Jarrad Branthwaite has expressed the importance of Everton approaching their final Goodison Park derby against Liverpool with the belief that they can secure a victory. Liverpool, who have only suffered one defeat in the Premier League this season, will be aiming to extend their lead at the top of the table with a win. Branthwaite, who scored in Everton’s 2-0 victory over Liverpool in March, believes that building up the game too much can lead to added pressure and hinder performance. He emphasizes the need for the players to focus on their abilities and replicate last season’s result.
Liverpool, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back from their unexpected FA Cup fourth-round loss to Plymouth Argyle. The defeat ended their hopes of achieving a quadruple in Jurgen Klopp’s first season at Anfield. With a busy schedule ahead, including four Premier League games in 10 days, Liverpool will need to regroup and respond strongly against Everton. Klopp acknowledges the demanding fixture list and highlights the importance of managing the players’ workload.
However, Liverpool will likely be without defender Joe Gomez and midfielder Curtis Jones, who picked up injuries in the Plymouth match. Klopp is unsure about Gomez’s condition but believes it is not a serious tear. Jones, on the other hand, expressed that he is not fully recovered yet. These absences led to more young players being on the pitch than initially planned.
In terms of players to watch, Iliman Ndiaye has been in excellent form for Everton, scoring in each of his last three Premier League games. His contributions have helped Everton move away from the relegation zone. For Liverpool, Mohamed Salah will be eager to make an impact after being rested in their FA Cup defeat. Salah has been directly involved in 21 goals in Liverpool’s away games this season, making him a key player for the Reds.
In terms of predictions, Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 19 Premier League games and have a strong record against Everton. However, Everton have won their last three league games and will be motivated to perform well in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. The fixture has a history of intense moments, with the most red cards and 0-0 draws in Premier League history. Additionally, Liverpool have scored more 90th-minute winners against Everton than any other team.
According to Opta, Liverpool have a 59.6% chance of winning, while Everton have an 18.2% chance and a draw has a 22.2% chance. With the heightened emotions surrounding this match, it is expected to be an exciting and closely contested encounter.
