Liverpool v Everton: Big Sam Faces Tough Task in Stopping Rampant Reds

It’s the 229th Merseyside Derby this Sunday afternoon – Kick-off 14:15 – as Liverpool host local rivals Everton in the next chapter of their long-standing rivalry.

Perhaps not from a statistical standpoint, it could be argued that Jurgen Klopp’s side are the form team in the Premier League right now. Liverpool are in such blistering form of late to the extent that opposing teams are usually begging for mercy after just 45 minutes.

The red half of Merseyside have hit 15 goals in their last three outings in domestic and European football, as the attacking quartet of Phillipe Coutinho, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino are causing complete havoc to their rivals.

By contrast, Everton – who recently appointed Sam Allardyce to be their new manager – have not hit their lofty expectations so far this season. The Toffees currently sit in tenth place in the Premier League table, but can offer some useful recent form with home victories over West Ham and Huddersfield last week.

A trip to Anfield will be a completely different proposition for Allardyce and his Everton team though, as the Blues face a stern test against a goal-hungry Liverpool side.

Match Odds

It certainly doesn’t take the brains of Albert Einstein to figure out that Liverpool are the bookmakers’ favourites to claim the spoils on Sunday afternoon. Backers of the Reds can go to SkyBet for the best price at the time of writing of 1/3 for Klopp’s men to make it eight league away outings without a win for Everton this season.

The draw is next best at 26/5 with Unibet, while an Everton victory can be taken with Bet Victor at the distinctly large odds of 11/1 with Paddy Power.

Considering their strong recent form, it is highly likely that Liverpool will win this game – and probably with something to spare. Everton will play their part in another hard-fought local derby, but Klopp’s men should ultimately have too much attacking nous for the Toffees.

Individual Goal Scorers

Following his summer move from Roma, Egyptian forward, Mohamed Salah has been sensational in a Liverpool shirt this season. The 25-year-old has hit 12 league goals since his move to Merseyside, and is currently the Premier League’s top scorer. It will therefore be no surprise to see Salah as the market leader at the best price of 7/2 with bet365 to open the scoring in this game.

Fellow Liverpool strikers, Daniel Sturridge, Firmino and Mane all follow closely behind Salah, with Sturridge and Firmino both 4/1 chances, again with bet365 to open the scoring. Senegalese forward, Mane is my idea of the first goal scorer however, and the former Southampton man can be taken at 9/2 with bet365 and Boylesports in a bet of greater value.

Everton’s leading hope of opening the scoring rests with former Manchester United star, Wayne Rooney, who is a top-priced 12/1 chance with bet365. Other Everton hopefuls are Oumar Niasse, Sandro Ramirez and Dominic Calvert-Lewin who are all 14/1 shots, again, with bet365. For one at a big price, centre-back Ashley Williams is a whopping 80/1 shot with several firms including SkyBet, Ladbrokes and Coral.

Other Side Bets

Only Stoke and West Ham have leaked more goals in the Premier League than Everton so far this season, and while Sam Allardyce will attempt to set up his team to stifle his opponents, the likelihood will be that Liverpool will be too strong for their neighbours in this fixture. The Reds are usually fast starters – in games at Anfield in particular – so the offer of 10/11 with Ladbrokes for Liverpool to be leading at Half-time and Full-time should not be ignored.

A personal vision for this game is that Liverpool will dominate Everton and win this contest with something to spare. With that in mind, a 3-1 Correct Score bet at the tempting odds of 41/4 with 10Bet should be considered.

This game will show how quickly Allardyce has got to grips with his new team on the training pitch. It is a baptism of fire for his first away fixture however, and anything gained from Everton’s trip across Stanley Park would be a huge effort – unfortunately, my view can only see a comfortable Liverpool win.

Best Bets

• Liverpool Half-time/Full-time at 10/11 with Ladbrokes
• Sadio Mane First Goalscorer at 9/2 with bet365
• Liverpool 3-1 Everton Correct Score bet at 41/4 with 10Bet.