Everton v Liverpool preview: Team news, head-to-head, line-ups, prediction
Everton will face Liverpool in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Wednesday.
It will be a momentous occasion for the Toffees as they face the Reds at home for the last time on 12 February before their move to Bramley-Moore Dock next season.
David Moyes has returned to the helm at the Blues after Sean Dyche’s dismissal, and the Scottish manager has been tasked with avoiding relegation this season.
While losing 2-0 to Bournemouth in the FA Cup on Saturday (8 February) wasn’t encouraging, the goal of the Merseyside outfit remains to retain their Premier League status.
Final Everton v Liverpool clash at Goodison Park
The Toffees have turned the tide in recent weeks and now find themselves out of imminent danger of dropping to the Championship.
Moyes’ arrival has buoyed the Blues, who have won three consecutive Premier League fixtures and are now nine points above 18th-place Leicester City.
On the other hand, Liverpool have established themselves as the favourites to win the English top flight in Arne Slot’s debut season.
The Dutch manager has surprised many with what the Reds have managed to do in the current campaign, but their loss to Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup on Sunday (9 February) shocked many.
Premier League form guide
Everton: WWWLL
Liverpool: WWWDD
Head-to-Head at Goodison Park
The Toffees won their previous Premier League fixture against the Reds 2-0 on 24 April 2024 and have lost only once in the last seven meetings.
Everton v Liverpool team news
Moyes will once again be without Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Armando Broja and Youssef Chermiti after their fitness issues.
Beto is the only fit natural striker in the squad, but it remains to be seen whether the Guinea-Bissau forward will start after an underwhelming display against Bournemouth.
Orel Mangala is a long-term absentee, but Carlos Alcaraz has already shown glimpses of his talent in Merseyside.
Vitalli Mykolenko’s situation also likely needs to be monitored.
As for Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold has missed recent games due to an injury, and it remains to be seen whether he will be fit enough to start at Goodison Park.
Joe Gomez returned to the starting lineup in the Plymouth loss after being sidelined for the last few weeks but was forced off early.
Predicted lineups
Everton: Pickford, O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Garner, Gueye, Alcaraz, Lindstrom, Ndiaye, Beto.
Liverpool: Alisson, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.
Score Prediction – Everton 1-0 Liverpool
Both teams are coming off a loss in the FA Cup, but their results in the Premier League have been perfect recently.
Considering the Toffees’ impressive home record against Liverpool, it wouldn’t be surprising if they kept a clean sheet with Jordan Pickford in goal.
Moyes has managed to bring some pattern to the Blues’ attacking play, and they have every opportunity to close the curtains on the final Merseyside derby at Goodison with a 1-0 win.