Everton vs Liverpool team news and expected line-ups: Beto out after sickening clash but Salah to return for Klopp's final Merseyside derby
Everton have the chance to ruin Liverpool's Premier League title dreams in Jurgen Klopp's latest Merseyside derby this week.
The arch-rivals are desperate for points at opposite ends of the table, but come into this match buoyed by pivotal wins over the weekend.
Everton eased their relegation fears by moving five points clear of relegation after a controversial 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
AND Liverpool recovered from a Europa League drop with a hard-fought 3-1 away win against Fulham.
The Reds remain only behind Arsenal on goal difference at the top of the table, and Both teams need to put pressure on Manchester City. – Who can regain first place if they win the game in hand?
Everton
Sean Dyche has persisted with the same back five led by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford for much of the season.
Ashley Young was Sent off in 2-0 defeat at Anfield in the first leg and has continued to have problems as a right back.
The 38-year-old was at the center of the drama against Forest as he was involved in all three of the visitors' potential penalty incidents.
Young is expected to keep his place in defense over Ben Godfrey, with James Tarkowski again partnering Jarrad Branthwaite in the middle.
Goalscorer Idrissa Gana Gueye will take over midfield duties, but Amadou Onana's greater physical presence could earn him a recall.
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The Belgian started against Liverpool in October and has more presence than André Gomes along with Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Jack Harrison and Dwight McNeil are Dyche's preferred options on the wing, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin almost certain to lead the line.
The locals will be left without Beto after the striker was knocked unconscious during the Toffees' victory over Forest.
Beto has been released from the hospital after a disgusting clash of heads with Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, but concussion protocols will surely cause him to miss here.
Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson remain sidelined along with long-term absentees Dele Alli and Lewis Dobbin.
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Liverpool
Klopp surprised by dropping his talisman Mohamed Salah against Fulham after a drop in form since returning from injury.
Since returning from a recurrence of a muscle problem in the 1-1 draw against city of manchester Last month, Salah has had problems.
In his last six Premier League games, the Egyptian has only scored two goals (one of which was a penalty) and has not provided any assists.
However, his recent record in the Merseyside derby suggests he is likely to return to the starting XI on Wednesday.
Salah has been directly involved in six goals in his last five Premier League games against Everton, scoring five and assisting one.
He scored a brace in the first leg in October: the last player to score more than 2 goals in both Merseyside derbies in a league campaign was Dixie Dean in 1932-33, while the last for Liverpool was Dick Forshaw in 1925-26 .
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Luis Díaz will return to the opposite flank and Diogo Jota will be given the nod to lead the attack on Darwin Núñez and Cody Gakpo.
Salah will not be Liverpool's only withdrawal of players who were rested against Fulham, with four other stars in line to return.
Alexis Mac Allister will be deployed as Liverpool's number 6 with Dominik Szoboszlai and local boy Curtis Jones ahead of him.
Ibrahima Konate will be given the nod as captain Virgil van Dijk's partner, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson on the wing.
Conor Bradley is the latest worry in Liverpool's treatment room, along with long-term absences Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara.
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Everton vs Liverpool: talkSPORT coverage
This Premier League clash will take place on Wednesday, April 24.
Kick-off at Goodison Park is scheduled for 8 p.m.
talkSPORT will be EXCLUSIVE live coverage of the Merseyside derby, presented by Adrian Durham.
The comment comes from Sam Matterface and former England defender Stuart Pearce.
