Derby Weekend - Saturday: Merseyside Derby Preview Everton vs Liverpool

Liverpool face Everton in the Merseyside Derby on Saturday. The English Premier League clash between the two could not come at a better time for the Reds who are fresh from defeating Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League. The Liverpool team played their hearts out in that match which makes one wonder if they will have enough energy and drive for the match against their local rivals. First of all, the fans have to behave in the match otherwise there could be serious repercussions on the day. Liverpool are expected to lineup without their star forward, Mo Salah who is the current top goal scorer in the EPL with 29. The Egyptian genius was forced off the field with a suspected groin injury in their last match and his manager, Jurgen Klopp, has said that he will not risk playing the player if he is not 100% fit. The player has been recovering in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. Adam Lallana, Joel Matip, and Joe Gomez are the other absentees from Klopp’s side. Danny Ings is looking likely to start the match which affords a well-deserved rest to Firmino.

Everton manager Sam Allardyce believes that the derby came at the right time and could be their opportunity to claim some bragging rights over a club that is focused on the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. He plans on nullifying Liverpool attack. Everton are expected to have Idrissa Gana Gueye back to compete after missing the club’s last match against Manchester City last weekend. Ashley Williams also returns after completing a 3 match ban. The blues will be looking to get one over Liverpool after having only won 1 of their last 22 meetings with the club in the league. What’s your prediction of the early kickoff? Will Everton finally best Liverpool in the league after a long struggle?

The young defender does not mind the increased competition

England International Joe Gomez continues his development after joining the first team fold at his club last year. The defender sees himself as a sponge who is learning a lot from the experienced Virgil Van Dijk who joined the club in a record deal. Some questions were being raised about his future and what this meant for Gomez but he has since proved that he is still important as he has filled in for the injured Clyne in the right-back position. Van Dijk’s move might have slowed the young player’s progress as a central defender but the player sees this as an opportunity to learn from the world’s most expensive defender. He commends the experienced player’s presence and quality on the ball. That is something he hopes will rub onto himself after an impressive season which has resulted in him being called to represent his country England in the friendlies against Netherlands and Italy.