Liverpool will be looking to win their third successive game in the Premier League on Saturday as they face local rivals Everton in the first Merseyside derby of the season.
A 98th-minute goal from Fabio Carvalho saw Liverpool overcome Newcastle in dramatic fashion in their last outing, winning 2-1 at Anfield. It was the Reds' second win of the season following their 9-0 dismantlement of Bournemouth last weekend.
Jurgen Klopp 's side now face a visit to Goodison Park to take on fierce rivals Everton, with Frank Lampard's side yet to win a league game this season. The last meeting between these two sides at Goodison saw Liverpool win 4-1, with goals from Jordan Henderson, Diogo Jota and a Mohamed Salah brace securing the win.
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Joel Matip, Caoimhin Kelleher and Darwin Nunez could all return to the squad on Saturday, whilst Klopp has also confirmed that Diogo Jota will be part of the squad to face Everton. Nunez returns from suspension, but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jordan Henderson, Ibrahima Konate, Thiago, Calvin Ramsey and Arthur are guaranteed absentees - the latter due to international clearance.
So, who could come out on top in the first Merseyside derby of the season? We used FIFA 22 to get a score prediction.
Everton vs Liverpool score predicted by simulation
To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 22 and updated the squads with the latest transfers. Due to FIFA 22 not having the latest kits, both sides lined up in the kits from the 2021/22 season.
We predict that the Toffees could set up in a 4-5-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Pickford; Patterson, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; McNeil, Gueye, Onana, Iwobi, Gordon; Maupay.
We predict that Klopp's side could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, Fabinho, Henderson; Salah, Firmino, Diaz.
As expected, Liverpool started the contest on top, controlling the pace of the opening stages as Everton sat back. The Reds couldn't find a breakthrough in the first half as Everton failed to threaten, but Roberto Firmino handed Liverpool the lead early in the second period with a wonder goal.
Van Dijk sprayed a trademark long ball forward, and the defender picked out Firmino excellently as he raced through on goal. As the ball dropped over the shoulder of the Brazilian, Firmino fired a sweetly-struck volley across goal, past Jordan Pickford and into the top corner.
The spectacular finish put the Reds ahead, and the goal saw Everton start to push forward, allowing more space for Liverpool to find in attack. With around 20 minutes remaining, Klopp's side doubled their lead after an error at the back from the home side.
James Tarkowski tried to play a long ball from the back whilst under pressure, but the defender slipped and sliced his pass into the path of Carvalho. Carvalho dinked a ball forward for Salah to latch onto as Pickford rushed out of goal, but the Egyptian smartly headed the ball into the path of Diaz who was able to tap into an empty net.
The Toffees had a strong 10-minute spell towards the end of the game that saw Anthony Gordon hit the post and the crossbar in quick succession - a let-off for the Reds. But, with eight minutes remaining, Salah finished off the game as he made it 3-0.
Darwin Nunez did well to win the ball back just outside the box, and the Uruguayan slid Salah in on goal as he fired his shot past Pickford at the near post. Salah had the chance to make it 4-0 in added time when Fabinho was brought down in the box for a penalty, but Pickford guessed right and saved the forward's spot kick.
FIFA 22 predicted final score: Everton 0-3 Liverpool
Here are the full-time match stats.
FIFA 22 predicts that Liverpool could overcome the occasion and comfortably beat Everton on Saturday afternoon to continue their winning run. Carvalho and Nunez both impressed off the bench to help the Reds win the game, showing the importance of Liverpool's summer signings once again.
What do you think the score will be between Liverpool and Everton on Saturday? Let us know in the comments!
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