Liverpool v Everton: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this week’s Premier League fixture at Anfield

Steven Gerrard (right) and Luis Suarez are expected to start for Liverpool in Tuesday's Merseyside derby (Andrew Powell/Getty Images)

For the second time this season, Liverpool and Everton will square off in a highly anticipated derby match. The last time these two teams met they equally shared six goals, with Daniel Sturridge rescuing Liverpool in the 89th minute to secure his team one point. With the top three Premier League teams slowly pulling away, the battle for fourth place has become even more intense, with Everton, Tottenham and Liverpool only separated by one point.

The Reds started the season strongly but dropped off the pace slightly in December, losing to both Chelsea and Man City which has left them eight points behind leaders Arsenal. Manager Brendan Rogers still believes his side to be title contenders and a win at home to Everton tonight will no doubt keep them in the hunt for the League title. Everton were this week blessed with the knowledge that defender Leighton Baines will remain with the club for the foreseeable future, after he signed a new four year deal with the club. They haven’t beaten Liverpool since 2010, so manager Roberto Martinez will want secure victory in his first Everton match at Anfield. With so much at stake, tonight’s derby has all the potential to be another Premier League classic.

KICK-OFF: Tuesday, 8.00pm

PAST MEETINGS…

Everton 3 (Mirallas, Lukaku (2)) Liverpool 3 (Coutinho, Suarez, Sturridge), Premier League, November 2013

Liverpool 0 Everton 0, Premier League, May 2013

Everton 2 (Osman, Naismith) Liverpool 2 (Baines o.g), Suarez), Premier League, October 2012

Liverpool 2 (Suarez, Carroll) Everton 1 (Jelavic), FA Cup, April 2012

STATS…

There have been more red cards in the Merseyside derby than in any other fixture in Barclays Premier League history (20).

Daniel Sturridge has scored in 11 of his 14 Premier League appearances this season. He hasn’t scored more than once in any match.

Romelu Lukaku has scored four goals in four Barclays Premier League appearances against Liverpool.

Liverpool have won seven and lost just one of their last 14 Premier League Merseyside derbies.

ODDS…

Liverpool to win: 1.8

Everton to win: 4.3

Draw: 3.6

TV: Live on BT Sport 1 at 8.00pm, highlights on BBC 1 at 10.35pm on Wednesday