Liverpool and Everton go head to head at Anfield on Wednesday evening, so we simulated the game to predict what could happen
Comments
Sport
Liverpool's predicted XI vs Everton
Liverpool's predicted XI vs Everton(Image: EA Sports)
Everton will be looking to hand Liverpool a blow in their race for the title later tonight when the two sides meet at Anfield in the Premier League.
A bad week saw Liverpool knocked out of the Champions League and lose the Carabao Cup Final in the space of six days before the March international break, handing the Reds their first real run of poor results since the start of the season. On the other hand, Everton are nine unbeaten in the Premier League, with the Toffees entering the week closer to the Europan spots than the relegation zone.
Article continues below
Liverpool are still well clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table, but Everton will be desperate to deny their Merseyside rivals another victory in the league later today. The last meeting between the two saw James Tarkowski score in the 98th minute in a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park, with Curtis Jones, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Liverpool manager Arne Slot all being sent off after full-time.
READ MORE: David Moyes shares Iliman Ndiaye and Dwight McNeil injury latest in Everton fitness updateREAD MORE: Arne Slot shares Conor Bradley injury latest as Liverpool face Alisson and Ryan Gravenberch wait
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez are both ruled out of the clash at Anfield, and with Conor Bradley only just returning to training, Slot may not risk the defender and start Jarell Quansah at right-back once again. The derby will be too early for the likes of Iliman Ndiaye, Dwight McNeil and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, while Vitalii Mykolenko is a doubt after picking up a knock during the international break.
So, what could happen in the Merseyside derby later tonight? We used EA FC 25 to get a score prediction.
Liverpool vs Everton Premier League score predicted
To complete this simulation, we used EA FC 25 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We predict that Liverpool could line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their starting XI as follows: Alisson; Quansah, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Diaz.
We predict that Everton could set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Pickford; O'Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Young; Gueye, Garner; Lindstrom, Doucoure, Harrison; Beto.
Liverpool dominated the early stages at Anfield, with the Reds unfortunate not to be ahead as Cody Gakpo and Alexis Mac Allister both struck the woodwork in the opening 10 minutes. It was clear that Everton's game plan was to try and catch the hosts out on the break, and they did just that as they took the lead.
Abdoulaye Doucoure made it 1-0 to Everton
Abdoulaye Doucoure made it 1-0 to Everton(Image: EA Sports)
A high press from James Garner saw the midfielder dispossess Ryan Gravenberch in the Liverpool half, allowing Everton to push forward in numbers. Garner picked out Doucoure on the edge of the box, and his strike from distance took a wicked deflection off Virgil van Dijk before looking over Alisson and into the net.
Just nine minutes later, Van Dijk made up for his error at the back as he levelled the score, with the Reds' captain rising highest from a corner to head home at the near post. With momentum on their side, Liverpool started to push for a second, and just before half-time, Slot's side turned the game on its head to make it 2-1.
Mohamed Salah made it 2-1 to Liverpool
Mohamed Salah made it 2-1 to Liverpool(Image: EA Sports)
A fantastic turn from Gravenberch saw him skip past the Everton midfield on the halfway line, with the midfielder catching the visitors out and allowing Liverpool to hit Everton on the counterattack. The Dutchman picked out Salah's run through the middle, and after holding off Tarkowski, the Egyptian curled a shot into the bottom corner to put the Reds ahead.
Despite their dominance, Liverpool's evening wasn't being made easy by Everton, and in the 71st minute, Moyes' side drew level, with Beto flicking a free-kick through the legs of Alisson at the near post as the Reds failed to deal with Everton's physicality from set pieces once again.
A feisty final 10 minutes at Anfield saw Everton reduced to 10 men when Jack Harrison was sent off for a reckless challenge on Salah, and just minutes later Liverpool were given a red card of their own, with Mac Allister picking up a second yellow as he received his marching orders.
Neither side could find a winner, with another 2-2 draw taking place between the Merseyside rivals.
EA FC 25 predicted final score: Liverpool 2-2 Everton