Premier League football returns to the Merseyside as the 236th Derby between rivals Everton and Liverpool takes place at Goodison Park.

The game was due to take place on a Monday night three days after the league was temporarily paused due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It will be the first time Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti will take on the old enemy on home turf since his appointment in December. His previous meeting with Jurgen Klopp’s champions elect was a 1-0 FA Cup defeat at Anfield in January.

Preparation

After a sustained period without action both sides have been mainly focussed on following league protocols regarding testing and training.  Aside from a game between themselves Everton’s only action was a reported victory over Championship side Preston North End. Liverpool have been through a similar process which culminated in a convincing victory over Blackburn Rovers.

Last Time They Met

The last time the two sides clashed was that FA Cup tie at Anfield which was won by a youthful Liverpool outfit. Just weeks previously Marco Silva’s last match in charge of the Toffees was a 5-2 hammering before Christmas. The last meeting at Goodison was a 0-0 draw last March which proved a crucial blow for the Reds title challenge.

Recent Form

Given the circumstances surrounding the coronavirus pandemic and the enforced lockdown the form of the teams going into this derby can hardly be described as recent. However, before the enforced break Everton were enduring a mixed bag of results. Their last six league fixtures included two wins, two draws and two defeats.

Liverpool of course have been imperious all season having built up a commanding and surely uncatchable 25-point lead. Their only league defeat of the season came at Watford, but they did go out of the FA Cup and Champions league against Atletico Madrid and Chelsea respectively

Team News

The hosts have Yerry Mina, Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Theo Walcott definitely out while Andre Gomes is a doubt having picked up a knock in training.

Jurgen Klopp is confident that he will have a fully fit squad to pick from for the trip across Stanley Park.