A historic night beckons for Everton as Goodison Park plays host to its final Merseyside Derby with league leaders Liverpool making the short trip across Stanley Park.
Fittingly, the record is perfectly balanced between the eternal rivals on Everton’s home patch ahead of Wednesday’s finale. The two sides have met 119 times at Goodison and each recorded 41 victories on the Toffees’ hallowed turf.
While Everton are aiming to celebrate this grand occasion in style, Liverpool are hunting a mammoth victory that will take them closer to the Premier League title. Arne Slot’s Reds are six points clear of Arsenal at the summit and will finally be on a level playing field with the Gunners in terms of games played after Wednesday’s derby.
The original fixture back on 7 December was postponed due to issues caused by Storm Darragh. Thus, the Merseyside rivals will meet again before the season’s out, with David Moyes taking his Everton team to Anfield in April. Moyes, upon his return to Goodison, has overseen three Premier League wins from four games and has the Toffees seven points clear of the drop zone.
Everton could have Vitalii Mykolenko available again for Wednesday’s derby after the left-back missed Saturday’s FA Cup defeat with a minor calf injury.
However, Moyes is unlikely to welcome anyone else back for Liverpool’s visit. Dwight McNeil, Nathan Patterson and Seamus Coleman are all sidelined, as are forwards Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Armando Broja and Youssef Chermiti. Beto will start up top for the hosts.
McNeil was a crucial cog for Sean Dyche but has spent months on the sidelines with a knee injury and could be out until late March after undergoing surgery.
Moyes also hinted that loan arrival Charly Alcaraz is in contention to make his first start for the club.
Everton predicted lineup vs Liverpool (4-4-1-1): Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Lindstrom, Garner, Gueye, Ndiaye; Doucoure; Beto.
It’s safe to say that very few of those involved at Home Park are likely to feature on Wednesday night. Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota are options for Slot up top, but Darwin Nunez impressed in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup victory over Tottenham last Thursday and could get the nod.
Joe Gomez picked up another injury at the weekend and is set for a spell out, but the Reds should have Trent Alexander-Arnold back fit after he sustained a minor knock at Bournemouth two weekends go. Slot, however, could opt for Conor Bradley at right-back.
There are otherwise few concerns for the visitors, with the bulk of their projected XI fresh from having the weekend off.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Everton (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Nunez.
