happens as it will be broadcast live on Sky Sports 1, kicking off at 8pm.

Team news

Liverpool have been plagued by a spate of untimely injuries throughout the season and it’s no doubt had a huge impact on their performances. Unfortunayley for Klopp, his injury concerns have gotten even worse as Thiago Alcantara has been forced to miss training this week due to a hip problem. The Spaniard will be given a late fitness test to see if he’ll be able to feature against Everton.

Diogo Jota has been on the sidelines in recent months with a niggling calf injury but he’s back in full training last week. The Portuguese international will also be handed a late fitness test before his availability is known but Klopp will pray Joto can at least play some part, even if it’s off the bench.

Virgil van Dijk has been a huge miss in recent weeks as the Dutch international has been nursing a thigh injury. He’s back in light training but the Everton game is expected to come too soon so he’ll remain on the sidelines on Monday night. Roberto Firmino has stepped up his recovery from a calf injury as he’s back in training so he could return to the squad – although a place on the bench is probably the best he can hope for as Klopp won’t want to take any risks.

Ibrahima Konate is certain to miss out for Liverpool as he’s still recovering from a thigh injury that’s likely to keep him out until the end of the month. Arthur Melo will be given a late fitness tests as he looks to return from a long-term thigh injury but he’s not likely to feature against Everton. Luis Diaz is also still working his way back from a serious knee injury but Fabinho is expected to return from illness.

As for Everton, they have some injury problems to contend with as well. Andros Townsend is out with a knee injury while Nathan Patterson is also not ready to return having only just returned to light training following a knee injury. Michael Keane is out with his own knee complaint and Dominic Calvert Lewin is a doubt with a thigh injury. James Garner will also have a late fitness test on a back problem.

Line-ups

Liverpool aren’t expected to make too many changes, if any, from the side that lost at Wolves as none of their injured players are likely to be fit to start. Everton could also stick with the same starting eleven that beat Arsenal last time out. Here are the expected line-up:

Liverpool: Alisson, Trent, Matip, Gomez, Robertson, Fabinho, Thiago, Keita, Salah, Nunez, Gakpo

Everton: Pickford, Coleman, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, McNeil, Doucoure, Gueye, Onana, Iwobi, Calvert-Lewin

Prediction

This is going to be a fascinating game between two sides who’ve struggled for consistency all season. Liverpool are in a real mess and aren’t playing well, but you can’t help but think they are too good a side and their form has to improve eventually. A home Merseyside derby is a great opportunity for the players to raise their level and get a much needed win under their belt.

On the flip side, this is a bad time to be playing Everton as they look rejuvenated under Dyche. They were well organised against Arsenal and were a real threat from set pieces, so Liverpool shouldn’t underestimate them on Monday.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Everton grind out a 1-1 draw but we’re backing Liverpool to dig deep to edge a narrow 2-1 victory at Anfield. Mohamed Salah has been nowhere near his usual level this season and has struggled in front of goal, but this is a great game for him to get his campaign up and running and we wouldn’t be shocked so see the Egyptian international on the score-sheet. Liverpool 2-1 Everton