Mark Lawrenson has issued his prediction for Sunday’s Merseyside derby, plumping for a 2-0 victory for hosts Liverpool at Anfield.
The Reds enter the game two points off top spot in second, while an improved Everton side are currently sixth in the table and trying to keep pace with the Premier League’s big boys.
Lawro expects a home victory: “Under Marco Silva, Everton are one of the most improved teams in the league – but his first Merseyside derby is a very different test for him,” he wrote on the BBC Sport website. “Reds boss Jurgen Klopp knows what to expect, and he has not lost any of his six games against Everton, winning four of them.
“It is not just bragging rights that are at stake this time, because Liverpool are looking to keep up with Manchester City at the top of the table, and Everton are trying to remain on the fringes of the top four. It will be fast and furious, but I think Liverpool will win, and cure a bit of their hangover from their Champions League defeat against Paris St-Germain.”
OPINION
Lawrenson is right, Everton are much improved under Silva. The additions of Lucas Digne, Andre Gomes and, particularly, Richarlison have given this Toffees team and added dimension and made them a threat to any team in the league. Having said that, they fell short against Manchester United last month and you wonder whether they quite have it in them to take down the division’s best teams as of yet. Liverpool are undoubtedly one of the finest outfits in the top flight and the visitors will have to perform at their very best if they are to get anything from the game at Anfield. As Lawro points out, Klopp has an excellent track record in the derby, whereas Silva will be experiencing it for the first time. There is no local clash at Hull City or Watford to prepare him for the atmosphere that awaits him on Sunday, and it will be interesting to see how the Portuguese handles it. Will he go out all guns blazing with his team selection, or will he look to sit back and frustrate the Reds? Who knows what will happen, but 2-0 seems as good a bet as any.
