Liverpool hosts Everton at Anfield on Saturday in a clash that comes with plenty of narrative and intrigue. Softfootball understands that it’s not just any game but the 247th edition of the Merseyside Derby.
The EPL defending champions head into the fixture with a perfect Premier League record, while the Toffees are looking to upset their fierce rivals and improve their poor recent games.
Liverpool are arriving in strong form, having followed four straight league wins with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Remarkably, it was the fifth time this season they have required a decisive goal after the 83rd minute, with Virgil van Dijk scoring the stoppage-time winner on Arne Slot’s birthday.
Last week, it was Mohamed Salah’s last-minute penalty that secured a victory for Liverpool on Sunday. Here is the highlight of Liverpool’s game as revealed on their official X handle.
Here is the video:
The Reds have netted almost a third of all Premier League goals scored beyond the 90th minute this season, underlining their habit of late drama.
Everton, meanwhile, has shown signs of resilience. Wins against Brighton and Wolves were followed by a goalless draw with Aston Villa, where they registered 20 shots but lacked a finishing touch. David Moyes has seen his side keep four clean sheets in five matches, but their derby record remains dismal, with just two wins in the last 29 league meetings with Liverpool and none at Anfield for Moyes in 20 Premier League visits.
Still, Everton’s away form in 2025 offers some encouragement, with six wins from their last 11 league trips, matching the total of their previous 30 away fixtures combined.
Team news adds further spice. Liverpool are only without Curtis Jones, while record signing Alexander Isak could keep his place after making his full debut in midweek, though Hugo Ekitike is also pushing to start. Mohammed Salah, with eight derby goals to his name, remains a key threat and is closing in on Steven Gerrard’s all-time Premier League record in this fixture.
Slot may also consider restoring Alexis Mac Allister to midfield, while Andy Robertson competes with Milos Kerkez for the left-back role.
Everton remain without Jarrad Branthwaite, and Vitaliy Mykolenko is a doubt, forcing James Garner to deputize again at left-back. Moyes will lean on the experience of Tarkowski and Keane in defense, with Pickford behind them. In attack, Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye are expected to provide width alongside Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, while Moyes must decide between Beto and the still-goalless Thierno Barry as his centre-forward.
Possible lineups:
Liverpool: Alisson; Frimpong, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
Everton: Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Garner; Gueye, Iroegbunam; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Beto
Softfootball Prediction
Liverpool 2-0 Everton
