Everton vs Liverpool simulated to predict final Goodison Park Merseyside derby
Everton and Liverpool will go head to head in the Premier League later today in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
Initially scheduled for early December, the impact of Storm Darragh forced this Merseyside Derby clash to be rearranged, with both sides entering the clash in a better position than two months ago. Everton have won their last three Premier League games in a row, with the Toffees looking more complete in recent weeks.
Liverpool would've entered the December clash on the back of a 3-3 draw against Newcastle while also looking a little leggy, and as it stands, a win for the Reds against Everton later today would see Arne Slot's side move nine points clear at the top of the Premier League.
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Some big bragging rights are also on the line – if Liverpool win, they'll have won more Merseyside derbies than Everton at Goodison Park, and vice versa. Trent Alexander-Arnold is touch-and-go for the Reds later today, while Vitalii Mykolenko is doubtful for the hosts.
So, who could come out on top in the final-ever Merseyside derby at Goodison Park? Let's take a look...
Everton vs Liverpool score predicted
To complete this simulation, we used EA FC 25 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We predict that Everton could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Pickford; O'Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Young; Garner, Gueye; Doucoure; Alcaraz, Beto, Ndiaye.
We predict that Liverpool could line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their starting XI as follows: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Nunez.
The first half at Goodison was evenly contested, with both sides having six shots each, though none ever troubled either goalkeeper. The best chance of the half fell to Everton when Beto sped away from Ibrahima Konate to latch onto Iliman Ndiaye's through ball, but after rounding the 'keeper, the angle was too tight as he fired into the side netting.
Moments after the restart, Liverpool thought they went ahead when Cody Gakpo's driven ball into the box was flicked home by Darwin Nunez at the front post, but the linesman's flag was instantly raised, with the striker starting in an offside position. The Reds started to dominate towards the end of the game as they got desperate for a goal, and Everton's fantastic defensive display was undone in the 89th minute as Slot's side went ahead.
A fantastic challenge from Conor Bradley saw the defender stop an Everton counterattack on the halfway line, allowing Liverpool to start an attack of their own. Bradley played a one-two with Mohamed Salah to break into the box, and on the right flank, he powered a strike into the far corner of the net to make it 1-0.
Moyes' side threw everything forward in the final stages as they searched for a late equaliser, and they almost drew level when James Tarkowski outjumped Alexis Mac Allister from a corner, but his header was directed straight at Alisson, with Liverpool picking up the three points and the bragging rights in the Merseyside derby.
