Liverpool Team News: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs Everton

Neil Jones

Liverpool Team News: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs Everton image

The big games just keep on coming as far as Liverpool are concerned.

After their Champions League demolition job on Manchester City comes another blockbuster, as Jurgen Klopp's side take on Everton in the 231st Merseyside derby.

The Reds travel to Goodison Park looking to continue their long unbeaten run against their near neighbours, and to cement their place in the Premier League's top four.

Everton, on the other hand, will be looking to avenge their FA Cup third round defeat at Anfield in January, and to record their first victory over their bitter rivals since 2010.

Here, Goal takes a look at everything you need to know ahead of the game.


Liverpool injuries


"If there is a centre half in the room then please, I am open for talks!" said Jurgen Klopp prior to Wednesday's game with City, and he was only half-joking.

Liverpool's injury list is a concern. Joel Matip has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a thigh issue, while Adam Lallana will do well to play again before May with a hamstring issue.

Joe Gomez (knock) and Ragnar Klavan (knock) have also been struck down, while youngster Ben Woodburn is another on the treatment table. 

Emre Can missed the game with Manchester City due to a back complaint, but Klopp is confident the German will be able to play some part in Saturday's game. 

Worst of all, though, are the fears over Mohamed Salah, who was forced off against City with a groin issue. Klopp says the Egyptian told him he was "fine" after the game, but surely Liverpool won't take any risks with their star man at this stage?


Liverpool suspensions


Liverpool do not have any suspended players for this game.


Liverpool potential starting line-up


Ideally, Klopp would be able to shuffle his pack for this one, but injury worries mean his options are severely limited.

Loris Karius would be expected to keep his place in goal, and both Dejan Lovren and Virgil van Dijk will surely have to start at centre back. The same goes for Andy Robertson, who is firmly ahead of Alberto Moreno in the left-back stakes.

On the other flank, is Nathaniel Clyne fit enough to play 90 minutes in such a game? Or will Trent Alexander-Arnold, the teenager, be asked to play a third full game in a week? Either would be a risk.

Midfield offers some wiggle room. Should Can prove his fitness, then Klopp will have five central midfield options to choose from - Can, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Gini Wijnaldum and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Can, perhaps, must be held back given Henderson's suspension for the Champions League second leg.

In attack, both Danny Ings and Dom Solanke will be vying for a start, with the latter doing his chances no harm with a busy performance off the bench against City.

A few youngsters are also in with a shot of making the matchday squad, with the likes of Conor Masterson, Rafa Camacho, Herbie Kane and Curtis Jones all potential substitutes.

Liverpool likely XI vs Everton


Everton team news


The Blues have problems of their own, of course.

Eliaquim Mangala, Gylfi Sigurdsson, James McCarthy and Mason Holgate are all absent, while Idrissa Gueye is a doubt for the game having missed out against Manchester City on Saturday. 


TV channel & kick-off time


The fixture will be broadcast live in the UK (United Kingdom)  on Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports Premier League, kick off 12.30pm.

In the United States , the game can be watched live on television on NBCSN, kick off 7.30am. 


Best Opta match facts


  • Everton have won only one of their last 22 league meetings with Liverpool (D10 L11), including failing to win each of the last 14 since a 2-0 victory in October 2010.

  • In fact, in all competitions Liverpool are unbeaten in 16 games against Everton (W8 D8) – their longest ever run without defeat against their Merseyside neighbours.

  • Four of the last five Premier League meetings between these sides at Goodison Park have ended level, though Liverpool won the last such meeting 1-0 last season.

  • That win was thanks to a 90th minute winner from Sadio Mane – it was Liverpool’s fourth 90th minute winning strike against the Toffees, no side has had more against a specific opponent in the competition.

  • There have been 21 red cards in Premier League meetings between these sides, the most of any fixture in the competition. Everton have been shown 14 of these red cards, also the most for one side against another in the Premier League.

  • Seven of Everton’s last eight Premier League defeats at Goodison Park have been against ‘big six’ sides, with the exception being Burnley’s 1-0 win there in October this season. o If Liverpool win, it will be the first time since 1989-90 the club have managed to win 10+ away games in consecutive top-flight seasons.

  • Sadio Mane has scored on both of his last two visits to Goodison Park in the Premier League, with Southampton in April 2016 and in this exact fixture last term.

  • Mohamed Salah’s 29 goals have been worth 15 points to Liverpool this season – more than any other players’ goals 

Neil Jones

Neil Jones Photo

Neil Jones is the Liverpool FC Correspondent for Goal, covering the Reds home, away and abroad. Neil joined Goal in March 2018, having previously spent eight years working for the Liverpool ECHO as a football reporter. A born-and-bred Scouser, Neil is a trusted and authoritative voice on Liverpool, and regularly appears on the club’s official TV channel, LFCTV, to talk about the club. He is also a regular contributor to podcasts such as The Anfield Wrap, Redmen TV and Anfield Index, and can be found on Saturday mornings turning out for his local amateur club, FC Bootle St Edmunds, where he is also the assistant manager.