Liverpool’s form is on the up and the win against Anzhi in the Europa League on Thursday night will only buoy the mood on Brendan Rodgers camp.
The 219th Merseyside derby and perhaps one of the more evenly matched ones of recent times, this will be every bit as big as the Chelsea vs Manchester United game.
Everton head into today’s game arguably favourites, having created a six point gap between themselves and their neighbours from across Stanley Park. A win for The Toffees would see them create a nine point gap, something that even at this early stage would look difficult for Liverpool to make up.
Pepe Reina is expected to miss out once more with a hamstring injury, with Brad Jones continuing to deputise.
Everton will be miss one, possibly two of their key players: Steven Pienaar suspended and Marouane Fellaini is thought to be unlikely to feature due to a knee injury.
Everton (from): Howard, Distin, Jagielka, Baines, Hibbert, Neville, Osman, Fellaini, Jelavic, Mucha, Gueye, Heitinga, Anichebe, Mirallas, Naismith, Oviedo, Coleman, Vellios, Hitzlsperger.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Jones, Johnson, Enrique, Agger, Coates, Carragher, Skrtel, Wisdom, Robinson, Sahin, Gerrard, Cole, Henderson, Downing, Allen, Sterling, Shelvey, Suarez, Assaidi, Suso, Yesil.
Match officials
Referee: A Marriner; Assistants: S Ledger, S Bennett; Fourth Official: P Dowd.
