The 239th Merseyside derby looms large with all eyes on former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez as he struggles to win round Everton supporters who were already hesitant about a man who forged his reputation in England with their biggest rivals. It does not help that Wednesday’s hosts have been in putrid form in recent weeks, without a win in all competitions since September 25, nearer the bottom three than the top four.
An optimist might say that winning one of the biggest games of the Toffees’ season gives him a chance to curry some much needed favor with supporters. A pessimist might fear the worst if Jurgen Klopp wins at Goodison Park. Here is how you can watch the match and what you need to know:
How to watch
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 1 | Time: 3:15 p.m. ET
Location: Goodison Park — Liverpool, United Kingdom
TV: NBCSN | Live stream: fubotv (try for free)
Odds: Everton +700; Draw +380; Liverpool -250 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Featured Game | Everton vs. Liverpool
Storylines
Everton: The focus will surely be on Benitez in his first derby in Merseyside’s blue corner but few would argue that the issues with Everton are solely of the manager’s making. His squad seems severely lacking in youthful energy and without Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison there is precious little punch in the final third.
Visiting supporters made clear their broader frustrations in defeat at the Brentford Community Stadium on Sunday. “http://www.cbssports.com/”We demand Nil Satis Nisi Optimum (nothing but the best is good enough, the club motto), it’s about time our club did too.” It is a tough environment in which to be facing off against your greatest rivals.
Liverpool: Meanwhile everything is altogether more rosey across Stanley Park, where Liverpool have won all their games since the international break with Thiago Alcantara hitting perhaps his best run of form since moving to Merseyside. Last year’s fixture saw the Spaniard and Virgil van Dijk suffer major injuries and Klopp will be warning his side against getting emotionally carried away.
“We will need to keep a cool head,” he said. “We are still an emotional team and we need to use the emotion on the right way – and that’s the plan for tomorrow, absolutely.”
Prediction
Liverpool are simply too good for any but the best teams to stop. Everton are not one of those right now and though derbies are usually hard fought this one should end with the red team victorious. Pick: Everton 1 Liverpool 3
