It’s the big event this weekend as Liverpool return to the Premier League with the Merseyside derby on Saturday lunchtime.
Premier League (9) | Anfield
October 21, 2023 | 12:30 pm (Paris time)
The international break is over and the Red Devils will welcome 16th-placed neighbors Blue in what promises to be another fiery occasion at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will want to shake off two disappointing results before the break and rediscover their previous winning feeling.
Here are 10 things you need to know ahead of Liverpool vs Everton.
- Team News
The manager gave us scary news on Friday when he told us Andy Robertson would need surgery, meaning he could be out of action until 2024.
Cody Gakpo has a chance of being involved after training “once” with the squad, but Klopp insists we “will have to see” whether he is available.
Ben Doak is out of action with a “little muscle thing” while Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic remain sidelined.
2. Coote returns to using VAR
David Coote is the official in charge at Stockley Park after holding the same role in the 2-2 away draw in 2020.
This is the man who ‘forgot’ to check Jordan Pickford’s tackle on Van Dijk A red card in the match, it must be fun!
As for the on-field referee, that job has been assigned to Craig Pawson.
3. Everton football team news
Sean Dyche confirmed in his pre-match press conference that the Blues will be without long-term absentees Dele Alli, Seamus Coleman and Andre Gomes for the tournament.
He also added that he expected Idrissa Gana Gueye to return, with the Senegal international absent from Everton’s 3-0 win over Bournemouth before the break.
4. 243 and more
For some reason, the Merseyside derby is one of the few matches that always seems to be labeled with the number of times it takes place, and Saturday will see the 243rd edition of the competition.
During this period, the Red Devils won 98 times, lost 67 times and drew 77 times.
The first ‘unofficial’ meeting between the two sides took place just a year after Liverpool’s formation and, unsurprisingly, it ended in controversial circumstances.
You can learn more about this game here.
5. ANOTHER early start
Klopp’s protests earlier this season regarding the number of 12:30 matches scheduled for his team after the international break are unlikely to be heeded any time soon!
The Red Devils take on Everton at lunchtime on Saturday this weekend and have also been moved to the same position for the Man City clash after November’s international.
Liverpool have received this special card a lot more than double that of any other team in the tournament and will again face a further 48-hour delay for their South American players.
6. Everton Anfield Jacket
The coach didn’t get to do everything he wanted at Goodison Park in that match but he had a lot of fun when the Blues came to Anfield under his guidance.
Liverpool have won eight of the 10 meetings at Anfield between the two sides since Klopp took over in 2015, scoring 21 goals and conceding seven times in that time.
Everton ended their long wait for an away derby win in front of an empty stadium due to the coronavirus pandemic in 2021, but have not beaten the Red Devils in front of an Anfield crowd since 1999 .
7. Never Over Until It’s Over
Liverpool have recorded a remarkable five extra-time wins against Everton in the Premier League alone, more than any other team in the competition.
Ronny Rosenthal, Gary McAllister, Dirk Kuyt, Sadio Mane and Divock Origi all had the pleasure of sealing the Blues’ fate in the final seconds, no wonder they hated this match so much!
8. The Blues are still in trouble?
For the third season in a row, our green neighbors appear to be heading towards relegation.
Everton have been saved in the final weeks of the past two seasons, but another slow start after a good run has put them in danger once again.
The Red Devils have the chance to put those early problems to rest on Saturday, at the start of what looks to be a difficult run for Dyche’s side after the break.
9. Reluctant hero?
Alexis Mac Allister is yet to score for the Red Devils, but he has a surprisingly good scoring record against the Blues.
The World Cup winner has scored three goals in his last three matches against Everton and could join Dutch duo Van Dijk and Gakpo in the list of players who have opened their accounts at Liverpool in the Merseyside derby.
10. Follow us!
If you’re looking for like-minded information on what’s going on at Anfield this weekend, we’ve got you covered!
You can get live updates of the Merseyside derby on the This Is Anfield live blog, which will be live on our website 45 minutes before kick-off.
Another big game to get us back on track, ahead of the Reds!
