LIVERPOOL PREDICTED XI: EVERTON (H)

Andrew Corns
Dec 2, 2018
4 min read

Liverpool enter the Merseyside derby after a disappointing European night in Paris and needing all three points to keep pace with Manchester City at the top of the table.

Jurgen Klopp reverted to his 4-3-3 on Wednesday and it’s up for debate whether he’ll stick with that system since his players are more comfortable playing it or experiment with the 4-2-3-1.

GK – Alisson Becker

Even though Liverpool weren’t at their best against PSG, Alisson was the shining light and easily Man of the Match, coming up with several key saves to keep them in the game.

His first Merseyside derby will be another good test for him with Richarlison specifically capable of testing him anywhere near the box.

LB – Andy Robertson

Liverpool play eight times in December, so you can expect Robertson to get some rest and Alberto Moreno to be rotated in at least once or twice.

This isn’t the match for that though and I would put money on that happening next Wednesday when they welcome Burnley to Anfield.

CB – Virgil van Dijk

You’ll hear a theme over the next month where lineup changes will start taking place regularly due to the demands of the holiday period scheduling and Klopp’s willingness to rotate his side.

Virgil came up large in his first derby last season scoring a memorable header and he’ll be looking to rebound after the defeat in Paris.

CB – Joe Gomez

Gomez has served the club well with his versatility playing centrally or on the right, but most will agree his preferred position long-term is partnered centrally with van Dijk.

He’s another who will probably see a rest in his future in the next match or two with Klopp having Lovren, Matip and Clyne as options.

RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent didn’t feature against PSG, probably due to concerns he might struggle going against Neymar and Mbappe.

Hindsight is typically 20/20, but it was probably an error on Klopp’s part with Liverpool desperately needing Alexander-Arnold’s delivery out wide and set piece abilities.

He’s the type (being Liverpool born) that’ll get up for the derby and would love to grab another goal if a free kick opportunity arises near Everton’s goal.

MF – James Milner

With Jordan Henderson suspended, Liverpool need an experienced and level-head in the middle of the park for such an intense atmosphere.

It may depend on what system Klopp goes with, but it’s hard for me to pick a side that doesn’t include Milner when the stakes are this high.

He’ll bring physicality, energy and determination while doing all the dirty work to allow Liverpool’s attacking players license to roam forward.

MF – Fabinho

It’s a toss-up, for me, between Fabinho or Wijnaldum in the holding midfield role. I’d give Gini a rest after looking leggy in Paris and this is the perfect match for Fabinho to show his quality and endear himself to the Liverpool faithful, some of which have already questioned his price tag and place in the squad.

I’m not in that crowd and think once he’s fully up to speed with Klopp’s style and the rigors of the league, he’ll be an immense force in Liverpool’s midfield further solidifying their ever-improving defensive structure.

MF – Naby Keita

It didn’t take long for Keita to come on against PSG and make an immediate impact. Klopp went with an industrious midfield of Milner, Henderson and Wijnaldum to start, but after realising a change was needing once they were chasing the game, Keita made perfect sense to bring on.

He’s got brilliant vision and is always willing to push forward to create chances. The only worry is he can occasionally be lax on the ball and too nonchalant for his own good.

Just like Fabinho, this is an ideal chance for Keita to win over any Reds supporters on the fence over his signing. I look for this to be his coming out party.

FW – Sadio Mane

Liverpool’s offence is still scoring goals, but not at the rate they were towards the end of last season.

It’s hard to pinpoint what isn’t clicking for the front three, but collectively they look less interested in being ruthless in front of net.

Sadio’s been their best attacking option the last two competitive matches. We all know he’s a streaky player and when he’s on form, he normally scores in bunches.

I’ve got him marked down as the man most likely to grab the winner with Everton’s attention, like most other clubs, focused primary on Salah.

FW – Roberto Firmino

Bobby Firmino’s relative dip in form this season I think is more to do with adapting to a new role at times over diminishing skill.

He’s trying to relearn the number ten role in Klopp’s 4-2-3-1 system where he’s called upon more to pick up the ball deeper than he’d like.

This also negates his ability to hound central defenders with his all-energy pressing game. Returning to his more comfortable position will see him rejuvenated and if Liverpool’s front three can sync-up, it might be a night where all three find the back of the net.

FW – Mohamed Salah

Is anyone else tired of the narrative that Mo Salah is having a down year? There was no way he was going to live up to the numbers he scored last season and that’s perfectly acceptable.

He’s still got a great scoring record this season and there’s no doubt opposing defenders are playing tighter to him and with much more contact and aggression.

Salah’s done fine up top in the nine, but I much prefer him on the right to utilize his pace against fullbacks in space.

A return to his more comfortable and natural position will see him terrorize Lucas Digne down the wing.