By Daniel Feliciano

2nd Sep, 2022 | 4:40pm

Neal Maupay and Idrissa Gueye to start in Merseyside derby - Everton predicted XI v Liverpool

Everton host fierce rivals Liverpool at Goodison Park in the first Merseyside derby of the season, searching for their first win of the campaign.

Frank Lampard’s side have drawn each of their last three games, but now face a title chasing Liverpool side fresh off the back of two wins and the boss must find a way to stop their momentum and build some of his own.

But with new additions to his first team squad after a busy final week in the transfer window, how will the Toffees line up on Saturday lunchtime for the big game?

Jordan Pickford has had a fine season between the sticks so far and has maintained his number one position, so he will keep his starting spot for this game without a doubt.

Lampard opened the season up with a back five, however with injuries affecting the squad he is likely to stick his 4-3-3 formation from the draw with Leeds from the last game.

That should see Nathan Patterson continue as the right back following his impressive performances this season, meaning captain Seamus Coleman finds himself on the bench still while Vitalii Mykolenko will start at left-back ahead of summer signing Ruben Vinagre.

The club don’t have many options at centre-back because of injuries, so James Tarkowski and Conor Coady should be able to continue their partnership and use their experience to try and keep out the fearsome Liverpool attack.

The midfield is where the club managed to strengthen the most during the transfer window, and Lampard is likely to had Senegalese midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye a second debut after he secured a move from PSG back to Goodison on deadline day.

He can sit at the base of the midfield and support the blossoming partnership between fellow summer signing Amadou Onana and Alex Iwobi, who have supplied great energy and ability on the ball to help the areas of the pitch surrounding them.

In attack the fans are delighted that Anthony Gordon is still at the club after the Chelsea interest came to nothing, and he will look to make it three goals in three games from his favoured right wing position.

On the left will be Demarai Gray, who has excelled with regular game time and has proven to be a legitimate goalscoring threat with good finishing and movement as well as a growing partnership with Gordon that has made Everton look dangerous going forward.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin isn’t back in training just yet so will miss the game, but Neal Maupay will finally be able to make his debut after an FA issue meant he couldn’t be registered in time for the Leeds game.

His energy, pressing, hold up play and relentlessness will be key if Everton are to be successful and there is no better chance for him to make a great first impression.

Everton predicted XI v Liverpool: Pickford; Patterson, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Gueye, Onana, Iwobi; Gordon, Maupay, Gray.