Liverpool will look to get back to the top of the Premier League table when they take on Everton late on Sunday in the Merseyside derby.
The Reds have dropped to second in the table after Manchester City’s narrow 1-0 win against Bournemouth on Tuesday, and only a win will take them back to the top.
Jurgen Klopp’s side returned to winning ways last Wednesday when they hammered Watford 5-0, but the clash against Everton will present its own challenges as the Reds are likely to come up against a more adventurous side.
The Toffees have played cautiously in the derby games of late, but considering their recent run, they might not sit back and defend against Liverpool.
Liverpool Team News
Roberto Firmino is in contention to start against the Toffees, but he will be assessed before the game.
Divock Origi played well on Wednesday, and should Firmino fail to prove his fitness, the Belgian might once again start.
Dejan Lovren trained with the Reds, but he is unlikely to take part in the derby.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup
Defence
We don’t expect any changes at the back as the duo of Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip are starting to perform well together.
Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold provided a combined five assists last time, and should keep their place in the Liverpool lineup.
The two have shown good pace and ability to track back, and their crossing has troubled defenders quite a few times this season.
Alisson should keep his place in goal.
Midfield
James Milner had another brilliant game in midfield against Watford, but considering Klopp likes to rotate, we might see Jordan Henderson return to the lineup.
Fabinho and Gini Wijnaldum, however, are indispensable to the lineup, and should keep their place in midfield. The former will play as the deeper midfielder, and his ability to win the ball in a key area of the pitch was evident against Watford.
Attack
There are rare games when Mohamed Salah goes through 90 minutes without a goal or an assist, and the clash against Watford was one of those. The Egyptian will hope to get on the scoresheet against Everton.
Sadio Mane was used as a centre-forward in the last game while Origi was shifted to a wide role. If Firmino starts, we expect Mane to play on the left.
