Liverpool vs Everton match preview: team news, lineups, TV, kick-off time, referee & VAR

Once again, it's Liverpool who have to bear the brunt of the early kick-off, with the Reds welcoming Everton to Anfield for the first Merseyside derby of the season this Saturday.

For the second time this season, Jurgen Klopp will face the Saturday lunch-time kick off directly after the international break, and if that wasn't enough, the Manchester City game after the November break is also scheduled for that time slot to make it three out of three for the Reds. Seems fair.

Despite the unfortunate timing of the game, Liverpool will be hoping to use their bitter rivals as a punching bag in order to make a statement that the title race is indeed still on, after taking just one point from the last two league games.

READ MORE: Liverpool's record against Everton at Anfield

Liverpool have a fantastic record against their footballing neighbours at Anfield, but the old saying of course is 'never back the early kick-off' and victory is far from guaranteed.

With that said, here's everything you need to know about the match.

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DATE, KICK-OFF, STADIUM, REFEREE & VAR

• Date: Saturday, 21 October 2023

• Kick-off time: 12:30 BST / 07:30 ET / 04:30 PT

• Stadium: Anfield

• Referee: Craig Pawson.

• Assistants: Marc Perry, Wade Smith.

• Fourth official: Thomas Bramall.

• VAR: David Coote.

• Assistant VAR: Stuart Burt.

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

Liverpool and Everton are two of the biggest clubs English football has to offer and the fixture list certainly represents that – the two sides have faced off against one another a whopping 293 times in all competitions.

Of those fixtures, the Reds have come out on top overall, winning 124, drawing 86 and losing 83, and while derby day used to be a close affair every single time, the gulf between the two Merseyside clubs has never been further apart.

In the last 28 games between the Reds and the Blues, Everton have won just one game (and even that came in a disastrous season for Liverpool).

The Toffees' record at Anfield in the Premier League era paints an even bleaker picture for the away side.

Liverpool have played Everton 32 times at Anfield since the formation of the Premier League and they have only lost three. In that time, the Reds have won 17 of the fixtures, and drawn the remaining 12.

In addition, Liverpool have also won seven of the last ten league meetings between the sides at home, with an aggregate score of 23-7. Talk about domination.

The Reds won last season's meeting in this fixture, 2-0, with goals from Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo.

WHERE TO WATCH LIVERPOOL VS EVERTON ON TV

For UK viewers, the game will be shown as the early kick-off on TNT Sports (formerly known as BT Sports)

European viewers can find the game on DAZN.

In the USA, the match will be available on the USA Network and to live stream on Fubo.

As always, the full match and highlights will be available on LFCTV GO afterwards.

LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS

Unfortunately, the Reds didn't escape the second international break unscathed, with Andy Robertson dislocating his shoulder against Spain.

The extent of the injury is currently unknown with the defender undertaking a scan this week, but there is a strong chance the Scotsman could be sidelined for a significant amount of time. Not good news at all.

Scotland are currently in Liverpool's bad books because because promising youngster Ben Doak also had to be withdrawn through injury – this time with the Undeer-21 side against Hungary.

While Doak isn't exactly a starter for the Reds, this comes as a big disappointment to him personally after he was tipped to receive a call-up to the senior Scotland team for the friendly against France, after impressing in the youth camp.

READ MORE: Why Jarell Quansah should start for Liverpool against Everton

The expected return dates of both Stefan Bajcetic and Caoimhin Kelleher are currently unknown. The Spaniard suffered a setback in his recovery after several months on the sidelines and won't be rushed back, while Liverpool's number two goalkeeper required stitches just before the break and had to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad.

Thiago Alcantara could be nearing a return with Jurgen Klopp teasing the possibility of a post-break return for the veteran playmaker. However, Conor Bradley remains out.

There is hope that Cody Gakpo, who was injured against Tottenham and left the stadium in a knee brace, could be fit for the weekend after the well-timed hiatus gave him a chance to recover. What part he plays on Saturday, if any, remains to be seen.

Finally, Curtis Jones is confirmed to be unavailable after the appeal to rescind the controversial red card he was shown against Tottenham was denied.

EVERTON TEAM NEWS

Ahead of Saturday's clash, Everton will definitely be without Seamus Coleman, Dele Ali and Andre Gomes, with the return date of all three players currently unknown.

Sean Dyche should, however, have a first-choice midfield at his disposal with the news that Idrissa Gueye is nearing full fitness.

Other than that, the Toffees have a full squad and no fresh suspensions.

PREDICTED LINEUP

Expect to see the strongest XI that Liverpool have available, as the squad aim to make a big statement to the rest of the Premier League following the disappointing results at Tottenham and Brighton.

(4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Salah, Nuñez, Diaz

PREDICTION

Not only do Liverpool have a superb record against their rivals at Anfield, but the squad will feel they have something to prove after going into the international break with just one point from two games.

The Merseyside derby is always a must-win, and Liverpool should win it.

Liverpool 2-0 Everton