Liverpool vs Everton: Preview, predictions and lineups | OneFootball

Anfield plays host to the 246th Merseyside Derby on Wednesday night as Premier League leaders Liverpool take on bitter rivals Everton.

It was a memorable occasion the last time these two locked horns, with James Tarkowski's stoppage-time equaliser ensuring the Toffees didn't endure defeat in the final derby at Goodison Park. The dramatic late scenes sparked post-match mayhem, as Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure were sent off after the final whistle, while the usually stoic Arne Slot was dismissed for remonstrating with Michael Oliver.

In short, the upcoming affair could be a little bit nasty.

A late Jake O'Brien goal against West Ham meant Everton extended their unbeaten Premier League run to nine games before the break, while Liverpool desperately required a reset after a tough week which saw them exit the Champions League and lose to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.

Still, this Reds outfit doesn't exactly need serenading with violins and roses. They enter the midweek slate of fixtures 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League table with nine games to go.

Here is 90min's guide to Wednesday's Merseyside Derby.

Liverpool vs Everton head-to-head record (last five games)

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Liverpool vs Everton on TV - UK & US

Liverpool team news

Trent Alexander-Arnold remains out of action due to an ankle injury / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages

Trent Alexander-Arnold made plenty of headlines over the break, but we'll have to wait a little while longer to see how Anfield receives their homegrown star as he remains out of action due to an ankle injury.

On a brighter note, Conor Bradley, Alexander-Arnold's deputy, is back in training and could play a role on Wednesday night. A start is unlikely, though, and with Joe Gomez still out, Jarell Quansah is expected to play at right-back.

Alisson will start if he passes a concussion test, and Ryan Gravenberch is also fit for the Reds. He'll likely reunite with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai in the middle of the park.

Slot handed plenty of starts to Diogo Jota before the break, and the Portuguese international could get the nod up top again given the recent travails of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez.

Liverpool predicted lineup vs Everton (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Quansah, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Jota.

Everton team news

Iliman Ndiaye has been out of action since the first Merseyside Derby / Alex Pantling/GettyImages

Everton have received a couple of notable boosts ahead of the derby, with Iliman Ndiaye, who's been out of action since the 2-2 draw at Goodison, returning to training along with Dwight McNeil.

McNeil was a key figure under Sean Dyche but is yet to feature for Moyes.

The Toffees should also have Vitalii Mykolenko available for Wednesday's game after he quickly recovered from a thigh injury sustained on international duty. While the contest may arrive a little too soon for Ndiaye and McNeil, Mykolenko is poised to start at left-back.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Orel Mangala are the only players out injured.

Everton predicted lineup vs Liverpool (4-4-1-1): Pickford; O'Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison, Gueye, Garner, Alcaraz; Doucoure; Beto.

Liverpool vs Everton score prediction

Everton were able to rough Liverpool up in their February meeting, but they were still reliant on a superb Tarkowski strike at the death to earn a point.

The Reds did look like they were flagging somewhat before the break, and they were completely overwhelmed by Newcastle's intensity at Wembley, but they should enter the final stretch of the season refreshed. While they weren't beaten in the previous derby, Slot's side will be desperate to get one over their local rivals and edge closer to the title.

Everton have been excellent under Moyes, but rarely do they turn up at Anfield.