The Merseyside derby is like earth and sky

Liverpool, Beritasatu.com – The Merseyside derby at Goodison Park will be in the spotlight on Thursday (24/2/2024) early this morning. Liverpool are fighting to become Premier League champions, while their neighbors, Everton, are facing relegation.

The Reds enjoyed a drama-free 3-1 win over Fulham on Sunday, while Sean Dyche's men managed to overcome relegation rivals Nottingham Forest 2-0.

Two goals from Idrissa Gueye and Dwight McNeil earned Everton victory, which lifted them five points above the relegation zone in 16th place

However, Everton's win was accompanied by controversy after Nottingham Forest claimed there was dishonesty from the VAR referee regarding a penalty they believed should have been awarded to them.

Liverpool bounced back from their humiliating 3-0 defeat against Atalanta at Anfield with a narrow 1-0 win last week in the second leg of the Europa League and a 3-1 win at home to Fulham.

Fulham right-back Timothy Castagne equalized after a Trent Alexander-Arnold free-kick, but second-half goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota sealed the Reds' win over the Cottagers.

Jurgen Klopp's side moved up to second in the standings behind Arsenal who have a better goal difference, but Manchester City's extra game means that the crown could still go to the reigning champions.

Everton's Beto is set to miss the derby along with Lewis Dobbin (ankle), Dele Alli (thigh) and Nathan Patterson, whose thigh injury is expected to hamper his chances of representing Scotland at Euro 2024.

Seamus Coleman is still out with his groin injury, but Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are both fit.

Meanwhile, Liverpool remain without Joel Matip (knee), Ben Doak (knee), Thiago Alcantara (muscle) and Conor Bradley (ankle).

Klopp revealed on Tuesday that Diogo Jota has a hip problem and will be out for two weeks.

The following is the approximate line-up:

Everton:
Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison, Onana, Gueye, McNeil; Doucoure; Calvert-Lewin

Liverpool:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz