Premier League news: Liverpool vs Everton – Five key battles and score prediction
Everton travel to Anfield this weekend to face table-topping Liverpool in the latest edition of the Merseyside derby.
The 247th go-around of one of the country’s oldest rivalries will open Premier League matchweek five, with kick-off set for Saturday at 12:30pm (UK time).
In the blue corner, David Moyes’ side are looking to upset the odds and beat Liverpool on their own patch – a feat the club have only managed once this century.
Moyes’ charges have at least started the season positively, with just one defeat recorded so far in the league.
The Scotsman is yet to win at Anfield in his managerial career, though, and is likely aiming to put that right come Saturday.
Over in the red corner, Arne Slot’s team has won every game so far this term, including yet another late winner against Atlético Madrid in midweek Champions League action.
Slot will want to secure his second derby victory at Liverpool after the Reds won the corresponding fixture last season thanks to a goal from the late Diogo Jota.
Ahead of the game, Sports News Blitz writer Jon Shea examines five key battles and offers a score prediction.
Beto vs Virgil van Dijk
It was a tale of two matches for Beto in the Merseyside derbies last season.
He scored in the 2-2 draw at Goodison but had an unlucky time at Anfield, hitting the post and having a goal disallowed for a narrow offside.
The Guinea-Bissau international, who caused Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate problems in those match-ups, will look to be awkward and strong against one of the best defensive duos in the league.
He had a tough time against Aston Villa last time out, when his finishing ultimately let him down, and he will be hoping for better on Saturday afternoon.
Van Dijk, meanwhile, is fresh off scoring the stoppage-time winner against Atlético and is always a towering figure in the Liverpool backline, raising the level of everyone he plays with.
The Dutchman also has a history with Everton, from scoring on his Liverpool debut in 2018 to suffering a serious injury in 2020.
PL POWER RANKINGS: Premier League power rankings: Liverpool look like champions, Sunderland to survive and more
Jack Grealish vs Jeremie Frimpong
Jack Grealish has been a revelation for Everton since coming to the club and is likely to get his first taste of a Merseyside derby this weekend.
With four assists and an August Player of the Month award to his name, he has been nothing short of a creative spark for Unai Emery and company.
And considering that the two home full-backs are likely to leave a lot of space in behind, Grealish will be crucial to exploiting gaps and setting up attacks.
Jeremie Frimpong is likewise getting his first experience of a Merseyside derby.
As the definition of an attacking full-back, he sometimes finds himself higher up the pitch than Mohamed Salah – a risky attribute.
Although we are yet to see the best of the Dutch international under Arne Slot, he could get used to his surroundings at any moment.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Premier League betting tips: Merseyside red cards, Arsenal glory, Man Utd stuck in a World War II time warp, and more
Iliman Ndiaye vs Milos Kerkez
Iliman Ndiaye missed the majority of both derbies last term due to injury, and Moyes will hope that he makes it through this one as he could be the key to Everton’s success.
Ndiaye already has two goals this season and was a constant threat against Villa.
With Milos Kerkez having a difficult start to life in a Liverpool shirt, culminating in a tough outing at Burnley a week ago, Ndiaye could cause the full-back all kinds of problems.
After being booked for simulation early in the first half against the Bees, the Hungarian found himself benched before the interval for Andy Robertson, and Ndiaye will look to capitalise on such frailties.
READ NEXT: Premier League on Sky Sports: Arsenal vs Manchester City betting preview and tips
James Tarkowski vs Alexander Isak
Swedish international Alexander Isak is likely to make his first Premier League appearance for Liverpool since signing for a British-record transfer fee.
He started against Atlético in midweek and was brought off after an hour as he continues to return to match fitness.
Of course, Isak will aim to score on derby day and etch his name into both this fixture and the hearts of Liverpool supporters.
James Tarkowski, on the other hand, scored the dramatic late equaliser at Goodison Park last season after requiring some luck to stay on the pitch in the wake of a high tackle on Alexis Mac Allister.
He is up against a talented striker in Isak, yet has done well against the Swede in the past, who has only scored once against Everton.
With that said, it remains a very difficult task for any defender to deal with the Reds’ attacking prowess.
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: Premier League on Sky Sports: Man Utd vs Chelsea betting preview and tips
Vitali Mykolenko vs Mohammed Salah
Vitali Mykolenko has struggled for fitness in the early part of this season and was unavailable for Everton’s draw with Villa.
Moyes did not reveal any details on his progress during the press conference, but the Ukrainian will likely return to the starting XI and be tasked with dealing with Mohamed Salah.
Many have said that Salah has had a quiet start to the campaign, but he still manages to deliver when it matters and scored the winning penalty against Burnley last weekend.
Salah has a good derby record too, scoring eight goals against the Toffees – a record only bettered by Steven Gerrard, who has nine.
He is no stranger to big games on top of that and will not be bothered by having a quiet game if he can pop up and decide proceedings at the death, which he often does.
Summary
Everton have a wretched record at Anfield, but with some suspect defending from Liverpool in recent weeks, I think Moyes’ men can get a result.
Score prediction: Liverpool 1-1 Everton
READ MORE: Premier League on Sky Sports: AFC Bournemouth vs Newcastle United betting preview and tips
