The Transfer Tavern will be at full capacity for the first Merseyside derby of the season, and most punters are expecting a comprehensive victory for Liverpool.

Injuries to key players such as Coutinho, Can and Matip in recent weeks have halted the Reds’ momentum, but the Reds have a fantastic record against the Toffees that does not look like changing on Monday.

While Liverpool have lost their unbeaten streak and suffered another shock defeat against Burnley, the Reds’ quality has not miraculously evaporated and they should be confident that they can overturn a struggling Everton side.

Considering the Toffees’ manager Ronald Koeman has admitted that the whole squad is ‘underperforming’, and the fact that he has been unable to establish a solid defence, the devastating Reds’ attack should be able to put a few past Stekelenburg. 

What’s more, Lukaku looks a shadow of his former self, and more like the player the doubters thought he was – cumbersome and lazy. Ross Barkley has also failed to kick-on after impressing early on in the Everton strip.

There are not many Everton players that can hurt Liverpool, even if the Reds’ defence is not their strong point. Liverpool should go to Goodison Park full of confidence and impose themselves on their city rivals.

Let me know if you agree with my Liverpool XI in the comments below…

GK: Loris Karius

Despite incurring the wrath of plenty of fans in the Transfer Tavern in recent weeks, dropping the German keeper to only replace him with a bona fide under-par keeper in Mignolet seems very short sighted.

Karius showed his potential last season in the Bundesliga, and having barely played ten competitive games, the best of him is yet to come. This time, Carragher and Neville are wrong.

RB: Nathaniel Clyne

Despite his defensive faults, the England right back is a modern-day athlete. Quick and powerful, Clyne can get up and down the line and provide a useful outlet that helps stretch the Toffees’ defence.

The young Trent-Alexander has performed brilliantly for the Reds this season, but his inexperience and lack of physicality means playing him in the derby is too much of a risk. The international Clyne is a shoe-in at right back.

CB: Joel Matip

Enjoying a purple patch since his move from Schalke for free in the summer, the big defender is proving more than just a bargain for Liverpool, but instead rather essential to their title hopes this season.

He has already become a firm favourite amongst Reds’ fans in the Transfer Tavern, and adding another goal to his account in the derby will further enamour himself to fans across the world.

CB: Dejan Lovren

Having overcome his injury, Dejan Lovren is one-half of a crucial partnership with Joel Matip. Liverpool’s defensive record when these two play next to each other is significantly better than when they do not.

Furthermore, Lovren will relish the chance to score another big goal like he did against Borussia Dortmund in last season’s Europa League semi-final.

LB: James Milner

His form may have dipped since returning from injury, but the England international has proven adept at plying his trade in a fairly unfamiliar position. His steady performances and fantastic work-rate has seen him keep Alberto Moreno out of the first XI.

The derby is not the time to risk playing someone as hotheaded as the Spaniard, and Milner’s experience and good record from the spot should be enough to keep his place.

CM: Adam Lallana

An absolute delight to watch the ball at his feet, Adam Lallana has finally started adding goals to his game this season. Klopp has no doubt demanded more from the England man, and Lallana has duly obliged scoring four goals already this season.

If he can resist dallying on the ball or Cruyff-turning at every opportunity, Lallana can be a game-changer for the Reds on Monday.

CM: Jordan Henderson

The Liverpool captain is one of the most underrated players in the league. Walk into the Transfer Tavern on a match day and punters and Koppites alike are split on his abilities and his suitability as captain.

The fact is that the three-man midfield requires a holding midfielder to perform duties that escape the flashy YouTube highlights. The former Sunderland man has also vastly improved his range of passing and shooting, and is a crucial part of Liverpool’s midfield. At worst, his physicality and stamina will be enough to disrupt Everton’s midfield.

CM: Georginio Wijnaldum

After the Dutch midfielder took a little while to settle into Liverpool’s midfield after his switch from Newcastle, he has settled into rhythm and started to look more at home in a top Premier League side.

Yet another player blessed with a terrific engine, ‘Wij’, as many of the Reds in the Transfer Tavern refer to him, can help the defence one moment and support the attack the next. Liverpool will need his energy to overrun Everton’s midfield on Monday.

RW: Sadio Mane

Having just lost out to the Mahrez in the BBC African Footballer of the Year award, the Senegalese footballer has made a real difference to the Liverpool attack this season.

Electric off the mark with a terrific stamina, Mane has the perfect attributes to be a world-class footballer under Klopp. Having started very brightly this term, Liverpool fans will be hoping he can score his way back into top form by bagging a few against the Toffees.

LW: Roberto Firmino

Known affectionately as Bobby, the Reds’ punters in the Transfer Tavern know of the Brazilian’s qualities. However, he has been a little quiet of late, not exerting the same influence on games as he has in the past.

Being confined to the left isn’t Firmino’s best position, so Milner will have to help his teammate by providing width down the line. This will enable the Brazilian attacker to float inside and link-up with his teammates, giving Liverpool’s attack crucial impetus.

ST: Divock Origi

Another Liverpool player in a rich vein of form and quickly becoming a fans’ favourite, the Belgian striker will do his status no harm at all by scoring again in the derby.

With an abundance of talents to match his physical attributes, Origi can torment the Toffees’ defence with his pace and power. His height is also a useful option for Liverpool’s fullbacks. A truly all-round centre-forward.