Everton vs Liverpool predicted XIs: Confirmed team news and probable line-ups
Liverpool make the short trip to Goodison Park for Wednesday’s Merseyside derby knowing only wins will do now as they chase for the Premier League title alongside Arsenal and Manchester City.
And none of the trio can ill-afford any slip-ups with just under a month of the season remaining.
But there is still plenty to play for at the bottom of the table, too, with Everton inching their way to safety following a turbulent campaign in which they have been deducted eight points for financial irregularities.
The Toffees started the week five points clear of safety with five games remaining and could virtually seal their top-flight status with a victory over their illustrious neighbours.
However, they are underdogs for this contest and their record against the Reds is miserable having won just one of the last 29 Merseyside derbies in all competitions.
It promises to be a pulsating contest at Goodison Park with kick off scheduled for 8pm on Wednesday 23rd April, and it will be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event in the UK.
Beto blow not ideal for Everton
Everton put in a battling performance to beat fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest on Sunday, but the three points came at a cost as striker Beto was stretchered off late on in the contest following a nasty head injury.
The forward was taken off attached to an oxygen cylinder but appeared well enough to wave and gave a thumbs up to a concerned crowd who gave him a standing ovation as he left the field.
However, first-choice forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin started the crucial encounter and will lead the line once more against the Reds this week.
Star defender Jarrad Branthwaite also made a welcome return to action against Forest and he is likely to line up alongside James Tarkowski in Sean Dyche’s preferred formation of a back four.
Opposite number Jurgen Klopp made six changes for Liverpool’s successful trip to Fulham on Sunday in a bid to freshen up things, but he is likely to revert to his more tried and trusted starting 11 at Goodison Park.
That will see a return for leading scorer Mohamed Salah, while Dominic Soboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister will likely be restored to a three-man midfield also featuring Wataru Endo.
However, Diogo Jota made the most of his start at Craven Cottage with a match-winning goal, but the Portuguese forward will miss the next two weeks with a hip injury sustained in that match.
That could see Darwin Nunez restored to the starting line-up, although in-form forward Cody Gakpo is another option available to Klopp.
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Everton vs Liverpool team news
Everton forward Beto joins long-term absentees Lewis Dobbin, Dele Alli and Nathan Patterson on the sidelines.
Seamus Coleman remains a major doubt for this clash, but Branthwaite and Calvert-Lewin were both fit to face Forest from the start on Sunday and should continue against the Reds.
Klopp rang the changes for Sunday’s win at Craven Cottage but he is likely to restore his first-choice starting line-up at Goodison Park.
That should see returns for Soboszlai, Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah, and Nunez could benefit from Jota’s latest injury.
Joel Matip, Ben Doak, Thiago Alcantara and Conor Bradley are unlikely to feature again this season, while Stefan Bajcetic is still working his way back to fitness after a long-term injury.
Everton vs Liverpool predicted line-ups
Everton (4-1-4-1): Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Gueye; Harrison, Onana, Doucoure, McNeil; Calvert-Lewin.
Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
