Starting XI Prediction: Everton vs Liverpool | OneFootball

Merseyside Derby Preview: Who Makes Liverpool’s Starting XI?

The Merseyside Derby returns Wednesday as Liverpool travel to Goodison Park to face Everton. With Liverpool eyeing the Premier League title and the Toffees eyeing Premier League survival – it’s potentially the biggest instalment of this historic fixture in a long time.

Jurgen Klopp’s men come into Wednesday’s game off the back of an impressive 3-1 away win at Fulham, hopefully ending their woeful run of form. However, Everton have also started to pick up points recently with wins against Burnley and Nottingham Forest.

That said, let’s look at who is likely to make Jurgen Klopp’s starting eleven for this crunch game…

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Liverpool’s Struggling Defence

Liverpool haven’t kept a single clean sheet in their last six Premier League games, with their most recent being in the 1-0 away win at Nottingham Forest at the start of March. Alisson Becker’s recent return will hopefully flip that run around, and he will start between the sticks on Wednesday.

Ibou Konate will likely return to the starting lineup alongside Virgil Van Dijk and will be tasked with the physical presence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson will likely keep their place in the full-back positions.

Verdict: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson

Macca’s Return

Alexis Mac Allister will likely return to Liverpool’s midfield for this game. Wataru Endo will keep his place at the base of the midfield, though, in an attempt to equal Everton’s physical presence in the middle of the park.

Jurgen Klopp will have to make a big decision about the third midfielder. Dominik Szoboszlai, Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones, and Ryan Gravenberch are all available for selection. Elliott is arguably in the best form of the three, but I think Klopp will lean towards Szoboszlai for his work rate and physicality.

Salah’s Shot at Redemption

Mohamed Salah will surely return to the starting lineup on Wednesday after being named on the bench against Fulham. Diogo Jota will drop out of the starting lineup after picking up a knock at the weekend.

Luis Diaz will likely remain in the side but return to his natural position on the left. That leaves Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo in the final attacking spots, and I think Klopp will opt for the Dutchman.

Gakpo has been in solid form recently and will probably be better suited to turning on Everton’s aggressive centre-backs and also getting the two wingers into the game more.

Verdict: Salah, Gakpo, Diaz

Starting XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk (C), Robertson, Endo, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Salah, Gakpo, Diaz

Bench: Kelleher, Quansah, Gomez, Tsimikas, Bajcetic, Jones, Gravenberch, Elliott, Nunez