Liverpool vs Everton Match Preview – Premier League 2025/26
Match Details & Fixture Information
Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
Kick-off Time: 12:30 PM BST (7:30 AM ET / 5:00 PM IST)
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
Competition: Premier League 2025/26 – Matchday 5
Referee: Michael Oliver
VAR: Stuart Attwell
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Premier League (UK), NBC Sports/USA Network (US)
Pre-Match Analysis & Team Form
Liverpool Current Form & League Position
Liverpool enter this Merseyside Derby at the summit of the Premier League table, having made a perfect start to their title defense under Arne Slot. The defending champions have demonstrated exceptional consistency, winning all four of their opening fixtures and establishing themselves as early title favorites once again.
Perfect Championship Defense:
- Sitting comfortably at the top of the Premier League table with four straight wins
- Arne Slot’s tactical system taking shape with impressive results
- Attack brimming with creativity and goals, featuring Mohamed Salah in lethal form
- Florian Wirtz quickly settling into life on Merseyside as a key attacking threat
- Alexander Isak potential debut following impressive fitness levels against Atletico Madrid
Everton Current Form & Away Record
Everton approach this derby fixture occupying a surprising 6th position in the Premier League, having exceeded expectations in their early season performances. The Toffees have shown remarkable resilience and organization, making them dangerous opponents for the title holders.
Impressive Early Season:
- Currently in 6th position following excellent early season form
- Recent 0-0 draw with Aston Villa maintaining their strong start
- Defensive organization providing foundation for positive results
- Counter-attacking threat through pace and directness
- Derby motivation crucial for performance against city rivals
Team News & Injury Updates
Liverpool Injury List & Squad Updates
Key Transfer Addition:
- Alexander Isak (Forward) – Could make debut after impressing in fitness assessment
- Arne Slot admits he was “surprised by Isak’s fitness levels” and confirms he “could start”
- Mohamed Salah in exceptional form providing consistent goal threat
- Florian Wirtz quickly adapting to Premier League intensity
Expected Lineup Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Liverpool XI:
- Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
- Defense: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Andy Robertson
- Midfield: Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai
- Attack: Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz
Everton Injury List & Squad News
Squad Assessment:
- Full-strength squad available for crucial derby fixture
- Defensive stability key to their impressive early season form
- Counter-attacking options providing pace on the break
- Set-piece specialists important for scoring opportunities
Expected Formation: 4-2-3-1 or 5-4-1
Predicted Everton XI:
- Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
- Defense: Seamus Coleman, James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite, Vitalii Mykolenko
- Midfield: Idrissa Gueye, Abdoulaye Doucouré
- Attack: Jack Harrison, Dwight McNeil, Iliman Ndiaye
- Striker: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Head-to-Head Record & Historical Analysis
Merseyside Derby Statistics
The Merseyside Derby holds unique significance in English football, with both statistical dominance and emotional intensity defining this fixture. Liverpool’s recent home record against Everton demonstrates clear superiority.
Key Derby Statistics:
- Liverpool have lost just one of their last 28 home games against Everton in all competitions
- The Merseyside Derby has seen more red cards than any other fixture in Premier League history (25 players sent off)
- Liverpool could win each of their first five matches of the season for the first time since 2019-20
- Historical intensity and passion characteristic of this fixture
Recent Encounters
Liverpool’s Home Dominance:
- Exceptional recent record at Anfield against city rivals
- Anfield atmosphere crucial for Liverpool’s psychological advantage
- Everton’s defensive approach typically making for competitive encounters
- Set-pieces and individual moments often decisive
Tactical Analysis & Key Battles
Liverpool’s Title-Winning System Under Arne Slot
Tactical Evolution:
- Slot’s tactical system building on Klopp’s foundation with subtle improvements
- High-tempo pressing combined with patient build-up play
- Wide attacking play through overlapping full-backs
- Creative midfield combinations finding space between lines
- Clinical finishing from multiple attacking threats
Key Tactical Elements:
- Fluid front three with interchanging positions
- Alexander Isak providing new dimension to attacking play
- Defensive transitions improved under Slot’s guidance
- Set-piece execution both offensively and defensively
Everton’s Organized Approach
Defensive Strategy:
- Low defensive block to limit Liverpool’s space and time
- Physical challenges to disrupt Liverpool’s rhythm
- Counter-attacking opportunities through pace
- Set-piece defending crucial against Liverpool’s aerial threat
- Disciplined marking of key creative players
Counter-Attacking Threat:
- Direct play utilizing Calvert-Lewin’s physical presence
- Wide pace through Harrison and McNeil
- Quick transitions from defense to attack
- Clinical finishing from limited opportunities crucial
Key Individual Battles
Alexander Isak vs James Tarkowski Potential debut for Liverpool’s new striker against Everton’s experienced central defender.
Mohamed Salah vs Vitalii Mykolenko The Egyptian’s pace and finishing ability against Everton’s defensive discipline.
Trent Alexander-Arnold vs Jack Harrison Creative attacking full-back against Everton’s wide defensive approach.
Betting Odds & Market Analysis
Match Result Odds (Approximate)
Full-Time Result:
- Liverpool Win: 1.40 (2/5)
- Draw: 4.80 (19/5)
- Everton Win: 7.50 (13/2)
Both Teams To Score:
- Yes: 2.00
- No: 1.80
Over/Under Goals Market:
- Over 2.5 Goals: 1.60
- Under 2.5 Goals: 2.30
Value Betting Opportunities
Recommended Markets:
- Liverpool to win and over 2.5 goals
- Mohamed Salah anytime scorer
- Alexander Isak anytime scorer (debut special)
- Liverpool to score in both halves
- Total bookings over 4.5 (derby intensity)
Derby Significance & Historical Context
Merseyside Derby Importance
This fixture transcends normal league points, representing city pride, bragging rights, and historical rivalry. The emotional intensity and local significance make it one of English football’s most passionate encounters.
Cultural Significance:
- Geographic proximity creating intense local rivalry
- Family and friendship divisions across the city
- Historical context spanning over a century
- Global audience witnessing Liverpool’s most passionate fixture
- Championship defense adding extra pressure
Current Season Context
With Liverpool defending their Premier League title and Everton exceeding expectations, this derby carries additional significance for both clubs’ season trajectories.
Score Prediction & Match Outcome
Detailed Score Prediction Analysis
Primary Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Everton
Reasoning Behind Prediction:
- Liverpool’s perfect start with four wins from four matches
- Exceptional home record against Everton (1 loss in last 28 home games)
- Superior individual quality throughout Liverpool’s squad
- Alexander Isak potential debut providing additional attacking threat
- Everton’s good form suggests they’ll compete but likely fall short
Alternative Scoreline Predictions:
- High-Scoring Derby: Liverpool 4-2 Everton (20% probability)
- Comfortable Victory: Liverpool 2-0 Everton (25% probability)
- Competitive Encounter: Liverpool 2-1 Everton (22% probability)
Goal Scorer Predictions
First Goal Scorer:
- Mohamed Salah (28% chance)
- Alexander Isak (25% chance – debut factor)
- Florian Wirtz (20% chance)
Anytime Goal Scorer Predictions:
- Mohamed Salah: 75% chance
- Alexander Isak: 65% chance
- Florian Wirtz: 55% chance
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin: 35% chance
- Dwight McNeil: 30% chance
Key Factors & Match Determinants
Liverpool’s Path to Victory
Critical Success Factors:
- Utilizing Anfield atmosphere and crowd support
- Early goal to establish control and confidence
- Alexander Isak integration providing new attacking dimension
- Defensive organization limiting Everton’s counter-attacks
- Set-piece execution both offensively and defensively
Everton’s Route to Derby Upset
Essential Elements:
- Defensive discipline and organized shape
- Counter-attacking pace through wide areas
- Set-piece opportunities as primary scoring chances
- Physical approach to match Liverpool’s intensity
- Clinical finishing from rare opportunities
Weather & External Factors
Expected Conditions:
- Mild September weather on Merseyside
- Excellent pitch conditions at Anfield
- Sold-out crowd creating electric derby atmosphere
- Lunchtime kick-off enhancing global audience
- Championship defense pressure adding intensity
Match Preview Summary & Final Thoughts
The 244th Merseyside Derby promises to be a fascinating encounter between the defending Premier League champions at peak form and their city rivals exceeding early season expectations. Liverpool’s perfect start under Arne Slot, combined with their exceptional home record against Everton, makes them clear favorites.
However, Everton’s surprising 6th position demonstrates they cannot be underestimated. Their defensive organization and counter-attacking threat could pose problems for Liverpool, especially in a derby atmosphere where form often becomes secondary to passion and determination.
Liverpool’s Advantages:
- Perfect start to season with four consecutive victories
- Exceptional home record (1 loss in last 28 home games vs Everton)
- Superior individual quality and squad depth
- Potential Alexander Isak debut providing new attacking threat
- Arne Slot’s tactical evolution improving team performance
Everton’s Strengths:
- Impressive early season form with 6th position
- Defensive organization and discipline
- Derby motivation and passion
- Counter-attacking threat through pace
- Nothing-to-lose mentality as significant underdogs
Final Verdict: The prediction of a convincing Liverpool victory reflects their superior quality, perfect early season form, and historical dominance in this fixture. While Everton’s good start suggests they’ll compete with determination, Liverpool’s championship mentality and home advantage should prove decisive.
Alexander Isak’s potential debut adds intrigue, while Mohamed Salah’s lethal form and Florian Wirtz’s quick adaptation suggest Liverpool have the attacking firepower to overcome any Everton resistance. The tactical battle between Slot’s evolved system and Everton’s organized approach will be fascinating, but Liverpool’s quality should ultimately shine through in this passionate Merseyside encounter.
