Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining
Sports Mole for today's Merseyside showdown between
Liverpool and Everton at Anfield!
There is more than just bragging rights up for grabs this afternoon, with Liverpool bidding to strengthen their top-four hopes and Everton aiming to maintain their 100% record under new boss Sam Allardyce. The Toffees have a woeful record against their nearest neighbours in recent years, though, so will have to upset the odds if they are to get anything out of this game today.
Before we take a closer look at all that, let's first check out the very interesting team news...
LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Mignolet; Gomez, Lovren, Klavan, Robertson; Henderson, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Mane, Salah, Solanke
LIVERPOOL SUBS: Karius, Wijnaldum, Firmino, Coutinho, Can, Ings, Alexander-Arnold
EVERTON STARTING XI: Pickford; Kenny, Holgate, Williams, Martina; Calvert-Lewin, Rooney, Gueye, Davies, Sigurdsson; Niasse
EVERTON SUBS: Robles, Schneiderlin, Keane, Jagielka, Lennon, Vlasic, Lookman
Well, well, well - what can we make of those two teams then?!
We have to start with Liverpool, and a surprise team selection from manager Jurgen Klopp as a number of big names miss out on the starting lineup. The German has rotated in recent weeks, and in fairness to him it has worked well so far, but it is a shock to see him continue that for the derby having played all of his big-hitters in midweek.
Firmino, Coutinho, Can and Wijnaldum all only make the bench this afternoon as Klopp makes six changes from the team that thrashed Spartak Moscow.
Coutinho's exclusion is perhaps the biggest surprise, with the Brazilian having netted his first career hat-trick in midweek and also directly contributing to 12 goals in his last 11 league games, scoring seven and assisting five.
Firmino was also on the scoresheet on Wednesday night as that front four ripped Spartak to shreds, but Klopp has made the decision to drop half of them back to the bench today. That will be a controversial decision if Liverpool do not go on to win this match.
Liverpool do still have plenty of attacking threat in their starting lineup, though, most notably
Mohamed Salah who has now scored 18 goals in just 23 games for the Reds across all competitions - more than any other Premier League players and already more than any Liverpool player has managed in an entire season since Luis Suarez left the club.
Salah goal in midweek means that he how has 12 in his last 11 outings for the club across all competitions, while in the Premier League along he has had a direct hand in a club-record 15 goals from his first 15 games in a Liverpool shirt.
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Dominic Solanke is among those to be handed a surprise start up front - ahead of Firmino and Sturridge, the latter of whom does not even make the squad, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also comes into the side.
Milner will start in central midfield alongside recalled captain Jordan Henderson, while Andrew Robertson is handed a rare start at left-back due to an injury for Moreno which could keep him sidelined for up to six weeks. There is also a return for Simon Mignolet between the sticks after he made way for Karius in the Champions League.
It is not what Everton would have been expecting, but their own lineup is a lot more predictable with only one change from the victory over Huddersfield Town last weekend.
Sam Allardyce was able to rest all his main men when he made 11 changes for the Europa League dead rubber against Apollon on Thursday, and sure enough he recalls them all today. Phil Jagielka is also among those to be back available, but he must make do with a place on the bench alongside fellow centre-back Michael Keane.
Allardyce has instead decided to keep faith with the backline that kept Huddersfield at bay last weekend as Kenny, Holgate, Williams and Martina make up the defensive quartet - not exactly a defence which will strike fear into opposition attacks but one that proved effective against the Terriers.
There are plenty of big names on the bench despite that relatively inexperienced defence, with the likes of Schneiderlin and Lennon joining Jagielka and Keane amongst the subs.
The only change from the win over Huddersfield sees Lennon drop out of the side as Oumar Niasse returns, which should also see Dominic Calvert-Lewin play in a slightly wider role as Niasse leads the line.
The teamsheet suggests that it will again be a 4-5-1 formation, with Gueye sitting slightly deeper than his fellow midfielders and the main attacking midfield threat expected to come from Davies, Rooney and Sigurdsson.
This will be Rooney's first taste of the Merseyside derby for almost 14 years, but he is no stranger to huge matches at Anfield having spent the intervening years with Manchester United in an even more intense rivalry.
The veteran has failed to score in his previous four Merseyside derbies and only has two Premier League goals at Anfield throughout his illustrious career, although they were both winning goals for United in January 2005 and January 2016.
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Sam Allardyce backed Rooney to be key in any positive result Everton might achieve today, but even with his experience the Toffees will go into this match as major underdogs given Liverpool's recent form.
The home side's team selection may just have given Everton a bit more belief going into the game, but they will know that it will take a disciplined defensive performance to avoid defeat this afternoon, with Liverpool flying following their 7-0 win over Spartak Moscow on Wednesday night.
That 7-0 victory saw the Reds set a new record for the number of goals scored by an English club in a Champions League group stage, and it also took their tally of goals up to 40 in their last 11 matches in all competitions - just under four per game.
The goalscoring rate has only accelerated in recent weeks too, with Liverpool's ongoing three-match winning streak seeing them plunder 15 goals at an average of five per game.
Liverpool's unbeaten run now stretches back nine matches, including seven victories, and another win here would see them climb above champions Chelsea into third place.
Indeed, it could prove to be a very good weekend for Jurgen Klopp's side if they beat their Merseyside rivals, with Chelsea have already lost, Arsenal currently losing to Southampton and at least one of the Manchester clubs guaranteed to drop points in their own derby later this afternoon.
It wasn't too long ago that Liverpool looked the least likely to secure a place in the top four, dropping down to seventh at one stage, but they have picked up 16 points from the last 18 on offer in the Premier League to get their challenge back on track following a run of only one win in six before that.
What's more, the Reds have scored 19 goals during that six-game run - an average of more than three per game - and only the two Manchester clubs have found the back of the net more often this season.
While the attacking side of Liverpool continues to delight, plenty has been made of the much-maligned defensive aspect of their performances, with no team having conceded more in the top seven ahead of this weekend.
Indeed, Liverpool's tally of 19 goals conceded is more than struggling Swansea City, but only two of those goals have been let in here at Anfield. It is away from home where Liverpool's major defensive problems lie, but in front of their own fans they have actually been good at the back on the domestic front.
Indeed, in all competitions Liverpool have kept five clean sheets and conceded just one goal in their last home games, and that solitary goal was a freak one from Willian in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea too.
Liverpool have now kept seven home clean sheets in all competitions at Anfield this season compared to just two away, although in the league their goalscoring has suffered a little in front of their own fans as a result, with 'only' 13 goals scored compared to 20 away from home.
Liverpool are one of only three teams yet to be beaten at home in the Premier League this season, alongside the Manchester clubs, and in all competitions they are now 13 games without defeat here at Anfield.
However, their last home defeat was masterminded by Sam Allardyce when his Crystal Palace side won 2-1 in April, with the now-Everton boss the only visiting manager to come away from Anfield with victory in the league since January - a run of 16 matches.
Allardyce will be hoping for a repeat of that feat this afternoon and will be buoyed by the fact that Liverpool have won just one of their five matches directly after a Champions League tie this season, but despite that April victory his own record here at Anfield is not great.
The win with Palace was his first at the stadium in the Premier League, having drawn three and lost 10 of his previous 13 visits to the red half of Merseyside.
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Victory today would certainly do wonders to endear Allardyce to the Everton fans nice and early, although it is fair to say that not all of the supporters have been fully convinced by the former England manager's appointment.
There was no doubt that the Toffees' search for Ronald Koeman's replacement was turning into a bit of a farce by the time they eventually appointed Allardyce - having already failed with one approach for him earlier in their search - but their have been questions over whether his playing style and football philosophy is suitable for a club like Everton and the players at his disposal.
It is impossible to argue with the results since his arrival, though, with Everton having transformed themselves from relegation-threatened underachievers to a top-half team since his arrival.
Allardyce was not technically in charge for the 4-0 win over West Ham United last month, but by that stage it was clear he would be the new manager and Everton have gone on to win three games in a row - as many victories as they had managed in their previous 20 games combined.
Indeed, immediately before Allardyce's arrival Everton had lost eight and won just one of their previous 12 matches across all competitions, but they have now not only won three games on the bounce, they have also kept three clean sheets in a row too.
The latest of those came in the Europa League on Thursday when the Toffees finally got their first win of the group stage by beating Apollon, avoiding the ignominy of finishing bottom following a disastrous campaign.
Everton's decent Premier League run actually stretches back further than Allardyce's appointment with only one defeat in their last five games following a run of six losses and only one win in nine prior to that.
A victory for Everton today would not only hand them some all-too-rare bragging rights over Liverpool, but it would also mark the first time they have won three consecutive Premier League games since their first three games of 2017, which also so happens to be the last time they kept three top-flight clean sheets in a row too.
Perhaps the biggest lingering concern for Allardyce and Everton now will be their away form, which has been truly dire so far this calendar year.
Thursday's win in Cyprus was their first on the road in any competition for 12 matches - since their Europa League qualifying victory over Ruzomberok - but in the Premier League the Toffees are winless in their last 15 away games, drawing seven and losing eight since beating Allardyce's Crystal Palace in January. That triumph remains their only league away win of 2017 so far.
Indeed, Everton are one of only three Premier League teams yet to win away from home this season, while only Crystal Palace have picked up fewer points on the road.
It is an aspect which Everton simply must improve upon if they are begin to put more distance between themselves and the relegation zone. The Toffees may have begun the day in the top half of the table, but they are still only five points clear of the relegation zone so they are by no means safe just yet.
PREDICTION: Right, we're 10 minutes away from kickoff at Anfield, which means that it is time for a prediction!
Liverpool's team selection makes this one a little more interesting, with the Reds missing Coutinho and Firmino amongst others, although both are available off the bench and could be pretty high-impact subs if needed. Everton will fancy their chances a little more having seen Klopp's changes, but their away form cannot be ignored - not to mention their dreadful record in this fixture recently. We're still going for a comfortable home win.
SPORTS MOLE SAYS: Liverpool 3-0 Everton
I alluded to Everton's poor record in this fixture there, so just how bad is it?
Well, the Toffees are winless in their last 14 Merseyside derbies across all competitions, which is just one short of their worst-ever run against Liverpool. Should the Reds avoid defeat again today then they would equal their 15-match unbeaten streak set between March 1972 and April 1978.
In the Premier League Everton have lost 11 and won just one of their last 21 meetings with Liverpool, with that solitary victory coming by a 2-0 scoreline in October 2010 - more than seven years ago now.
Their record at Anfield is even worse - the Toffees are without a win in their last 17 visits across Stanley Park stretching back to a 1-0 win in September 1999 when Kevin Campbell scored the only goal of the game.
If previous meetings are anything to go by then we can expect a red card and some late drama this afternoon.
No fixture has seen more red cards than this one in the Premier League era, with 21 being dished out across the 50 such meetings - 14 for Everton and seven for Liverpool.
The Reds have also scored four winning goals in the 90th minute or later against Everton, which is the joint-most by a team against a specific opponent in Premier League history. The most recent of those came at Goodison Park last December when Sadio Mane stole all three points for Liverpool, while the corresponding fixture at Anfield saw Liverpool run out 3-1 winners.
Right, the players are out for this huge showdown at Anfield and we're just about ready to go for the first Merseyside derby of the season. A reminder of the team news before we get started...
LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Mignolet; Gomez, Lovren, Klavan, Robertson; Henderson, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Mane, Salah, Solanke
EVERTON STARTING XI: Pickford; Kenny, Holgate, Williams, Martina; Calvert-Lewin, Rooney, Gueye, Davies, Sigurdsson; Niasse
KICKOFF: The snow is just beginning to fall as Everton get us underway at Anfield, but the atmosphere should help to warm everyone up quickly.
The first shot of the afternoon comes from Henderson after Martina had made things difficult for Williams. Liverpool were so quick to pounce on the Everton defender and pour forward, but in the end Henderson's shot was well off target.
Everton have their first chance to test the Liverpool defence from a set piece, but Kenny wastes it with his cross drifting straight behind for a goal kick.
Liverpool go up the other end and Mane feeds the ball out wide for Robertson in a bit of space, but his cross is poor and easy for Pickford to gather.
Liverpool have been the main early aggressors in the opening exchanges here, as you would expect. Allardyce's first priority is probably for his team to get through the opening 20 minutes or so with no damage.
Almost a chance for Mane as Robertson plays the ball through for the winger inside the box. Mane tries to cut inside Holgate, but he slips at the crucial moment and the chance goes begging.
CHANCE! Another sight of goal for Liverpool here as Salah beats Martina far too easily down the right flank and stands a cross up to the back post. Milner is coming in and meets it with a volley, but his effort is smothered by a good block from Kenny.
Milner slides a pass inside Rooney for Robertson, but the Everton skipper cannot prevent the full-back from getting in behind him down the byline. Robertson's cross into the box comes to nothing, but Rooney's defensive capabilities were exposed there.
Liverpool are really knocking on the door at the moment, with Everton coming under some heavy and relentless pressure right now. Allardyce is screaming instructions at his players from the touchlines.
Liverpool have had more than two-thirds of the possession in this match so far, and Salah and Mane have been heavily involved in that. Everton have managed to hold on so far, but an opening goal looks inevitable if it carries on like this.
The hosts are just camped inside the Everton half right now, with the Toffees unable to keep hold of the ball and get out. They are simply hoofing the ball up the field when they do win it back from a Liverpool attack.
Milner slides a pass down the left channel for Mane, but his low cross into the middle is gathered by Pickford comfortably. Everton are defending very deep at the moment.
Liverpool have had 42% of the ball inside the Everton third, with just 7% in their own third, which gives some idea of the way this match has gone so far. It is one-way traffic, but no way through for Liverpool just yet.
The passing accuracy stats don't make great reading for Everton either so far - they have completed just 46% of their passes compared to 93% for Liverpool. Still the scoreline remains goalless, though, and Everton would consider that a decent return considering how much they have been on the back foot so far.
Gomez goes flying into a messy and late challenge on the left wing, catching MArtina late and seemingly leaving one on the Everton man right in front of the linesman. Only a free kick given, though.
Gomez swings a teasing ball into the box which Everton cannot deal with as it arrives all the way to Mane at the back post. Mane pulls it back to Solanke, who in turn tries to find Salah, but they are not on the same page and the ball runs through to Pickford.
Liverpool have a free kick in a good crossing position here as Milner is tripped by Kenny. Up come the big boys from the back for this one...
Oxlade-Chamberlain whips it into the box, but it is neither a cross nor a shot and it flies a couple of yards wide of the far post without getting a touch on the way through.
Milner tries his luck from range having seen Liverpool fail to break down the Everton defence so far, but his shot deflects up and Pickford is unable to prevent it going behind for a corner.
Every challenge is being cheered to the rafters by the fans of whichever team comes out on top. There is a really good atmosphere inside Anfield, although the game itself has been almost like an attack vs. defence training routine.
SHOT! Salah shows his best dancing feet on his way into the box, but with so many blue shirts in there he is eventually crowded out and has to poke the ball back to Robertson. The full-back tries his luck from range, but his effort is always rising well over the crossbar.
Jordan Henderson alone has actually completed more passes than Everton in this match so far, but such is the visitors' game plan than I suspect Allardyce will not care about that. They have set up to contain and frustrate Liverpool, and so far they have managed that.
YELLOW CARD! The first card of the derby is shown to Sigurdsson, who left one on the ankle of Henderson. Painful one for the Liverpool skipper.
Salah searches for Liverpool's first shot on target as he exchanges passes with Mane before going for goal from range, but his tame strike is blocked before it runs through to Pickford.
Everton just have so many players behind the ball that it is really difficult for Liverpool to create anything. There has been nothing for the Reds to do at the other end, but perhaps Klopp may already be thinking about introducing Coutinho and Firmino to increase his attacking options.
Gomez almost manages to break in behind the defence here as Niasse fails to adequately cut out a through-ball, but his eventual cross - at the second attempt - only finds the arms of Pickford.
YELLOW CARD! Gueye is the second player in the book today for a challenge from behind on Mane.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Everton (Mohamed Salah)
It looked like it may take something a bit special to break the deadlock in this match, and Mohamed Salah has just provided it.
The winger holds off Martina before spinning away from the defender and also beating Gueye on his way into the box. From there Salah still has plenty to do, but he curls a beauty of a finish into the top corner and past a helpless Pickford for the opening goal of the game!
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Now that should make things a little more interesting! Everton can no longer only sit behind the ball and focus on keeping Liverpool at bay, which should help this game to open up a little more now.
Salah looks to do it again from even further out here as he cuts inside before going for goal from range, but Williams blocks it behind for a corner.
SHOT! The resulting corner is cleared as far as Henderson, whose own cross is also half-dealt with by the Everton defence. This time it arrives to Oxlade-Chamberlain, who lashes a sweetly-struck volley over the top.
We will have two minutes of added time at the end of this first half.
CHANCE! Huge chance for Liverpool to add a second before half time! Mane is played clean through on goal but, with three players waiting for a square ball and easy tap-in, the winger instead drags his own effort well wide. You can't blame him for going himself, but he should have done better.
SAVE! Mignolet is called into action for the first time in the final minute of the half as he collects Sigurdsson's effort easily.
HALF TIME: Liverpool 1-0 Everton
The first half comes to an end at Anfield, then, and Liverpool go into the break with the narrow lead over their defensive visitors courtesy of that goal late in the half.
It was a largely frustrating half for Liverpool as they struggled to break through an Everton side with very little designs on attacking, but the goal was worth the wait and Liverpool could have added to it before the break too.
It won't come as a surprise to many that Mohamed Salah was responsible for the only goal of the game so far, capping off a fine solo run with a stunning finish three minutes before the interval.
The Premier League's top scorer shrugged off the challenge of Martina before dribbling past Gueye and curling an unstoppable finish into the top scorer past a helpless Pickford. Everton could have perhaps defended better, but it was a moment of individual brilliance from Salah.
Having finally broken through the Everton defence, Liverpool should have had a second in stoppage time when Mane was played through on goal down the left channel.
The winger had three teammates in support, all waiting for a square pass which would have left them with a simple tap-in, but he decided to go for goal himself and dragged a poor finish well wide of the target.
As for Everton, they have been pretty woeful so far today, seeing just 20% of the possession and completing only 54 successful passes with a pass accuracy of 53%.
It has been one-way traffic throughout in this match, with Everton not interested in attacking whatsoever, but that needs to change in the second half courtesy of that Salah goal, which should hopefully result in a more open second half.
This should give some idea as to the level of Liverpool's dominance in that first half...
KICKOFF: Liverpool get us back underway at Anfield, and the first thing to tell you is that Everton have made two changes at the break, with Morgan Schneiderlin and Aaron Lennon replacing Davies and Niasse.
Liverpool are right back on the front foot here and Kenny is needed to knock the ball behind for a corner after Salah's cross.
CHANCE! Salah could - and probably should - have a second here! Milner whips a good cross in towards the back post where Salah has peeled off Kenny, but his header back across goal goes wide of the target with Pickford beaten. Big chance for Liverpool to give themselves a cushion!
SHOT! Everton make a rare foray forward here as Rooney slides a pass through for Calvert-Lewin, who checks back onto his right foot but then sends a poor effort wide of the target.
Liverpool are straight back up the other end looking dangerous, but Everton survive with only a corner.
The resulting delivery is played into the box low and it goes all the way through to the back post, with Holgate getting an unorthodox but crucial touch to the ball to take it away from Lovren.
Salah is causing problems again here as this time he goes on the outside before clipping a cross into the box which is smuggled behind for yet another corner.
SHOT! Liverpool work a short corner well with Salah exchanging passes with first Oxlade-Chamberlain and then Mane, only to fire his eventual shot well over from the edge of the box.
Everton are certainly showing a little more attacking intent in this second half, in that they are keeping fewer than 11 players packed behind the ball, but it is still mostly long-ball stuff from the visitors and Liverpool are dealing with it so easily at the moment.
SAVE! This would have been one of the great derby goals. Salah crosses the ball into Mane, who chests it down and goes for a bicycle kick from the edge of the box, Rivaldo-esque. It is on target, but Pickford plucks it out of the air.
Martina is really struggling in this one. He fluffs his lines from a clearance here and that almost gifts Solanke a chance, but he slips while shooting and Sigurdsson is able to make the block.
Less than half an hour remaining in this one now and, while it has been one-way traffic more or less from the off, Liverpool still only have that one-goal lead. They will want another to give themselves a cushion as it could only take an Everton set piece for them to throw away a victory if things stay the same.
Oxlade-Chamberlain delivers a peach of a low cross into the box which Mane throws himself at in front of Kenny. However, the winger is just short of reaching it and Pickford gets an important hand to the ball under plenty of pressure.
Another free kick for Liverpool in a dangerous position as Kenny hacks Mane to the ground having been second to the ball once again. Can the hosts make anything of this one?
CLOSE! They very nearly do! Salah swings the free kick into the middle which Gomez meets with a towering header, but his effort clips the roof of the net on its way over.
LIVERPOOL SUB: Off comes one of the 'Fab Four' and on comes another as Roberto Firmino replaces Salah.
We're almost into the final 20 minutes here and, while Everton have barely been in this game throughout, they are still just about in this game - if you catch my drift. Will the Toffees create that one chance they need to perhaps nick something from this game?
Klopp's tactics and team selections have been called into question a few times in recent weeks, but if they can see out a comfortable win here then it will get even harder to argue with his rotation policy.
Everton get forward and finally win their first corner of the match, but Mignolet comes to claim it really well before also dealing with a second ball into the box shortly afterwards.
As the clock continues to tick down you can just sense some belief starting to grow amongst the Everton fans here. They have still offered nothing going forward, but they are still in this game with 15 minutes remaining.
PENALTY TO EVERTON!
GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Everton (Wayne Rooney, penalty)
Talk about against the run of play! I mentioned Liverpool may need a second goal, and that has proved to be true here as Everton equalise with their first meaningful attack of the match.
Rooney pings a superb pass forward for Calvert-Lewin, who collects it inside the penalty area before going down under a clumsy challenge from Lovren. Craig Pawson points to the spot, much to the fury of Lovren, but the Liverpool man gave the referee a decision to make when he really didn't need to.
Rooney steps up to take the resulting kick, and he slams it down the middle to level things up.
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LIVERPOOL SUB: Time for some of the cavalry as Philippe Coutinho replaces Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Less than 10 minutes remaining for Liverpool to react to that goal now. They have utterly dominated this match, but are on course to drop two valuable points.
LIVERPOOL SUB: A third and final change for Liverpool sees a return for Danny Ings as he replaces Solanke.
EVERTON SUB: The visitors react with a change of their own as Phil Jagielka replaces Rooney.
YELLOW CARD! Schneiderlin picks up a late yellow card for a crunching challenge on Milner.
SAVE! Coutinho fires the resulting free kick over the wall and towards the top corner, but Pickford is across to make a relatively comfortable save.
Lovren has some making up to do after giving away that penalty and he climbs highest in the box to meet Coutinho's corner, but he mistimes his jump slightly and sends his header well off target.
There will be FOUR minutes of added time at the end of this match!
Robertson swings a cross towards the back post and Firmino throws himself at it, but he can't reach it and it goes through to safety.
Is that the last chance for Liverpool? Coutinho tees the ball up for Henderson, but the skipper blazes a dreadful effort well off target.
FULL TIME: Liverpool 1-1 Everton
Well, not for the first time this season Liverpool will be kicking themselves for not finishing a team off.
The Reds dominated that match for long, long periods, with Everton posing just one threat throughout. That threat proved to be enough for them to earn a point, though, with Rooney's penalty cancelling out Salah's stunning opener to complete a smash-and-grab performance from the Toffees.
Right, that is all we have time for this afternoon!
Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's Merseyside derby as Everton rescue a point from Anfield, despite being second best for the vast majority of the match. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction too.
From me, though, it is goodbye for now!
