After an outrageous night at Anfield on Wednesday, Liverpool travel across Stanley Park to take on Everton. The Blues are desperate for a derby win, but consistently poor performances in the big games means confidence going into the Derby is brittle at best.
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The Toffees come into this one needing to find some consistency – and fast. A massive injury list including James McCarthy, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Mason Holgate, Idrissa Gueye and Tom Davies leaves the Blues with a very light looking side.
The sheer volume of injuries will likely force them into a different kind of shape. While Gueye might make it the rest are more or less an excessive doubt. It makes the mental challenge of overcoming Liverpool a whole lot tougher when you factor in the need to make late changes. With so little in reserve, can Everton manage that?
Meanwhile, Liverpool are heavily sweating over the health of Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian is arguably the best player in the league this season, but a groin tweak could cause major issues for their season. The lack of Adam Lallana, Joel Matip, Ragnar Klavan and Joe Gomez means they are light in the middle and at the back, too.
We expect some major rotation from the Reds, with so many players out at present it makes sense. The likely absence of Emre Can and Mo Salah will make coming up with a team that can win the derby even harder for Jürgen Klopp.
Verdict
We think Liverpool will edge it. Everton will be up for it, especially at home. Sam Allardyce will be desperate for a major win before his likely departure in the summer, too. Liverpool, though, know a win here is vital and, despite potential rotation, should pick-up three points in the derby.