Liverpool v Everton Match Preview – Premier League, 10th December 2017

Liverpool v Everton Preview

Everton have endured an incredibly frustrating season so far but there is finally hope that things may be on the up having recently recorded back to back league victories. First was the emphatic 4-0 win over West Ham although it must be pointed out that the Hammers missed a penalty at a crucial moment in the match. Things were far less frantic during the 2-0 win over Huddersfield which followed just a few days later. Although the match was fairly short on quality, Everton got the job done without any real scares and claimed what was just their third league clean sheet of the season.

You can hardly say we’ve seen enough from the Toffees to think that a surge up the table is imminent but they certainly looked to have stopped the rot. Goals have been coming to them more easily in recent weeks and youngster Dominic Calvert-Lewis has caught the eye with his performances. He got the nod as lone striker against Huddersfield and repaid his new manager’s faith with a goal and an assist. Defensively, despite the recent clean sheets, you still have to ask serious questions about the Everton defence. Ashley Williams looks a real liability in what is an aging and injury hit Everton backline.

Liverpool with all their attacking talents should relish playing a defence that has shipped 28 league goals already this year. Jurgen Klopp’s side have been finding the back of the net with ease just lately, converting 19 times in their last six Premier League clashes. The sensational Mohamed Salah has played a part in many of these and the Egyptian should be a huge threat once again here. Defensively the Reds are still prone to the odd collapse as we saw last month against Seville but such instances always come away from home. At Anfield, Klopp’s men tend to be very assured and it’s a place where they’ve let in just two league goals this season

Relevant Stats, Injuries and Suspensions

Part of Everton’s struggles this season have been down to their rather long injury list. Ramiro Funes Mori, Yannick Bolasie, Seamus Coleman and Ross Barkley would all be regular picks for the Toffees but their respective injuries have prevent them playing a single minute this season. Returns are not too far away now for the latter three but none will be back in time for Sunday. Set to join them on the sidelines is left-back Leighton Baines who is suffering from a calf problem and the perennially injured Irish midfielder James McCarthy.

Liverpool on the other hand are left with almost a full strength side to choose from. The only two notable absentees they have are Nathaniel Clyne and Joel Matip. Clyne has been missing all season and while a big loss, Liverpool have coped well without him. Matip’s thigh problem is quite a recent development although it’s thought to be minor enough that he stands a chance of playing on Sunday. Having the Cameroonian fit would be a huge boost for Klopp as he’s been the most impressive Liverpool centre half this season.

Liverpool v Everton Tips

The Reds have impressed regularly at Anfield this season and they are up against an Everton side with issue that a new manager cannot fix immediately. The Toffees have been very poor on their travels and their depleted backline looks set to be opened up by a very much in-form Liverpool attack. The hosts are poor value for the win at just 1/3 but with a -1 handicap they are well worth backing at 5/6 with Betfair. Another bet to strongly consider is Liverpool to be winning at half-time and full-time at 10/11 with Ladbrokes. The Reds have frequently been quick out of the blocks lately, being ahead at the break in four of their last five league games.