Everton v Liverpool: In-form Reds can take rotation in their stride

Everton v Liverpool
Saturday, 12:30
Live on Sky Sports Premier League

Toffees in sticky spot

For Everton, the end of the season really cannot come quickly enough. With Europe well beyond their grasp and no real danger of slipping into the relegation battle, the remaining six games of the campaign hold very little interest. Well, at least those after Saturday's Merseyside derby, a game that will always jump out in the diary.

The Toffees appear to be in a holding pattern, Sam Allardyce having done enough to steer them away from disaster but not nearly enough to win over hearts and minds. The squad is thin in some areas and bloated in others, such that a summer refit will be required whether Allardyce stays in position or not.

Changes will probably be in order after the limp surrender to Manchester City last weekend, when the midfield pairing of Wayne Rooney and Morgan Schneiderlin were completely overrun. Tom Davies would be the most likely option to shore things up, while Ashley Williams could return at the back after suspension.

Reds buoyed by City success

Confidence in the Liverpool camp should be sky-high after the demolition job the Reds produced against Man City on Wednesday night. Everything went right for Jürgen Klopp's charges, who attacked with customary incision and defended as though their lives depended on it. The night and the result will live long in the memory.

Klopp, though, will be well aware that the tie is not yet over, and thus he may feel he cannot afford to throw full force at Everton on Saturday. It's a fairly swift turnaround after such an adrenaline-soaked evening, and Mo Salah, who was forced off early ay Anfield, may not be the only regular starter left out of the line-up here.

Rotation options are fairly thin on the ground, however, with Adam Lallana, Joel Matip, Joe Gomez and Emre Can all struggling with injuries. Dominic Solanke, Georginio Wijnaldum and Alberto Moreno could all get run-outs, but a few midweek heroes are likely to have to dig deep and hope to stay injury-free.

No reason for confidence in hosts

Liverpool are a much, much better side than Everton, as both the Premier League table and basic visual evidence attest. The derby has also been hugely one-sided in recent times, with Everton winning just one of the last 22 league meetings between the sides.

Yes, possible rotation is an issue, but Klopp will still feel a sense of obligation when he names his XI and even a slightly weakened side is likely to have more about it than whatever Allardyce musters. The Toffees have played six home games against members of the top six in the last 12 months, claiming just one point (0-0 against Chelsea in December), and Liverpool can add to their misery at a price of 1.99.

Attritional game in store?

Most of the recent goals in this fixture have come at Anfield; the last three games at Goodison have produced just three goals in total. That trend may well continue here, with Everton's best hope keeping things tight and Liverpool likely without their top goalscorer, with one eye on Tuesday night. Under 2.5 goals is available at 2.04.

Mané the man

If Salah misses out, much will turn on Sadio Mané's performance for Liverpool. The Senegalese flyer has been overshadowed for long chunks of the season but has scored nine goals since the turn of the year, including two in his last two games. He has also notched on his last two visits to Goodison (one for Southampton and the winner in this fixture last term) and should be available at around 3.20 come kick-off.

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