Michael Owen has predicted Liverpool to emerge 2-1 winners when they host Everton at Anfield on Sunday.
The BT Sport pundit shared that he was expecting it to be a tight match as the Toffees will make things tough for the Reds, but claimed that the extra bit of quality Jurgen Klopp’s side possess will see them secure a narrow win.
Owen then proceeded to back Reds defender Virgil Van Dijk to get on the scoresheet in Sunday’s match as he believes the centre-back can be a vital presence at set-pieces due to his aerial threat.
“In a weekend of Derby fixtures Liverpool host Everton at Anfield in the final game of the round. The Reds are not often as short for victory in this competitive fixture and the visitors is bound to have value seekers rubbing their hands in glee,” wrote Owen in his predictions for BetVictor.
“However the hosts are unbeaten and it will take a monumental effort for the Toffeemen to inflict a first loss of the campaign especially in front of the Kop. Everton have quietly come up on the rails and look a solid favourite to finish best of the rest without the big six.
“In fact they may even think a top six finish is a realistic aim and with only three defeats have shown plenty of enterprise.
“With only one defeat in their last seven Premier League fixtures they are one of the form sides and will make things tough for Liverpool.
“However Pool still have that touch of quality and squad depth their rivals may slightly lack and I expect a tight match but go for a narrow 2-1 home win.
“For those looking outside the obvious for scorer wagers, Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk has been in impressive form of late and is more than justifying the huge fee Jurgen Klopp paid for the Dutch international.
“He scored against the Blues on his debut during an FA Cup success back in January when becoming the first Liverpool player to score on debut against Everton since 1901!
“With great aerial presence and physical quality he will be vital at set pieces and I can see him notching again once more.”
OPINION
It’s actually a surprise that Van Dijk has only scored one goal for the Reds’ senior team in the 40 appearances he has made. While the 27-year-old is a defender when you consider how much of a presence he regularly is at set-pieces, you’d expect him to have a least a few more goals to his name. Yet maybe Owen is right to predict the player to score on Sunday as maybe he is saving all his Liverpool goals for when he faces off with Everton. Sunday’s encounter is sure to be an intriguing affair that will only be more important after the Reds suffered disappointment in midweek courtesy of Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. However the players and Jurgen Klopp need to quickly brush themselves down after the PSG affair as it’s important that they get a result in the Merseyside Derby. Supporters of both sides look forward to this clash every time it comes around and Reds fans will demand their side allows them to have the bragging rights.
