Everton vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction tonight

Liverpool secured a comprehensive Merseyside derby win against Everton on Wednesday evening, firing four impressive goals past the Toffees at Goodison Park as Rafael Benitez suffered a tough night against his old club.

Jordan Henderson got the scoring under way with a firm first-time finish from the edge of the area inside the first 10 minutes, before going on to produce a stellar performance. Mohamed Salah doubled the visitors’ lead at the end of a thrilling counter-attack, but Demarai Gray would pull one back for Everton later in the first half, slotting a calm finish under Alisson.

Salah sealed his brace after the break, however, pouncing on a terrible error by Seamus Coleman to run through on goal and tuck a low shot past Jordan Pickford – who, despite the eventual scoreline, impressed with numerous top saves throughout the game. Diogo Jota would round out the scoring as the final 10 minutes approached, turning his man with an inventive first touch before slamming a finish high into the Everton net. The result kept Jurgen Klopp’s third-placed Liverpool one point behind second Manchester City and two points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea – with City and the Blues both also winning on Wednesday night.

Follow all the post-match reaction below:

Read More

Liverpool run riot in Merseyside derby on torturous night for Everton and Rafael Benitez

Everton vs Liverpool player ratings as Mohamed Salah stars in Reds’ Merseyside derby victory

Everton vs Liverpool

• Everton XI: Pickford, Coleman, Keane, Godfrey, Digne, Allan, Doucoure, Gray, Townsend, Richarlison, Rondon

• Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago, Salah, Jota, Mane

• 9 mins: Henderson opens scoring with long-range, first-time effort

• 19 mins: Salah doubles Liverpool’s lead to finish slick counter-attack

• 38 mins: Gray pulls one back for Everton by slotting under Alisson

• 64 mins: Salah pounces on Coleman error to pull Liverpool clear again

Liverpool run riot in Merseyside derby on torturous night for Everton and Rafael Benitez

22:30 , Michael Jones

The nightmare scenario happened for the home supporters and it was far more searing than they could’ve ever envisioned. There were 21 minutes on the clock when Rafael Benitez had his name sung at Goodison Park as Everton manager for the first time, but the 2,902 voices belonged to Liverpool’s gloating section.

The scoreboard read to the title contenders then. The Spaniard would be serenaded by more chants when his team had two more goals smashed past them to compound their overwhelming misery of an eight match winless run.

Liverpool run riot in Merseyside derby on torturous night for Everton

Everton 1 - 4 Liverpool

22:28 , Michael Jones

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is the first Liverpool player to score and assist at Goodison Park in the same Premier League game since Steven Gerrard in December 2005.

Everton vs Liverpool player ratings as Mohamed Salah stars in Reds’ Merseyside derby victory

22:24 , Michael Jones

Liverpool emerged victorious from the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Wednesday night, with Mohamed Salah starring yet again as the Reds downed rivals Everton with relative ease.

Here’s how each player fared:

Everton vs Liverpool player ratings as Mohamed Salah stars in Reds’ derby victory

Everton 1 - 4 Liverpool

22:20 , Michael Jones

Mo Salah is the first Liverpool player to score twice away at Everton in the Merseyside derby since Fernando Torres in September 2008.

Everton 1 - 4 Liverpool

22:17 , Michael Jones

Liverpool have scored 43 league goals this season, more than any other side within Europe’s big five leagues (Bayern Munich, 42). 25 of those have come away from home, which after seven matches is the most in the top-flight since Burnley back in 1961-62.

Everton 1 - 4 Liverpool

22:14 , Michael Jones

There’s no changes at the top of the Premier League table as Chelsea (33), Manchester City (32) and Liverpool (31) all won tonight. That means just two points separate the top three teams.

Everton meanwhile continue to struggle. They’ve picked up just two points from from a possible 24 in the league. They’re still 14th in the table but will get drawn into a relegation battle unless they can pick up some points soon.

Full-time: Everton 1 - 4 Liverpool

22:10 , Michael Jones

90+3 mins: There goes the full-time whistle. Liverpool, have cruised to a 4-1 win at Goodison Park. It’s the heaviest home Merseyside derby defeat for Everton in 39 years. Jordan Henderson, Mo Salah (x2) and Diogo Jota found the back of the net for the Reds who maintain their pressure on Chelsea at the top of the table. A goal from Demarai Gray kept Everton interested for a while but in the end Liverpool were just a cut above their rivals.

Everton 1 - 4 Liverpool

22:06 , Michael Jones

90 mins: Three minutes of stoppage time to play. That’s time for another goal but neither team looks likely to get one. Liverpool are content to keep hold of possession and Everton are struggling to win it back.

Everton 1 - 4 Liverpool

22:04 , Michael Jones

89 mins: Takumi Minamino replaces Diogo Jota for the last few minutes of the game. Everton work the ball out to the left wing where Digne curls a cross into the box but James Milner brings it down and clears the Liverpool lines.

Everton 1 - 4 Liverpool

22:02 , Michael Jones

86 mins: Mo Salah gets the ball on the right wing and prods it into the box before sprinting in behind Lucas Digne. The loose ball rolls away from his though and Michael Keane boots it at the Liverpool forward winning a goal kick as the ball hits Salah and bounces behind.

Everton 1 - 4 Liverpool

22:00 , Michael Jones

83 mins: Cenk Tosun comes on for Everton replacing Demarai Gray. It’s his first appearance of the season for the Toffees.

Milner slide the ball down the left wing to Jota who gets tackled. He hits the deck but the referee lets play go on. Everton look to play the ball out from the back but Sadio Mane comes across and nicks the ball back.

GOAL! Everton 1 - 4 Liverpool (Jota, 79’)⚽️

21:55 , Michael Jones

79 mins: Oh my! James Milner sends the ball out to Andy Robertson on the left wing. He passes it into the box to Diogo Jota who leans on Allan before shifting the ball around the Everton midfielder to turn towards goal. He gets into space and blasts a left-footed strike past Jordan Pickford to seal the points for Liverpool!

Everton 1 - 3 Liverpool

21:52 , Michael Jones

78 mins: It looks like the former. Liverpool are passing the ball around comfortably despite the attempted press from Everton. A poor pass gives the home side the ball and it’s sent quickly up to Richarlison. He plays a blind first time pass across the front of the box hoping to play Gordon in behind Van Dijk but the Liverpool centre-back intercepts the pass and the attack breaks down.

Everton 1 - 3 Liverpool

21:50 , Michael Jones

75 mins: Gordon pushes Mane over on Liverpool’s left wing, Thiago is replaced with James Milner for Liverpool. 15 minutes to go at Goodison Park. Will Liverpool see out this game or is there another twist still to come?

Everton 1 - 3 Liverpool

21:48 , Michael Jones

73 mins: Andros Towsend is replaced with Fabian Delph by Rafa Benitez. The Liverpool fans can be heard singing and cheering in the stands, they’re enjoying themselves.

Delph’s first touch gives the ball away to Henderson who plays Salah in down the right. He tries to weave into the box but loses the ball.

Everton 1 - 3 Liverpool

21:47 , Michael Jones

70 mins: Gray gets stopped by Fabinho just inside the Liverpool half and Everton work the free kick down the left flank. The ball is sent out for a throw in and Liverpool force the home side to knock the ball back to Pickford.

Everton 1 - 3 Liverpool

21:42 , Michael Jones

67 mins: It’s going to be a difficult task for Everton now. Whilst there was only one goal between the teams they had a chance of getting something from the game but Liverpool won’t throw this lead away now.

GOAL! Everton 1 - 3 Liverpool (Salah, 64’)⚽️

21:40 , Michael Jones

64 mins: Andros Townsend hits the free kick and rattles his shot into the Liverpool wall winning a corner for Everton. Liverpool clear the set piece and the ball comes to Demarai Gray. He passes it back at an awkward height to Seamus Coleman who can’t bring the ball under control and he loses possession to a high pressing Mo Salah. Salah drives up the pitch, takes the ball into the box and slots it coolly under Jordan Pickford to restore Liverpool’s two goal lead.

Everton 1 - 2 Liverpool

21:38 , Michael Jones

62 mins: Good work from Michael Keane as he gets in front of Joel Matip to win the ball from an Andy Robertson corner. He heads it behind for a repeat set piece but Jordan Pickford comes out to meet the second cross and punches it out of the box.

Everton then fly up the pitch and look to play Anthony Gordon in through the middle of the box. Robertson comes across and sticks out a leg, there doesn’t seem to be an awful lot of contact but Gordon goes down just outside the area and Robertson is shown a yellow card.

Everton 1 - 2 Liverpool

21:34 , Michael Jones

59 mins: Everton sweep forward on the mini counter-attack. Doucoure sends the ball out to Gray on the right wing and he whips an early cross into the box. Richarlison seems to be the target but Alisson comes out and catches the ball right in front of the Brazilian’s head.

Salomon Rondon is replaced with Anthony Gordan for the Toffees.

Everton 1 - 2 Liverpool

21:31 , Michael Jones

56 mins: Liverpool win a free kick about 25-yards out from goal. Virgil van Dijk places the ball and he drills one at goal. It’s a poor effort and the ball smacks straight into the wall before bouncing out to Salah. He sends it quickly over to Alexander-Arnold who crosses it into the box. The clearance comes to Thiago and his effort from range is volleyed wide of the near post.

Everton 1 - 2 Liverpool

21:27 , Michael Jones

53 mins: Demarai Gray takes the ball down the Everton left, he drops a shoulder and cuts back inside before whipping a cross into the middle of the box. Richarlison is there but Matip nips in front of him and heads the ball out for an Everton corner.

The corner is delviered into the box but Liverpool boot it away.

Everton 1 - 2 Liverpool

21:24 , Michael Jones

51 mins: Chance! Liverpool come close to a third after winning the ball in the middle of the park. Alexander-Arnold bursts through the middle of the pitch before slotting the ball to Mane in the box. It’s very close to being offside but the flag stays down and Mane belts a right-footed effort at goal only to be denied by Godfrey throwing himself in front of the shot to make the block.

Everton 1 - 2 Liverpool

21:22 , Michael Jones

48 mins: Everton win a throw on on the right side. It comes to Richarlison in the box and he flicks it over to Rondon who is tackled by Van Dijk. The ball loops into the air as Rondon goes down but Alisson comes out and claims it. There’s a slight appeal to the referee for a penalty but nothing comes of it.

Second half: Everton 1 - 2 Liverpool

21:20 , Michael Jones

Kick off: There hasn’t been changes in personnel at half-time as Everton get the game back underway. The ball is booted long down the left wing but Liverpool work it clear.

Sign up to The Independent’s free weekly sports newsletters

21:15 , Michael Jones

To sign up to our free sport newsletters for regular updates straight to your inbox.

Whether you would like a weekly rundown direct from our chief football writer Miguel Delaney or you want weekly sport digest from our sport editor Ben Burrows you can sign up by clicking here and scrolling to the sport section.

News | The Independent | Today's headlines and latest breaking news | The Independent

Salah’s brilliant form continues

21:12 , Michael Jones

Mo Salah has been directly involved in at least one goal in each of his last 12 Premier League appearances (11 goals, 7 assists), the third player to achieve that feat after Stan Collymore (12, March - August 1995) and Jamie Vardy (15, August - December 2015).

Everton 1 - 2 Liverpool

21:09 , Michael Jones

Goals from Jordan Henderson, Mo Salah and Demarai Gray mean this match is delicately poised at half-time. The next goal could be a big one, if Everton score it they’re back in the game but a third for Liverpool may just take the match away from the Toffees.

Half-time: Everton 1 - 2 Liverpool

21:06 , Michael Jones

45+3 mins: Liverpool take a slender lead into the break. They dominated for most of that half but Everton’s goal has sparked life back into the contest. Jordan Henderson and Mo Salah gave the Reds a comfortable lead but a chance fell to Demarai Gray and he took it.

Everton 1 - 2 Liverpool

21:02 , Michael Jones

45 mins: Three minutes of added time to play at the end of the first half. Both teams will want to get in and regroup. Salah brings the ball to the right side of the Everton box and lays it off to Henderson. He floats a cross in towards Mane who fires a header at the goal but Pickford is there to palm the effort away!

Everton 1 - 2 Liverpool

21:00 , Michael Jones

41 mins: We’ve suddenly got a game on at Goodison Park. Liverpool may be a bit at fault for slowing their tempo but Everton have hung in their and took their chance.

Doucoure pokes a pass into Gray who looks to take on Alexander-Arnold and Fabinho. He steps over the ball and goes to ground on the edge of the box. Fabinho raises his hands in bewilderment and the referee pulls out another yellow card, booking Gray for diving.

GOAL! Everton 1 - 2 Liverpool (Gray, 38’)⚽️

20:54 , Michael Jones

38 mins: Hope for Everton! They get one back. Allan sends a pass up to Richarlison who quickly squares it into the middle where Demarai Gray picks up the ball. He drives towards the box cutting in between the Liverpool centre-backs as Alisson comes off his line. Gray slots his shot through the legs of the Liverpool goalkeeper and into the back of the net! Cool finish from the Everton winger.

Everton 0 - 2 Liverpool

20:54 , Michael Jones

37 mins: Liverpool have taken control of the game again by maintaining possession and slowly working their way up the pitch. Alexander-Arnold swings a cross in from the right but he doesn’t have anyone running into the box and Pickford collects the bouncing ball without too much trouble.

Everton 0 - 2 Liverpool

20:50 , Michael Jones

34 mins: Townsend and Robertson collide and the Liverpool man takes a knock to the face. There’s a bit of blood to mop up but he’ll be alright to play on.

Everton 0 - 2 Liverpool

20:48 , Michael Jones

32 mins: Everton’s free kick some to nothing for the home team and Liverpool look to come forward. A mis-timed back pass sees Jota and Allan both chasing down a loose and Allan slides in to win it. He follows through and takes out the Liverpool forward earning himself a yellow card for dangerous play. The Everton fans are not happen about that decision and neither is Jota who wants the referee to pull out a red card.

Everton 0 - 2 Liverpool

20:46 , Michael Jones

29 mins: Everton are responding slowly. They’ve whipped a couple of crosses into the Liverpool box but both have been delat with by Van Dijk. Allan then attempts to weave his way through the midfield and gets brought down by Thiago. Free kick to the home side.

Everton 0 - 2 Liverpool

20:43 , Michael Jones

26 mins: Sadio Mane fires one at goal from the inside right channel and Pickford parries it away just as a second ball comes flying onto the pitch. Thiago boots that one out of the playing area as Robertson keeps the actual ball alive on the left wing. He pulls it back to Thiago who also shoots from range but his effort is blocked by Ben Godfrey.

Everton 0 - 2 Liverpool

20:40 , Michael Jones

23 mins: Liverpool have now scored 500 Premier League under Jurgen Klopp. They’re dominating this game and it could be a humiliating scoreline for Everton if things continue as they are.

GOAL! Everton 0 - 2 Liverpool (Salah, 19’)⚽️

20:36 , Michael Jones

19 mins: Salah’s on the scoresheet! Caught on the ball in the middle of the park Everton are forced to retreat as Diogo Jota prods the ball to Henderson. Salah flies down the right wing and Henderson sends it up to him. Seamus Coleman is caught on his heels trying to get back in time but Salah is past him in a flash after poking the ball into the box. There’s just Pickford left to beat and Salah opens his body up and curls a left-footed strike into the far top corner. Great finish, great goal.

Everton 0 - 1 Liverpool

20:35 , Michael Jones

18 mins: Everton work the ball into the Liverpool box from a corner but Alisson comes out to punch it away. He doesn’t send it very far though and needs the help of Virgil van Dijk to complete the clearance.

Everton 0 - 1 Liverpool

20:34 , Michael Jones

15 mins: Andros Townsend is booked for simulation! Joel Matip gets lucky after giving the ball away to Doucoure. He slides Townsend down the right wing and the Everton midfielder takes on Robertson. He shifts the ball away from the Liverpool left-back just as the tackle comes in. Robertson seemingly pulls out of the challenge but Townsend goes down in the box. Paul Tierney awards Liverpool a free kick and books Townsend for diving. The replays show that there was minimal contact so it’s a good decision from the referee.

Everton 0 - 1 Liverpool

20:30 , Michael Jones

12 mins: Allan brings the ball into the right-side of the Liverpool box and passes it to Abdoulaye Doucoure on the front edge. He’s put under pressure from the Liverpool defenders and forced to retreat. Everton send the ball over to Demarai Gray on the opposite side of the pitch, he cuts inside and skews a shot from range well wide of the back post.

GOAL! Everton 0 - 1 Liverpool (Henderson, 9’)⚽️

20:27 , Michael Jones

9 mins: What a finish! A long ball from Jordan Henderson comes up to Sadio Mane who brings the ball under control and takes it into the left-side of the box. Andy Robertson comes forward on the overlap and receives Mane’s pass. Robertson pulls the ball back to the edge of the box where Henderson arrives and curls a beautiful effort into the near top corner!

Everton 0 - 0 Liverpool

20:24 , Michael Jones

8 mins: Liverpool win another corner on the right side and Alexander-Arnold swings another decent cross into the box. Salomon Rondon is back though and he wins the ball, heading it away to clear the Everton lines.

Save! Pickford to the rescue as Liverpool work the ball over to the left side of the pitch. Sadio Mane carries it into the box and pulls the ball back to Salah in the middle. He turns the ball towards goal with a first time shot but Pickford leaps low to his right and keeps the shot out with a strong right-hand.

Everton 0 - 0 Liverpool

20:21 , Michael Jones

5 mins: Chance! Liverpool should be two up already! Andy Robertson brings the ball down the left wing before flicking it up to Diogo Jota. He brings the ball to the byline and chips it into Mo Salah who’s made a nice run into the six-yard box. Salah meets it on the volley but can’t get over the top of the ball and boots it over the crossbar!

Everton 0 - 0 Liverpool

20:19 , Michael Jones

3 mins: Chance! He needs to score there! The corner is swung into the middle of the box and Joel Matip is wide open. He jumps and wins the header but misses the target firing his effort wide of the back post.

Everton 0 - 0 Liverpool

20:18 , Michael Jones

Kick off: Both teams take the knee before Liverpool get the match underway. The ball is sent long down the left wing but Everton win the ball and knock it back to Jordan Pickford. He boots it back down the pitch and the ball drops to Trent Alexander-Arnold. He slots a lovely pass up to Sadio Mane and a lack of communication between Michael Keane and Pickford sends the ball out for a Liverpool corner.

Everton vs Liverpool

20:12 , Michael Jones

Here come the teams. The 239th Merseyside derby is ready to go. The Reds could lose consecutive Premier League games on the road for the first time since February 2017 if Everton are victorious tonight. The teams make their way onto the pitch from different ends of the stadium. Jordan Henderson leads out Liverpool with Seamus Coleman at the head of the Everton team.

Is the Premier League about to get its first proper three-team title race?

20:08 , Michael Jones

When Thomas Tuchel comes in after games and scans the other results, he doesn’t automatically go to Liverpool or Manchester City. At least not yet.

“There are some teams behind us who show consistency, who show quality, who show determination,” the Chelsea manager said last week. “This is what it is. You have a right to be proud of your competition here, in the Premier League, and for us it feels good because we are in the middle of that race and we want to stay here. I don’t know if it will settle down.”

There is a bit of a giveaway, though, as the top of the table starts to give way. All of Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool have goal differences of plus-20 – and an aggregate of plus-74 – which is way out in front of everyone else in the division.

Is the Premier League about to get its first proper three-team title race?

Everton vs Liverpool: Liverpool’s star man

20:05 , Michael Jones

Mohamed Salah has 19 direct goal involvements this season - 11 goals and eight assists - the most of any player in the top five European leagues.

Virgil Van Dijk may find Merseyside derby injury ‘difficult to forget’, Jurgen Klopp believes

20:00 , Michael Jones

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits it may be difficult for Virgil Van Dijk to forget what happened to him on his last visit to Goodison Park for a Merseyside derby.

Just over 13 months ago the Holland captain lasted just 11 minutes before an unpunished reckless challenge by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and prematurely ended his season in mid-October.

Virgil Van Dijk may find derby injury ‘difficult to forget’, Jurgen Klopp believes

Everton vs Liverpool: Jota’s on fire in front of goal

19:56 , Michael Jones

Diogo Jota has scored eight goals in his last 11 Premier League starts including a brace against Southampton last time out.

Everton vs Liverpool: Bad signs for Everton

19:51 , Michael Jones

Everton are one short of becoming the first club to lose 400 Premier League matches. A 10th home defeat of 2021 would equal the club top-flight record at Goodison Park in a calendar year.

The Toffees can fail to score in four successive Premier League games for the first time since April 2006 under David Moyes but they have only lost one of their last 13 midweek league fixtures with seven wins and five draws.

Everton desperate for a result against Liverpool, Abdoulaye Doucoure admits

19:48 , Michael Jones

Midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure admits Everton need a result in the 239th Merseyside derby.

Tonight’s match will see Jurgen Klopp’s high-flying side make the short trip across Stanley Park to face former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez at Goodison.

The injury-ravaged home side have not won in seven matches, taking just two points from a possible 21 and have slipped to 14th, five points off the bottom three.

Everton desperate for a result against Liverpool, Abdoulaye Doucoure admits

Everton vs Liverpool: Liverpool’s attacking prowess

19:45 , Michael Jones

Liverpool have won four league games by four or more goals this season - twice as many as in the whole of last season and one more than in their title-winning season of 2019-20.

They could become only the second Premier League team - after Manchester United in 2020 - to score at least twice in 10 successive away matches.

Which is doable as Liverpool have netted 498 Premier League goals under Jurgen Klopp.

Everton vs Liverpool: Benitez vs Klopp

19:41 , Michael Jones

Napoli’s 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund in the 2013-14 Champions League is Rafa Benitez’s only victory in seven matches versus Jurgen Klopp. Klopp was also sent off in that game.

Benitez was in charge of 350 competitive games for Liverpool and guided them to winning the 2004-05 Champions League, 2005 European Super Cup and 2005-06 FA Cup.

His three defeats in 14 Merseyside derbies as Liverpool manager all came at Goodison Park.

Thiago Alcantara and Diogo Jota help paint picture of Liverpool’s tactical evolution

19:36 , Michael Jones

In the aftermath of Storm Liverpool, Ralph Hasenhuttl was still a little shook, still a lot in awe. The Southampton manager was at pains to try and paint how “hard it is to defend against a team on fire,” whose final-third play was “unbelievable” and underlined why they are “one of the very best in the world”.

What the Saints were subjected to at Anfield, beyond coming unstuck by their change of system, was the utter ferocity of Liverpool’s offensive play. The Merseysiders have scored twice or more in 17 consecutive games. Their 13 league matches have produced 39 goals for the 2020 champions; their highest total at this stage of a top-flight campaign.

Thiago and Jota help paint picture of Liverpool’s tactical evolution

Everton vs Liverpool: Records for the Reds

19:32 , Michael Jones

Liverpool are just the second team in Football League history to score at least twice in 17 consecutive matches in all competitions, emulating Sunderland in 1927.

The Reds have scored 39 league goals this season, their highest-ever total at this stage of a top-flight campaign. They have kept a clean sheet in each of their last 10 Premier League victories, including all eight this campaign.

Everton vs Liverpool: Struggling Toffees

19:28 , Michael Jones

Everton are winless in seven Premier League games, their longest sequence since April 2016 under Roberto Martinez. The Toffees have only scored four goals and conceded 13 during that run.

Their tally of two points from those seven fixtures is the lowest of any Premier League team.

Merseyside derby a chance for Everton to ‘put things right’, Rafa Benitez claims

19:25 , Michael Jones

Everton’s former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez sees Wednesday’s 239th Merseyside derby as an opportunity to “put things right”.

Benitez’s side have not won in seven matches, taking just two points from a possible 21, and if the Spaniard’s troubles were not significant enough he now has to find a way of stopping the club across Stanley Park he managed for six years.

“With Newcastle, Chelsea – even with Valencia in the past – I’ve played against Liverpool. Now it’s Everton and this time it is different,” he said.

Merseyside derby a chance for Everton to ‘put things right’, Rafa Benitez claims

Everton vs Liverpool: Team changes

19:20 , Michael Jones

Rafa Benitez makes two changes to the Everton starting XI as he prepares for the Merseyside derby. Alex Iwobi and Anthony Gordon both drop to the bench with Richarlison and Demarai Gray both returning to the line-up.

Jurgen Klopp tweaks his back line with Joel Matip replacing Ibrahima Konate in the only change to Liverpool’s starting XI from the team that defeated Southampton 4-0 last time out.

Everton vs Liverpool: Line-ups

19:15 , Michael Jones

Everton XI: Pickford, Coleman, Keane, Godfrey, Digne, Allan, Doucoure, Gray, Townsend, Richarlison, Rondon

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago, Salah, Jota, Mane

Daunting Merseyside derby arrives for Rafael Benitez with dread of humiliation to high-flying Liverpool

19:11 , Michael Jones

This is the situation that Rafa Benitez dreaded. His Everton team have picked up only two points in seven games and have not won for more than two months.

Tonight they face a rampant Liverpool fc at Goodison Park and the Spaniard can only expect to hear his name chanted from the away section. Things could get ugly in the Merseyside derby.

Rafael Benitez faces daunting derby with dread of Liverpool humiliation

Everton vs Liverpool: Benitez versus former clubs

19:06 , Michael Jones

Everton manager Rafael Benítez has won just one of his 10 Premier League meetings against his former teams, beating Chelsea 3-0 with Newcastle in May 2018.

Everton vs Liverpool: Head-to-head

19:02 , Michael Jones

Everton’s 2-0 triumph in February ended a run of 20 Premier League games without a win versus Liverpool and the Toffees could win back-to-back league meetings for the first time since 1985.

Liverpool have not lost a Premier League match at Goodison Park in 11 years. However, eight of their last nine visits have finished level, including the last four.

The Merseyside derby has produced more 90th-minute winning goals than any other Premier League fixture - but they’ve all been scored by Liverpool players: Ronny Rosenthal (1993), Gary McAllister (2001), Dirk Kuyt (2007), Sadio Mane (2016) and Divock Origi (2018).

Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool always ‘try to play football’ in Merseyside derby

18:57 , Michael Jones

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists his side have always tried to play football in Merseyside derbies.

The Reds boss was in no mood to discuss in depth what the 239th meeting between two clubs separated by the width of Stanley Park might have in store.

However, his assertion about playing football could be interpreted as a dig at their city rivals, especially after last year’s encounter which began the unravelling of Liverpool’s Premier League title defence.

Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool always ‘try to play football’ in Merseyside derby

Everton vs Liverpool: The standings

18:53 , Michael Jones

Everton are languishing 14th in the Premier League table after five defeats from their last six league games. They are five points above the relegation zone but are currently in the worst form of any of the bottom seven teams. Pressure is growing on manager Rafa Benitez and a poor performance and results against rivals Liverpool this evening will not do him any favours.

Liverpool can potentially end the day at the top of the Premier League table if other results go their way. They would need to beat Everton at Goodison Park and hope that Chelsea and Manchester City drop points to Watford and Aston Villa respectively.

Everton vs Liverpool: Recent results

18:46 , Michael Jones

Everton are without a win in the Premier League since the 25^th September when they defeated Norwich 2-0 at Goodison Park. In the seven games since the Toffees have picked up just two points from a possible 21 but they were in draws with Manchester United and Tottenham. Everton are in desperate need of a win and who better to get against than their city rivals Liverpool.

The Reds meanwhile are in good form since a 3-2 loss to West Ham at the start of November. They’ve won each of their last three games – across all competitions – with both of their last two Premier League victories (against Arsenal and Southampton) finishing 4-0.

However, Liverpool haven’t won a Merseyside derby in the Premier League since December 2019 and the last time these sides back in February met Everton won 2-0 at Anfield.

Everton vs Liverpool: Early team news

18:42 , Michael Jones

Everton come into the Merseyside derby without key players Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Yerry Mina who are both side-lined through injury.

Tom Davies is also out but Andre Gomes is back in training, pushing for a starting spot and Richarlison returns following a suspension.

Liverpool have no new injury concerns for the trip to Goodison Park but are still navigating a few existing injury problems. Roberto Firmino has a thigh problem and Naby Keita, Joe Gomez and Curtis Jones are all still absent.

Everton host Liverpool in Merseyside derby

14:22 , Tom Kershaw

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage as Everton host Liverpool in the Merseyside derby.

Rafael Benitez will receive a warm welcome from the away end, but he is facing increasing pressure from Everton fans after a dire run of form in which the club have lost five of their last games. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s absence has been sorely felt, however, Richarlison is available again tonight after serving a suspension.

The situation is far sunnier at Liverpool, who are just two points adrift of league leaders Chelsea. Jurgen Klopp’s side have been in prolific form, scoring ten goals in their last three matches, and will be overwhelming favourites to take victory even on hostile away territory.