Premier League: Liverpool vs Everton, 21.10.23

Date: Saturday October 21 – 12.30 BST
Location: Anfield, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Teams: Liverpool vs Everton

Check out the best betting sites for the Premier League to find the best place to make your picks.

Anfield hosts the 243rd Merseyside derby

As ever, there is local pride at stake in the Merseyside derby, however, it is a match which holds great significance at both ends of the Premier League table..

Liverpool

After a difficult campaign last season, Liverpool are looking to get back into the Champions League, and, hopefully, mount a convincing title challenge this time round. To their credit, they made a late run at the end of last season, which secured a Europa League place and brought them fairly close to a fourth place finish and, in terms of results, have continued where they left off.

Jurgen Klopp may have concerns that his team have gone behind several times this season, both domestically and in Europe. But they have shown the character to come back and get positive results and are sitting in fourth place in the Premier League. Other than a controversial defeat at in-form Tottenham, Klopp’s side are unbeaten this season. At Anfield they have recorded five wins from five in all competitions.

Andy Robertson is believed to have suffered a dislocated shoulder in Scotland’s Euro 2024 qualifying defeat to Spain last week, although an official diagnosis is yet to arrive. Kostas Tsimikas looks set to deputise for the derby at least. Thiago Alcantara (hip) is still out while Curtis Jones is suspended. Stefan Bajcetic’s calf problem may heal in time for him to make the bench.

Second-choice goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher (knee) is also sidelined, while attacking pair Cody Gakpo (knee) and Ben Doak (unspecified) face late fitness tests. Diogo Jota is back from a one-game suspension.

Everton

Everton will go into the derby buoyed by a 3-0 victory over Bournemouth just before the international break. It has been a difficult start to the season for the Toffees. Prior to the visit of the Cherries, Sean Dyche’s side were struggling to score at home. However, progress to the fourth round of the EFL Cup will have provided Everton with a boost and the Bournemouth victory may be a sign that they are heading in the right direction. Away from home it has been a real mixed bag for Everton. They came away from Brentford with an impressive win but lost to newly promoted Luton Town at Kenilworth Road. They suffered a heavy defeat at Villa Park and came away from Sheffield United with a point. Dyche will know that, all things being equal, his side will have to be on top of their game at Anfield if they are going to claim anything from the match.

Seamus Coleman (knee) and Dele Alli (groin) are still working their way back to full fitness, while Andre Gomes (calf) is uncertain at the time of writing.

Idrissa Gueye should be fit again after a heel problem, having played for Senegal during the international break.

Prediction

Form can go out of the window in a derby, however Liverpool, with only two defeats against Everton in the last 29 meetings between the two, are clear favourites. Given the nature of derbies, an Everton win is far from impossible and a draw would not be a major shock. However, Liverpool have started the season well and they should have too much for their neighbours. Home win.

At the time of writing BoyleSports are offering 1/3 for a Liverpool win, 13/2 for an Everton win and 9/2 for a draw.