Liverpool host crosstown rivals Everton in a high-profile Premier League clash at Anfield on Sunday and the lineups for the latest edition of the Merseyside Derby have been revealed.
📋Today’s #LFC side to face @Everton… https://t.co/DdPpcB9UZ8 pic.twitter.com/xGA0CvFkTy
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 10, 2017
Jurgen Klopp’s team selection has raised a few eyebrows for Dominc Solanke starts at the apex of Liverpool’s customary 4-3-3 formation, flanked by Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jordan Henderson start in midfield, with Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino warming the bench for Sunday’s tie.
With Alberto Moreno injured, Andy Robertson starts in his stead and the rest of the four-man defence has Ragnar Klavan, Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez all featuring ahead of keeper Simon Mignolet.
🔵 | Team news is in for the 229th Merseyside derby… COYB! #EFC pic.twitter.com/Tkjc0W7xV7
— Everton (@Everton) December 10, 2017
Everton manager Sam Allardyce has opted for a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Oumar Niasse leading the line for the Toffees.
Club icon Wayne Rooney starts in his first derby since his summer switch from Manchester United and has Tom Davies, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Gylfi Sigurdsson for company.
Idrissa Gueye is the defensive midfielder in front of a four-man defence of Cuco Martina, Ashley Williams, Jonjoe Kenny and Mason Holgate.
Jordan Pickford retains his place between the sticks.
There’s added incentive for Liverpool to win on Sunday, apart from the customary bragging rights, for if the Reds win by a margin of two or more, they leapfrog defending champions Chelsea into third place.
For Everton, who are also in decent form since ‘Big Sam’ took over, a win would see them come within a point of ninth-placed Watford but whether they can beat their illustrious neighbours, who are in excellent nick, on their home turf remains to be seen.
Liverpool: Mignolet, Gomez, Klavan, Lovren, Robertson, Milner, Henderson (c), Mane, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Salah and Solanke.
Everton: Pickford, Kenny, Martina, Holgate, Williams, Gueye, Calvert-Lewin, Davies, Rooney (c), Sigurdsson and Niasse.
Match starts at 14.15 GMT/19.45 IST