Liverpool welcome Everton to Anfield in a crunch Merseyside derby in Monday Night Football.
Victory would see Liverpool return to ninth in the table, whilst Everton can climb out of the relegation zone with a win.
Team News
Diogo Jota could return for Liverpool after recovering from a calf injury which has kept him sidelined since October.
Fabinho (illness) is set to be in contention but Thiago Alcantara (hip), Virgil Van Dijk (hamstring) and Roberto Firmino (calf) are doubts.
Ibrahima Konate (muscle), Arthur Melo (thigh) and Luis Diaz (knee) remain absent.
Everton could be without Dominic Calvert-Lewin after the forward suffered a recurrence of his hamstring injury during last weekend’s win against Arsenal.
James Garner (back) is a doubt and could face a late fitness test as he looks to make his first appearance since November.
Nathan Patterson (medial ligament), Michael Keane and Andros Townsend (both knee) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Liverpool host Everton at Anfield on Monday 13 February in a 8pm GMT kick-off, live on Sky Sports in UK.
Stat Attack
- Liverpool have lost just one of their last six meetings against Everton (W2, D3, L1).
- Everton have won just one of their last five visits to Anfield (W1, D1, L3).
- Liverpool are looking to keep three consecutive clean sheets against Everton for the first time since April 2018 – March 2019.
- Anything other than a win would see Liverpool suffer five consecutive league games without victory for the first time since December 2020 – January 2021.
- Everton have kept just one clean sheet in 10 league matches away from home this season, which came in a goalless draw at Fulham in October.
Prediction
After a “frustrating” defeat at Wolves last weekend where their defence was shambolic at times on top of a wasteful attack which lacked much end product, Liverpool simply need to deliver a huge step forward if they’re not to avoid further embarrassment here.
Jota though could just be the missing ingredient that Jurgen Klopp’s Reds need to get their attack back into gear, yet I do hope that his return is still carefully handled because they can’t afford for him to aggravate his calf injury again otherwise a top-four finish will be a miracle.
Everton meanwhile come into this game off the back of a morale-boosting win over Arsenal with some excellent defending despite lacking the final touch in open play, but did look seriously dangerous at set pieces which will be a huge concern for Klopp’s Reds.
Clean sheets though has been an issue for Everton this season especially on the road, so I don’t expect a goalless draw but unless Liverpool step up their attacking quality, a score draw could be a fair bet.
Prediction: Liverpool 1-1 Everton
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