Anfield braces itself for another explosive Merseyside derby as Liverpool and Everton go toe-to-toe under the floodlights on Wednesday night. Just two months after their last clash, the fierce rivals meet again in a battle where history, pride, and precious Premier League points are all on the line.
This is a fixture drenched in drama, and no other Premier League showdown has seen more red cards—25 dismissals and counting. The Toffees have borne the brunt of it, their 17 red cards against Liverpool the most one team has received against another in the competition.
At the top of the table, the Reds are on a relentless march with 70 points, while Everton, sitting 15th with 34, are still looking over their shoulder.
This isn’t just a game. It’s a war.
Liverpool enter the Merseyside derby with a point to prove, still reeling from back-to-back heartbreaks—crashing out of the UEFA Champions League on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain and falling limply to Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final. But there's no time for self-pity. With the Premier League title race firmly in their hands and a 12-point lead over Arsenal, the Reds are poised to reignite their fire in front of a roaring Anfield.
However, challenges remain. The right-back position is a growing concern, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, and Conor Bradley all sidelined—leaving Arne Slot scrambling for solutions. Injuries also forced Ryan Gravenberch and Alisson out of international duty, though both are expected to be available.
Up front, Liverpool’s attacking trio has faced criticism, with Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, and Darwin Nunez all under the spotlight. But in a game of this magnitude, someone must rise to the occasion. Expect Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo to lead the charge, while Federico Chiesa—despite his cup-final heroics—may have to settle for a place on the bench.
The stage is set. The fight for Merseyside supremacy is about to begin.
LIVERPOOL predicted lineup vs EVERTON: Alisson (GK); Quansah, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Diaz, Gakpo.
David Moyes and Anfield—a story of heartbreak, frustration, and an unwanted record that refuses to be broken. The veteran manager has endured 19 fruitless Premier League trips to Liverpool, failing to claim a single victory—a statistic that haunts him like a specter. He shares this unwanted milestone with his misfortunes at Chelsea, but Anfield remains the ultimate fortress he's yet to conquer. His first spell at Everton saw him come agonizingly close, grinding out six draws in 11 visits, but the last time he set foot here with the Toffees in May 2013, it ended in yet another stalemate.
Everton, however, would love nothing more than to see that winless streak stretch to 20. Their last battle with Liverpool—a pulsating 2-2 draw—was a fitting farewell to Goodison Park’s derby days, as James Tarkowski’s dramatic 98th-minute volley sent the blue half of Merseyside into delirium. Now, they arrive at Anfield on the back of four consecutive draws against Manchester United, Brentford, Wolves, and West Ham, desperate to turn their resilience into something more than just shared points.
Injury woes have tormented Everton all season, but they are finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Iliman Ndiaye and Dwight McNeil are back in training, though neither will be risked here. That leaves Carlos Alcaraz, Jesper Lindstrom, and Jack Harrison vying for spots on the wings, while Abdoulaye Doucouré—sent off in the reverse fixture—should be raring to make amends in a central attacking role.
Vitalii Mykolenko is a doubt after a thigh injury on international duty, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains out, meaning Armando Broja—fresh off his Albania appearances—will battle Beto for the No.9 spot. Everton face an uphill battle at Anfield, but in a derby, anything can happen.
EVERTON predicted lineup vs LIVERPOOL: Pickford (GK); O'Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Young; Alcaraz, Gueye, Garner, Doucoure, Harrison; Beto.
Wednesday night’s showdown will be a test of Liverpool’s resilience. Can they shake off the sting of a gut-wrenching cup final defeat and Champions League heartbreak, or will Everton be the ones to twist the knife deeper? The Toffees would love nothing more than to pile onto their rival’s misery and leave Anfield with a historic scalp.
But Liverpool haven’t forgotten. The last derby at Goodison ended in frustration, a late equalizer denying them victory in their old enemy’s backyard. Now, under the lights at Anfield, they have the perfect stage for revenge. With the home crowd roaring them on and Everton still struggling with injuries, the Reds will be eager to make a statement.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Everton
