Primetime Premier League: Can Liverpool edge closer to 100 derby wins on Saturday?

The Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton is the most hotly anticipated clash in the Premier League this weekend. Can the troubled Toffees secure a rare victory over their neighbours?

Liverpool close in on derby landmark

With the transfer window finally shut, it’s time to fully focus on the actual football. What better way to start than Everton’s Goodison Park encounter with Liverpool?

This will be the 241st edition of one of the Premier League’s most iconic matches, and Liverpool are just three wins short of 100 in the series. Jurgen Klopp’s side are 1.44 favourites to edge closer to that landmark on Saturday.

Everything against Everton

These are nervous times to be an Everton fan. They’re now five matches into the Premier League season and have yet to record a single victory. Away draws at Brentford and Leeds over the course of the last week were not bad results, but with Liverpool, Arsenal and West Ham to come, there is the very real prospect that Frank Lampard’s side could go into September’s international break without a win.

A victory over Liverpool would transform that outlook. Suddenly, a winless start to the season would become a four-match undefeated run, with the narrative inevitably flipped in a manner that only football can achieve.

However, Everton face not only one of the best teams in the world, but also the weight of history on their shoulders. They have won just one of their last 26 games against Liverpool in all competitions, and none at Goodison Park since a 2-0 victory back in 2010.

Reds slowly rising

Although Liverpool overcame Newcastle on Wednesday to record their second successive victory, they are still not quite firing on all cylinders yet. They were brilliant in a 9-0 home pounding against Bournemouth, but the evidence of the other four games suggests they are yet to get into their stride.

Mo Salah: will be glad to have Darwin Nunez back alongside him after suspension

Darwin Nunez’s return from suspension should help matters, despite Roberto Firmino finding form in recent games. Meanwhile, the midfield injury crisis has been eased by the addition of Arthur Melo from Juventus, although he may not be able to play a full role this weekend.

What is evident, though, is that Liverpool are determined not to lose any more ground on the league leaders. That was clear in the manner they celebrated their dramatic winner over Newcastle, which could be a pivotal moment in the campaign even this early on.

Derby day delight for Liverpool

Despite their poor home record against Liverpool, Everton have managed to be competitive in their home derbies, with eight of the last 11 ending in draws. This is not a strong Everton side, though, and the 4-1 defeat they suffered in this fixture last season is reflective of where the clubs presently rank. With Liverpool in need of a victory, expect Klopp’s side to ensure the job is done professionally. 

Each of the Reds’ last two matches with Everton have been decided by two or more goals, and the prospects of a repeat look healthy. 

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