Liverpool Hosts Everton in Crucial Merseyside Derby

LIVERPOOL, England — Liverpool is set to face Everton in the highly anticipated 246th Merseyside derby at Anfield today, April 2, 2025. With a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, Liverpool aims to solidify its position in the title race while seeking to bounce back from recent cup disappointments.

Under the leadership of head coach Arne Slot, Liverpool has encountered a rocky path recently, exiting the Champions League and suffering a defeat in the EFL Cup final to Newcastle. Today’s match is crucial for the Reds to regain momentum and confidence as they turn their sights toward the league title, having only secured it once in the last 35 years.

The stakes are also high for Everton, currently sitting 15th in the league after a revival under manager David Moyes. The Toffees are eager to build on their recent improvement, including a draw against Liverpool in their previous encounter and a series of solid performances. Moyes acknowledged the significant gap between the two clubs, noting that this season marks one of the largest disparities in points ahead of a Merseyside derby.

Today’s starting lineups showcase key players for both teams. Liverpool features goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, defenders Cody Jones, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Andrew Robertson, along with midfielders Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, and forwards Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Luis Diaz, and Diogo Jota.

Everton fields a lineup including Jordan Pickford in goal, with a back line comprising Niall O’Brien, James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite, and Vitalii Mykolenko. The midfield sees Idrissa Gueye and James Garner supporting attackers Jack Harrison, Abdoulaye Doucoure, and Carlos Alcaraz, with Beto leading the line.

Moyes expressed confidence in his team, noting the importance of consistency as they seek points to distance themselves from the relegation battle. He remarked, “It’s important that we build on what we’d done before the international break. Liverpool are a good team, but we’ve been a really good team lately.”

As the match unfolds, all eyes will be on Salah, whose potential exit from Liverpool looms due to contract negotiations. Currently sitting at 27 league goals, Salah is just nine goals shy of breaking the all-time record set by Erling Haaland. His performance today could be pivotal not only for playoff hopes but for his legacy at the club.

Andy Robertson, Liverpool’s captain, emphasized the urgency of the moment: “When you come back after the international break, the Premier League marathon becomes a sprint finish. We need to give everything in these last games.”

The Merseyside derby is known for its intensity, leading to more red cards than any other fixture in Premier League history. With both teams primed for a fierce contest, the outcome will undoubtedly have significant implications for the remainder of the season.