Merseyside Derby Preview: Liverpool Faces Everton In Crucial Clash At Anfield

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James Tarkowski's late volley stunned Liverpool in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park last February. The goal, timed at 97:07, was the second-latest Liverpool conceded in the Premier League since Opta started tracking such data in 2006-07. A Robin van Persie goal for Arsenal in April 2011 holds the record at 97:10.

The Merseyside derby is notorious for red cards, with more issued than any other Premier League fixture. Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure were sent off, along with Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff. Slot later admitted he should have kept his cool.

Everton are on a nine-game unbeaten run in the league, their longest since the 2016-17 season under Ronald Koeman. They last went longer without defeat in December 2013, with a 10-game streak. This is their longest unbeaten run before facing Liverpool since February 2010.

Liverpool have struggled recently, dropping out of the Champions League and losing to Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final. However, they remain top of the league and are eager to bounce back after a two-and-a-half-week break.

Anfield has been challenging for Everton, who have only avoided defeat in both league meetings with Liverpool once since the 2020-21 season. In that campaign, they drew 2-2 at Goodison Park and won 2-0 at Anfield.

In their most recent encounter, Everton had more shots (10 to six) and limited Liverpool to just 0.62 expected goals, their lowest xG total this season. Mohamed Salah seemed to secure victory before Tarkowski's dramatic equaliser.

Liverpool's Home Dominance

Liverpool have dominated recent home derbies against Everton, winning their last three by a 2-0 scoreline. They last won more consecutive home league derbies between 1990 and 1994 (five), though never without conceding.

Liverpool have lost just one of their last 24 Premier League home games against Everton (W14 D9), winning five of the last six at Anfield. A win would mark their 100th victory over Everton in English league history.

Moyes' Away Struggles

David Moyes has never won an away game against Liverpool in the Premier League, sharing this record with himself against Chelsea. He drew six of his first eleven visits to Anfield during his initial spell at Everton.

Moyes' team has shown resilience recently, with Jake O'Brien scoring late equalisers against Brentford and West Ham to maintain their unbeaten run.

Set-Piece Threats

Everton pose a significant threat from set-pieces, scoring 41% of their goals this season from non-penalty set plays—the highest ratio in the league. Beto scored from a quick free-kick in a draw at Goodison Park.

Liverpool have scored just 6% of their goals from non-penalty set plays this season—the lowest share in the competition—highlighting an area where they must improve against Everton's strengths.

Key Players: Salah vs Beto

Mohamed Salah has been involved in eight goals across his last seven Merseyside derbies (six goals, two assists). He aims to surpass Steven Gerrard's record of nine derby goals as he chases Premier League records.

Beto is likely to lead Everton's attack again due to injuries despite not scoring since February 22 against Manchester United. His finishing can be inconsistent but remains crucial for Everton's hopes at Anfield.