The last ever Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park is due to kick-off at lunchtime as Everton host Liverpool.
However, a postponement may be in order. Storm Darragh, with winds up to 70 mph expected, is threatening to wreak havoc on the football schedule.
Everton enter the derby with the wind in their sails after they beat Wolves 4-0 on Wednesday night. Sean Dyche has no fresh injury concerns with Michael Keane potentially returning after being out with a ligament issue.
The Merseyside Derby… you just know we’re dusting this off 🤝🤪 pic.twitter.com/zruAKdTu0s
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) December 6, 2024
Liverpool dropped points in the league for only the third time in midweek as a late Fabian Schar equaliser saw the Reds draw 3-3 with Newcastle.
Alexis Mac Allister is suspended for the match after he picked up his fifth booking in the league this campaign. Federico Chiesa stepped up his recovery with a goal for the Liverpool u21 side and the Italian is close to being back along with Diogo Jota. However, Allison, Ibrahima Konate, and Conor Bradley are all unavailable for selection.
Everton vs Liverpool – Match preview and team news
Form
Everton: LDDLW
The Toffees achieved a crucial and resounding victory over Wolves which saw them go five points clear of the relegation zone.
After only scoring three goals in their previous seven matches, Everton were unlucky to only put four past Gary O’Neil’s side. During that spell, they had only collected three points on one occasion, when they overcame Ipswich in the middle of October.
Sean Dyche’s outfit physically and aerially dominated Wolves with all four goals coming from set-piece situations. Ashley Young became the oldest player to score a direct free-kick in Premier League history at 39 years and 148 days old when he bent an unstoppable strike past Jose Sa.
Merseyside derby this century:
49 PL meetings
25 Liverpool wins
5 Everton wins
Aggregate score: Liverpool 77-37 Everton. pic.twitter.com/erIWs3ymnb
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) December 6, 2024
Liverpool: WWWWD
Liverpool were minutes away from grinding out another three points on Wednesday night but were halted by a late Newcastle equaliser. A six-goal thriller at St. James’ Park saw the hosts take the lead twice before a Mohamed Salah brace turned the contest in Liverpool’s favour.
But a rare error from Caoimhin Kelleher saw the Irishman lose the flight of a stoppage-time free-kick and allowed Fabian Schar to bundle in the leveller. Their first dropped points in seven matches saw Chelsea and Arsenal close the gap to the league leaders to seven points.
The Reds are still unbeaten away from home this campaign and they’ll be looking to make amends after losing this fixture last season.
Last Meeting: Everton 2-0 Liverpool, Premier League, 24th April 2024.
Everton triumphed in a Merseyside derby at Goodison Park for the first time since 2010 back in April.
The hosts asserted themselves from the first whistle and were awarded a penalty in the sixth minute.
However, after a VAR check, the decision was reversed as Dominic Calvert-Lewin was offside before being fouled by Alisson.
The Toffees were undeterred and notched themselves in front just shy of the half-hour mark through Jarrad Branthwaite.
After Liverpool failed to clear their lines the ball bounced to the defender who squeezed a shot past Alisson and in off the post.
Jordan Pickford denied Luis Diaz with a smart stop to keep the scores level before Everton doubled their advantage after the interval.
Last season’s Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. Liverpool headed into the fixture looking to go joint-top with four matches remaining, but Everton had other ideas. pic.twitter.com/ceUvXguuFz
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 6, 2024
Dwight McNeil flighted a searching corner to the back post which found the unmarked Calvert-Lewin. Sean Dyche’s team held on to inflict defeat on Jurgen Klopp in his final-ever Merseyside Derby.
Predicted Lineups
Everton: Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Ndiaye, Gueye, Mangala, McNeil; Doucoure, Calvert-Lewin.
Liverpool: Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.
Who is the referee?
Michael Oliver will be the match official. He will be assisted by Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring while Tony Harrington will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Chris Kavanagh and he will be assisted by Eddie Smart.
What channel will Everton vs Liverpool be on?
The Merseyside derby will be shown on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate and Discovery+.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off at Goodison Park will be at 12:30 GMT on Saturday 7th December 2024.
Odds
Everton – 21/4
Draw – 7/2
Liverpool – 12/25
Read – 10 unforgettable Merseyside derby moments
See more – Five of the best – Merseyside Derby goals
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