TEAM NEWS: No Matip, but Sturridge and Can on the bench for Liverpool

Melissa Reddy

TEAM NEWS: No Matip, but Sturridge and Can on the bench for Liverpool image

Joel Matip will not feature in the 227th Merseyside derby, but Liverpool are boosted by the return of Daniel Sturridge and Emre Can to the squad at Everton.

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Matip's ankle issue needs to be managed carefully, so he is not risked for the showdown with Ragnar Klavan continuing in the heart of defence.

England international Sturridge, meanwhile, is involved in the matchday 18 for the first time since the goalless draw with Southampton on November 19.

A calf complaint has kept Sturridge out of five successive games and while Jurgen Klopp admitted the striker “wouldn’t be 100 per cent,” he acknowledged having him “for 20 minutes would be fantastic,” given he has scored four goals in his last five league appearances against Everton. 

Can adds further strength to Liverpool’s bench after shaking off the knee injury which kept him sidelined against West Ham and Middlesbrough.

It will be the first sample of the local rivalry for Klavan, Georginio Wijnaldum and Sadio Mane - the latter lining up against his former Southampton boss Ronald Koeman. 

Loris Karius and young duo Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ben Woodburn also enjoy their introduction to the derby in the top flight, albeit as substitutes.

Liverpool starting XI: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Klavan, Milner, Henderson, Lallana, Wijnaldum, Mane, Firmino, Origi.

Liverpool subs: Karius, Moreno, Lucas, Alexander-Arnold, Can, Woodburn, Sturridge.

Everton starting XI: Stekelenburg, Coleman, Funes Mori, Williams, Baines, Gueye, McCarthy, Lennon, Barkley, Valencia, Lukaku

Everton subs: Joel, Mirallas, Cleverley, Barry, Calvert-Lewin, Holgate, Kenny

Melissa Reddy

Melissa Reddy Photo