Let’s forget about Liverpool’s incredible position at the top of the Premier League for a moment, Arne Slot has triumphed for quickly forging a visceral connection with the fanbase, taking Jurgen Klopp’s place.
Before a competitive ball had been kicked, supporters were subscribing to the notion that this cool-headed Dutchman and his slick and control-centric brand of football could root itself into the club’s DNA and continue the work of his predecessor.
He gets it. And so with Liverpool approaching a crunch Merseyside derby at Goodison Park – the last contest between Liverpool and Everton at this iconic ground – Slot’s comments on his side needing to match the hosts’ intensity subtly spoke volumes.
With three top-flight wins on the trot, Everton will be ready to meet title-chasing rivals with fire. Liverpool know that victory at Goodison will take them nine points clear of second-place Arsenal.
However, this ground brings unsettling recent memories for the Reds when in a title battle.
Liverpool's last trip to Goodison Park
Sean Dyche’s low block and resilient defending proved too much for toothless Liverpool in April of last year, effectively ending Klopp’s title hopes with a 2-0 victory.
Jarrad Branthwaite gave the hosts a deserved first-half lead from a corner before Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s leaping header struck the final nail into the proverbial coffin.
Crystal Palace’s crushing Anfield win had already shifted Liverpool into the background of a thrilling three-horse title race, but this condemned Klopp’s side to a season of just the Carabao Cup, having fought for so much more.
That burnout will be in the recesses of fans’ minds at present, but Slot’s success in limiting injuries and keeping his side chugging forward presents a wholly different scenario.
Liverpool cannot lose against their rivals once again, lest Arsenal begin to claim ground and confidence as the business months loom.
24/04/24
Premier League
2-0 loss
03/09/22
Premier League
0-0 draw
01/12/21
Premier League
4-1 win
17/10/20
Premier League
2-2 draw
21/06/20
Premier League
0-0 draw
Liverpool team news
Liverpool might have exited the FA Cup on Sunday, on the wrong end of a giant-killing by Plymouth Argyle, but Slot will take solace in having rested the bulk of his first-team squad, making ten changes for that dour defeat.
Joe Gomez is still injured, but there are tentative hopes that Trent Alexander-Arnold will be able to play a part after missing the past few fixtures with a hamstring issue. Still, he is a big doubt and is likely to be ruled out of actually making the starting lineup.
In midfield, Curtis Jones’ fitness levels precluded him from playing as Liverpool crashed out of the FA Cup, but Slot is expected to make wholesale changes in that department anyway.
Liverpool's predicted line-up
If Liverpool’s restored and full-strength squad claim a priceless victory at Goodison Park this evening, all will be forgiven vis-a-vis the Plymouth loss.
Caoimhin Kelleher was thwarted by Ryan Hardie’s spot kick but the recent result wasn’t his fault. That said, it’s hard to imagine the Irishman reprising his role between the sticks, with Alisson Becker playing nine successive Premier League matches since returning from injury.
We’ve noted that the £180k-per-week Trent is a doubt, and while this is a concern, Conor Bradley is more than capable of thriving in his stead, having dominated at right-back last week against Tottenham Hotspur.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are sure to return to central defence, conceding just one goal from their past four matches as a partnership (a late consolation for Ipswich Town during last month’s thrashing).
In midfield, expect Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai to slide back into their starting roles, so fluid and robust as a central triangle.
The wide flanks should be pretty straightforward too, with Mohamed Salah eager to add to his excellent record against Everton – seven goals and one assist from 11 matches – and Cody Gakpo ready to continue his prolific run of form, hitting seven goals and one assist in all competitions since Christmas.
Curiously, Luis Diaz was the sole bright spark during last season’s defeat on the hostile patch of Merseyside, hitting the woodwork, creating three chances and winning seven duels, as per Sofascore.
However, he’s not going to take Gakpo’s berth after such a miserable effort against the Pilgrims. In his makeshift focal role, he may be silenced by the collective muscle of the Toffees rearguard, Branthwaite and James Tarkowski sure to impose themselves.
Such a fixture may call for Darwin Nunez, whose shooting success has been negligible this term but his commitment and tenacity are well-suited to this forthcoming tie.
It’s a big one alright. A win to close the Goodison Park rivalry would be poetic, placing Liverpool within touching distance of the title. However, the inverse is also true for Everton, who would like nothing more than to strike a blow to Slot’s side.
Liverpool predicted line-up in full: (GK) Alisson; (RB) Conor Bradley, (CB) Ibrahima Konate, (CB) Virgil van Dijk, (LB) Andy Robertson; (CM) Ryan Gravenberch, (CM) Alexis Mac Allister, (AM) Dominik Szoboszlai; (RW) Mohamed Salah, (LW) Cody Gakpo, (CF) Darwin Nunez.
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