Liverpool v Everton Tips: Klopp seeks vital league win in the Merseyside Derby

There haven’t been many times in recent memory when both Liverpool and Everton enter a Merseyside derby in the midst of a shocking spell of recent results.

The Toffees may have recorded an impressive win over Arsenal in Sean Dyche’s first game in charge, but their record before that game makes grim reading. As for Liverpool, they have fallen so far from their success in recent years that some are even suggesting that Jurgen Klopp has run his course at Anfield. 

The hosts are desperate for a victory to help kickstart a resurgence in the second half of the season having won just three of their 10 games in all competitions since the World Cup. SBK traders believe that might happen with Liverpool penned as 1.57 favourites.  

In what is always a feisty affair, many punters will target the card markets, especially given there have been three or more bookings in the last nine meetings between these two sides. Both teams to receive two or more cards (1.79) is a good starting point. 

Struggling for goals 

Jurgen Klopp isn’t used to seeing his starting forwards struggle to hit the back of the net, but it’s been a major issue for the Reds this term.

They have managed to net more than once in a game on just three occasions since scoring two in the defeat to Manchester City in December, and have shockingly failed to score in three of their four Premier League games in 2023 so far. The ‘settling in’ period for Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo is taking longer than anticipated.

Everton are hardly flush for finishers themselves. They might have scored in six of their last seven games, but never more than once, and they lost five of them. 

Only Wolverhampton Wanderers have scored less than Everton (16) in the top-flight this season, and they don’t have a single player who has found the back of the net on more than three occasions.

Considering the lack of quality defending from these two sides, goals might come easier than normal. However, it is worth mentioning that the Merseyside derby has finished 0-0 more often than any other fixture in Premier League history.

Home and away 

Liverpool have only lost once in their 10 league games at Anfield this season and, while they’ve struggled for goals on the road, only Chelsea have stopped them from scoring at home.

From their perspective, playing a team with a solitary away victory all season and one goal in their last six matches away from Goodison Park eases the pressure a touch. Even in their current funk, a home win is likely. 

Liverpool v Everton Tips

Liverpool to win and Under 3.5 goals @ 2.28
Both teams to receive two or more cards @ 1.79