Liverpool are in Merseyside derby action this weekend as face Everton in Saturday’s Premier League clash at Goodison Park.
The Reds will go into the game on the back of a disappointing 3-3 draw at Newcastle United which saw the hosts equalise late on.
Meanwhile, the Toffees go into the derby in a confident mood thanks to their 4-0 hammering of Wolves on Wednesday night.
Paul Merson has predicted how Liverpool and Everton will fare in the derby as he criticised a decision Arne Slot made against Newcastle.
(THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool ...
Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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Paul Merson backs Liverpool to beat Everton as he questioned why Trent Alexander-Arnold was benched at Newcastle
Merson, writing on Sportskeeda, said he didn’t understand why Slot opted to leave Trent Alexander-Arnold out of the starting XI at St James’ Park.
The England international was superb when he came off the bench and provided two assists for Mohamed Salah to initially turn the game around.
BBC Sport pundit Pat Nevin also criticised Slot’s decision to leave Alexander-Arnold out of the Liverpool starting XI against Newcastle.
Merson speculated whether Slot was just resting Alexander-Arnold for the Everton game, but he still thought he should have started.
“I don’t understand why Slot did not play Trent Alexander-Arnold from the start though,” said Merson. “He showed his class after coming on.
“You could say the manager was protecting him for the Merseyside derby. But I think he should have been in the starting line-up.”
Merson then predicted the result, and he’s confident that Liverpool will have enough to get the better of Everton in a 2-0 win for the Reds.
“Everton must score first if they want to get a result in this game and the only way they can do that is through set-pieces in my opinion,” he said.
“I can’t see them troubling Liverpool otherwise and I expect the visitors to secure all three points at Goodison Park.”
Everton v Liverpool preliminary team news
Everton are set to be without the injured Tim Iroegbunam, James Garner and Youssef Chermiti for the Merseyside derby.
Meanwhile, Armando Broja made his Premier League debut for the Toffees against Wolves and could be involved again.
As for Liverpool, they will be without Alexis Mac Allister, who picked up a yellow card against Newcastle – his fifth of the season – and will be suspended.
Ibrahima Konate, Kostas Tsimikas and Conor Bradley are all injured and expected to miss out.
Meanwhile, Alisson Becker and Diogo Jota are working to build up their fitness levels and it shouldn’t be long until both are back.
Liverpool summer signing Federico Chiesa has been involved at Under-21 level as he looks to return to full fitness.
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