Liverpool and Everton will both be out for more than just bragging rights in the second Merseyside derby of the season this midweek.
The local rivals were involved in one of the Premier League games of the season during their final meeting at Goodison Park in February.
Liverpool looked on course to win the final Merseyside derby at Goodison after goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah.
Instead, James Tarkowski’s 98th-minute strike earned the home side a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw.
Tensions between the two clubs spilled over after the final whistle, with Arne Slot among four red cards shown in the aftermath.
Less than two months later, the Merseyside neighbours meet again, with Liverpool looking to take stock after the international break.
The Reds remain 12 points clear at the top of the table and can mark ever closer to the title with a victory over Everton.
Liverpool vs Everton: Moyes’s misery
The Toffees have been transformed under David Moyes since his return, and he’ll never have a better chance to end his Anfield curse.
Moyes has won none of his 19 Premier League away games against Liverpool, the joint-most any manager has faced an opponent on the road without a single victory in the competition (Moyes also 19 vs Chelsea).
As Everton boss, he drew six of his 11 league visits to Anfield (L5), including his last one in May 2013 (0-0).
However, Liverpool could be in a vulnerable state, having crashed out of the Champions League, lost the Carabao Cup final, and been beset by injuries and transfer speculation surrounding vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold.
- Mohamed Salah has been directly involved in eight goals in his last seven Premier League Merseyside derbies for Liverpool against Everton (6 goals, 2 assists), both scoring and assisting in this season’s reverse fixture at Goodison Park. The only players to score and assist in both of their Premier League matches against Everton in a single season are Chris Sutton in 1993-94 and Alan Shearer in 1994-95.
- Liverpool have won their last three Premier League home games against Everton, each by a 2-0 scoreline. They last won more consecutive home league Merseyside derbies between 1990 and 1994 (5), while they’ve never done so without conceding.
- Following a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park in the reverse fixture, Everton are looking to avoid defeat in both Premier League meetings with Liverpool for the first time since 2020-21, when they won 2-0 at Anfield after a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.
Liverpool vs Everton: Team news
Liverpool’s No.1 goalkeeper Alisson Becker is a doubt after he was sent home from international duty early through injury.
The Brazilian is still expected to start between the sticks, but Caoimhin Kelleher is waiting in the wings to deputise.
Ryan Gravenberch will be available despite also withdrawing from international early, but Joe Gomez and Alexander-Arnold are both sidelined.
Conor Bradley is closing in on his own comeback, which could see Jarell Quansah start at right-back.
Everton, meanwhile, have Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Dwight McNeil and Ilman Ndiaye all closing in on returns following their respective injuries.
The Toffees will be missing Vitalii Mykolenko, who sustained a thigh injury on international duty with Ukraine.
- Liverpool have lost just one of their last 24 Premier League home games against Everton (W14 D9), winning five of the last six at Anfield.
- 26 of the 65 Premier League meetings between Everton and Liverpool have been drawn, with only Chelsea vs Manchester United finishing level more often in the competition (27). Indeed, Everton have also have drawn more Premier League matches than any other side this season (13), including each of their last four in a row.
- Everton vs Liverpool has produced more red cards than any other fixture in Premier League history (25), with the Toffees’ 17 reds against the Reds also the most one team has against another in the competition. Abdoulaye Doucouré (Everton) and Curtis Jones (Liverpool) were both sent off late on in the reverse fixture in February.
Liverpool vs Everton: What has been said?
Everton manager Moyes hasn’t stepped foot in their new stadium and won’t until one thing in particular is completed.
Since Moyes returned to the club after 12 years away, the Toffees have lost just once in their last 10 Premier League fixtures and have moved 17 points clear of the relegation zone with nine games remaining.
Despite this, the Scot refuses to step foot at Bramley-Moore Dock until survival is a certainty.
“I’ve not been to the new stadium yet because I’m not going to go until I feel as if we are safe,” Moyes told talkSPORT’s Jim White.
“It looks a lot easier, the league table, than when I first came in. It’s a much better feeling than what I had when I arrived.
“But I have to say, we look as if we’re in a good position. It will be tough for a lot of teams below us to catch us.
“But we hope to try and keep winning and get ourselves into an even stronger position.”
- Liverpool have scored at least twice in 26 of their 29 Premier League games this season, including each of their last nine in a row, and their last 12 in a row at Anfield. Should they score twice here, they will be the first side in English top-flight history to score 2+ goals in as many as 27 of their opening 30 matches of a campaign, a record currently held by Everton in 1894-95 (26).
- Everton are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League games (W4 D5), last going longer without defeat in December 2013 under Roberto Martínez (10). Indeed, it’s the Toffees’ longest unbeaten run going into a league meeting with Liverpool since February 2010 (also 9), when they lost 1-0 at Anfield under David Moyes.
- Everton have scored 41% of their Premier League goals this season from non-penalty set-pieces (13/32), a league-high ratio. By contrast, Liverpool have scored the lowest share of their goals in the competition this season from non-penalty set plays at just 6% (4/69).
Liverpool vs Everton: How to follow
This Premier League clash will take place on Wednesday, April 2.
Kick-off at Anfield is scheduled for 8pm.
The Merseyside derby will be shown live on Sky Sports.
Sky customers can live stream this via the app using their mobile, tablet or computer devices.
You can also purchase a Sky Sports Day Pass from NowTV for £14.99, while highlights will be available on YouTube later in the evening.
Adrian Durham will also have updates from Anfield live on talkSPORT during our exclusive coverage of Brighton vs Aston Villa.
To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
Listen via the talkSPORT app here, or on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
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