This one is a battle for bragging rights
A Merseyside derby is almost always a box-office affair. Last time these sides met Liverpool won by a single goal scored on the half hour. Before that, there was that final derby at Goodison Park, where Abdoulaye Doucoure scored a stoppage time equaliser, after Curtis Jones’ stoppage time winner had cancelled out James Tarkowski’s other stoppage time equaliser, and it ended in a melee and a sending-off party.
David Moyes should be given credit for how he has improved Everton. His second coming was questioned but he probably saved the Toffees from relegation last season, and this term they’ve won two and drawn one of their four played so far.
His decision to extract Jack Grealish from the Manchester City mire and hand him a role on Merseyside similar to the one he had played for Aston Villa was a laudable move. He’s had four assists in four played and should be vital if Everton are to get a result at Anfield.
It’s no small challenge. However, Liverpool are vulnerable. Stoppage time winners have disguised poor performances. All four of their Premier League games so far has seen them win late, five if you include the Champions League game against Atletico.
There was Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah delivering in quick succession to undo Bournemouth’s brilliant work, Rio Ngumoha’s late heart crusher at St James’ Park, Szoboszlai’s stunner against Arsenal, and then the kismet-delivered penalty dooming Burnley’s excellent work at Turf Moor to failure.
Liverpool may well shed that fallibility and kick into another gear this week, but no one can rattle the hive better than a local lover.
What’s your poison? Make mine an early kick-off derby, please.
Team News
Curtis Jones is fit again after a muscle injury kept him out of action for two games, and Alexander Isak finally made his debut against Atletico in midweek. Slot says he might play, but his assessment on Friday would determine that. The Swede is still not fully fit, and he certainly wouldn’t play a full game if he were to feature.
In the rival camp, Jarrad Branthwaite hasn’t featured due to a hamstring injury sustained in pre-season, and Vitalii Mykolenko has been kept out by a problem suffered since the international break.
Moyes was keeping his cards very close to his chest in his presser on Friday, but everyone else should be ready to play, and those two should not be completely ruled out.
Predicted Lineups
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Everton (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike,
Everton predicted lineup vs Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Garner, Gueye; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Beto
Date: Saturday, 20 September 2025
Kick-off Time: 12.30pm BST / 8.30am ET
Liverpool vs Everton Match Prediction
Liverpool 1-1 Everton
