Liverpool’s Elliott claims what Everton will ‘obviously’ do in Merseyside derby

Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott has now outlined what Jurgen Klopp’s squad should expect from Everton when Sean Dyche’s side travel to Anfield in the Merseyside derby.

The Reds host their Stanley Park rivals on Saturday afternoon to resume the Premier League season. Liverpool went into the international break fourth in the table following a loss and a draw. While Everton sit 16th in the standings having won in two of their past three matches.

Beating Brentford and AFC Bournemouth before the break put Everton three points clear of the relegation zone. The Blues’ results also marked their first and second wins this term and yielded six of their nine goals scored. Liverpool have hit home 18 times and won five games.

Everton players celebrates Abdoulaye Doucoure goal v AFC Bournemouth in Premier League amid Merseyside derby prediction by Harvey Elliott of Liverpool

Harvey Elliott outlines what Liverpool can expect from Everton
Saturday may still be a cagey contest, however, with Everton only conceding 12 times to the nine Liverpool have conceded. Dyche also takes comfort in the Toffees’ xG so far this season of 14.9. It is only just shy of the 15.2 of Arsenal and Manchester City, per stats from Fotmob.

So, Elliott expects Everton will be ‘very competitive’ once again when they visit Liverpool on Saturday in the Merseyside derby. But the Reds are ‘raring to go’ in pursuit of back-to-back wins in the fixture. Klopp’s side beat Dyche’s Blues 2-0 at Anfield in their match in February.

“It’s going to be a massive game,” Elliott told the official Liverpool website. “If a Merseyside derby is not something to look forward to then I don’t know what is!

Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott in UEFA Europa League action v R. Union Saint-Gilloise amid Everton Merseyside derby prediction

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“But the boys are raring to go, everybody is fired up and looking at it in training. Everton are obviously going to be very competitive, as we are. And it’s another opportunity to go out and, hopefully, paint the city red.”

Everton must be at their very best to win the Merseyside derby
Even if Elliott expects Everton to be ‘very competitive’ on Saturday, Dyche knows his players will have to be at their absolute best to beat Liverpool. The Toffees have only won one of the last 28 Merseyside derbies across all competitions. They sealed a 2-0 win in February 2021.

Keeping Mohamed Salah quiet will be key for whatever the Blues achieve at Anfield, as well. The winger is the Reds’ top scorer with five goals and lead playmaker with four assists so far this season. Tottenham dealt Liverpool their sole defeat yet when Salah only tried one shot.