By Sam McGuire
The Merseyside derby presents Arne Slot’s facet with the chance to, as soon as once more, transfer 12 factors clear with simply eight video games left to play.
Everton have already dented their neighbour’s title hopes this season. They’ll be hoping to repeat the trick at Anfield on Wednesday night.
Are the Liverpool wheels falling off?
Liverpool are unbeaten within the Premier League since September. They’ve one of the best house file within the English prime flight with 11 wins from 14 matches and that sole defeat in opposition to Nottingham Forest. They’ve diverse dominant showings with grinding out outcomes when it issues. They’ve proven they’ve the resilience of champions.
Their wholesome lead on the prime ought to be sufficient to get them over the road and in the event that they fail to elevate the Premier League title in Might, it is going to have been a dramatic decline by no means seen earlier than.
All issues level to the Reds claiming their twentieth league title. However there’s one thing niggling away within the background.
The Reds misplaced back-to-back matches previous to the worldwide break. Paris Saint-Germain, at Anfield, knocked Liverpool out of the Champions League on penalties. Newcastle United then ended a 70-year look ahead to a trophy by beating Slot’s males within the Carabao Cup remaining.
The final time Liverpool put in a efficiency of champions was again in February once they swept Newcastle apart at Anfield. The longer the poor performances final, the smaller their lead on the hole will grow to be.
This can be a massive one for the Reds. Greater than individuals realise.
Sticky Toffees
In the event you’re a glass half full sort of individual, you’ll say that Everton are unbeaten in six.
In the event you’re a glass half empty form of individual, you’ll level out the Toffees have only one win of their final six within the Premier League.
David Moyes’ facet are draw specialists. They’ve drawn three of their final 4 1-1. Throughout this six recreation spell, they’ve additionally picked up two 2-2 attracts – this consists of the sport in opposition to Liverpool at Goodison Park.
Everton have been troublesome to beat. With a bit extra high quality in assault, quite a few these attracts would doubtless have been was wins. The Blues are with out key attackers in Dwight McNeil, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Iliman Ndiaye.
Right here’s the factor although, they don’t want a win at Anfield. Everton are nicely away from the dropzone – 17 factors to be actual. They aren’t going to say a European spot both. They’ve the posh of simply current for the ultimate 9 matches and ruining the hopes and desires of different groups, beginning with Liverpool.
In the event that they keep away from defeat, they, as soon as once more, dent Liverpool’s title hopes. And that will probably be seen as a win by the blue half of Merseyside.
Mo Salah farewell tour continues
Newest reviews appear to recommend Salah is enthusiastic about shifting to Saudi Arabia when his contract expires on the finish of the season.
If that is to be his final marketing campaign within the English top-flight, he’s going out on a excessive.
He’s at present tied for essentially the most aim involvements (44) in a 38-game season and there are nonetheless 9 matches remaining. He’s simply three aim involvements shy of the all-time Premier League file of 47 (recorded by Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole again when it was a 42 recreation season).
The Liverpool No. 11 appears destined to shatter that file. He might additionally grow to be the primary participant since Thierry Henry to file 20+ targets and 20+ assists in a single marketing campaign. And he’s doing this on the age of 32 whereas his time at Anfield is supposedly winding down.
If that is to be his final Merseyside Derby, he’s going to wish to exit on a excessive.
The battle of the accidents
Liverpool are and not using a host of defenders for this conflict.
Trent Alexander-Arnold continues to be dominated out with an ankle damage. Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley are each lacking with hamstring accidents, although the latter is again coaching however this recreation has, in response to reviews, come too quickly for the Northern Eire worldwide.
Slot’s choices are restricted, so Jarell Quansah will doubtless function as a makeshift right-back as soon as once more.
Everton, in the meantime, are with out attackers. Calvert-Lewin, Ndiaye and McNeil will all miss out, that means Moyes can’t precisely tinker along with his remaining third choices. Will he have the ability to put out an assault to hassle Liverpool’s weakened backline or will the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté be sufficient to nullify no matter Everton can put collectively?
Prediction
If Liverpool wish to win the title, this can be a recreation they must win. They’re going to wish to put in an excellent exhibiting as a response to the disappointments previous to the worldwide break, so we’re going with a 2-1 win for the hosts.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
You’ll be able to comply with each recreation from the Premier League with FotMob this season — that includes deep stats protection, xG, and participant scores. Obtain the free app right here.