(Football news) Liverpool will travel to Goodison Park today to take on Everton in the first Merseyside derby of the 2022/23 season. The Toffees have failed to win any of their last five matches played but will aim to get the three points against their fierce rivals who secured back-to-back victories after a last minute goal against Newcastle United. Five points and 11 places already separate the two teams and the gap is expected to become wider as the season progresses.
Liverpool defeated Bournemouth 9-0 before finding a more difficult test in Newcastle United at Anfield where the visitors opened the scoring through Alexander Isak. However, Roberto Firmino equalised for the Reds followed by Fabio Carvalho scoring the winner with virtually the last kick of the match. Newcastle were understandably frustrated as the winner was scored in the 98th minute despite only five minutes being indicated on the added time board.
Jurgen Klopp will be concerned about Liverpool’s tendency to concede the first goal which has happened in eight of their last nine league games now. The club will also want to win their first away game this season, having taken only one point so far and failure to win today will be their longest winless run on the road since over a decade. Visits to Goodison Park have often resulted in both the sides sharing a point with eight out of their last 11 fixtures resulting in a draw.
In team news Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is a doubt due to a hamstring issue while new signing Arthur Melo has not received his international clearance and won’t feature in the match. The Reds have an injury crisis in midfield with the likes of Thiago Alcantara, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita also sidelined for the match. Darwin Nunez will be back in the team, having served his three game suspension but Klopp may opt to keep his new signing on the bench as Firmino is in good form. The likes of Ibrahima Konate, Calvin Ramsay and Caoimhin Kelleher are also out due to injuries while Diogo Jota has a small chance of featuring in the match.
As for Everton, Calvert Lewin will be unavailable for selection due to a knee injury while Yerry Mina, Ben Godfrey, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Mason Holgate and Andros Townsend are also absent. The Toffees have re-signed Idrissa Gueye while James Garner has joined from Manchester United for £15m. Both could be available for selection if the paperwork is completed on time. Neal Maupay is expected to feature this time around, having been ineligible to face Leeds due to his paperwork being denied. A low scoring draw is a likely result in this derby match.
Also read: Analysis of Real Madrid's business in the summer transfer window
