The Liverpool Offside - Premier League 2020-21: Liverpool vs. EvertonZeppeline, Trinken, & Pink Badeshortshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51345/ltos-fav.png2021-02-20T19:26:49+00:00http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/rss/stream/220566432021-02-20T19:26:49+00:002021-02-20T19:26:49+00:00Liverpool 0, Everton 2 - Match Recap: Henderson the Latest Liverpool Casualty in Derby Loss
<figure>
<img alt="Liverpool v Everton - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VU1QHYL1iIS0Xv1IeRWw_PdnlxU=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68848709/1303192967.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Phil Noble - Pool/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Liverpool fell 2-0 to Everton in the Merseyside derby. </p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="SYoD4t">
<h1 id="Tp9ant">Liverpool 0 - 2 Everton</h1>
<h5 id="rjIGZE">Everton: Richarlison 2’, Sigurdsson 83’ </h5>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="9kN5X7">
<h3 id="L0f4pP">Pre-Match </h3>
<p id="RtHnOe">It’s the Merseyside derby, and Liverpool and Everton are as close to equal in terms of performance than they have been in several years. Today would be a good time for the Reds to reassert their dominance over their neighbors. Jurgen Klopp has named an unchanged line-up from the one that did so well against RB Leipzig. </p>
<h3 id="u7Lhn1">First Half</h3>
<p id="mgjZb6">Goal :( Richarlison 2’ - Well, that didn’t take long. On this windy afternoon, the Toffees take no time at all to exploit the Liverpool’s newest defender. Ozan Kabak completely misses Richarlison’s run and gets thrown completely onto the backfoot. Richarlison easily unlocks Liverpool’s defensive line and slots it past Alisson in the first two minutes of the game. The last mistake rested with Kabak there, but none of the midfield covered itself with glory, allowing Richarlison free reign along that midfield.</p>
<p id="aiFqh1">It took around 15 minutes, but Liverpool have worked their way into the game. The wind is doing Liverpool no favors, but they get some good chances at goal regardless. The first is for Firmino, who sends it just wide. The next comes a few moments later when Jordan Henderson calmly bends it to the corner, where it’s saved by the inferior Jordan in front of the goal.</p>
<p id="SCFV90">The attacks aren’t stopping from Liverpool, and Pickford is forced into another save from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s long range bullet. The resulting corner is less than impressive, but the Reds battle on. </p>
<p id="Qf6D6n">Well, in case you felt too positive about the last few minutes, Jordan Henderson, Liverpool’s (give me a second to count on my fingers) fiiiifth? maybe? choice center-back goes down with what looks to be a hamstring injury. He does some basic stretches and then hops back to his feet, but then gives up shortly thereafter. So here comes Nat Phillips, and I hate everything.</p>
<p id="qWacnQ">Alisson steps up as Everton try to take advantage of the situation, making a good save on a first attempt and then also on the resulting corner. But needless to say, all of the momentum that Liverpool had midway through the half is completely gone.</p>
<p id="IG6U6j">The half ends as it began, with Liverpool trailing 1-0. </p>
<h3 id="AEbaZt">Second Half</h3>
<p id="J7NRyZ">Liverpool have come out swinging. As they attack the empty Kop-end goal, the ball has barely crossed the halfway line in the first six minutes after the restart. Sadio Mane gets a few good efforts in, but they’ve all been saved or slightly miscued. Still, it’s nice to see that Mane and his teammates have woken up in this half. Of course, history tells us that this means Everton are about the score again against the run of play, but we can always hope that things work out the way that they’re supposed to.</p>
<p id="HbRGtE">Despite some good attacks from Liverpool, and despite the fact that Everton seem uninterested in scoring another, the game remains at 1-0 after 70 minutes. Salah nearly finds a way to wriggle through, but he’s stopped in front of the goal before he can tap it in.</p>
<p id="r7Uy71">Goal :( 83 minutes in and Alexander-Arnold gives up a dubious penalty on Calvert-Lewin. The ref barely glances at the video playback before confirming his decision. Sigurdsson scores and that’s all three points gone. </p>
<h3 id="Laky1x">Final Thoughts</h3>
<p id="Vj9DFf">Well, that’s over. Let’s never do this again, thanks.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/2/20/22292869/liverpool-0-everton-2-match-recap-epl-2021-merseyside-derbyepicskyline2021-02-20T14:00:00+00:002021-02-20T14:00:00+00:00Liverpool vs. Everton Live Updates: Lineups, TV Listings, and How to Watch Online
<figure>
<img alt="Everton v Liverpool - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ei88SUB8337PL7v6mg1pCi0WM-I=/0x69:1537x1094/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68847512/1280746420.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Lineups, television and streaming options, and live Premier League coverage as Liverpool face off against Everton</p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="XboPqa">
<h2 id="Ypfiwo">
<strong>LIVERPOOL VS. </strong><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com"><strong>EVERTON</strong></a>
</h2>
<h5 id="W2R2tZ">
<strong>| Saturday, February 20th |</strong><br><strong>Premier League | Anfield</strong><br><strong>5:30PM BST/12:30PM EST</strong>
</h5>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="YCHieu">
<p id="dLVTW8">It’s another Merseyside derby today, this time at Anfield. The last iteration of this cursed fixture effectively crippled Liverpool’s season when Jordan Pickford scythed down Virgil van Dijk and put him on the injury list for the whole season. So your humble writer is not the biggest fan of this particular clash. There have been glorious exceptions in our recent history, of course, and hopefully today will be another to add to that list. </p>
<h2 id="peuZzp"><strong>PREVIEW & VIEWING OPTIONS</strong></h2>
<p id="MGU4eO"><strong>Full Preview: </strong><a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/2/19/22291083/liverpool-everton-epl-2020-preview-team-news-injuries-predicted-lineups-watch-online">Liverpool vs. Everton</a></p>
<p id="UhsgRy"><strong>Television:</strong> Sky Sports Premier League (UK); NBC (USA); Optus Sport (Australia); DAZN (Canada); Star Sports Select (India); Astro SuperSport 3 (Malaysia); SuperSport Premier League Nigeria (Nigeria); 102 mio Stadium (Singapore); SuperSport MáXimo 1 (South Africa); other listings at <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/"><strong>LiveSoccerTV</strong></a></p>
<p id="OUdCqn"><strong>Online Streaming:</strong> <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fubo.tv%2Flp%2Fsoccer%2F%3Firad%3D343747%26irmp%3D482924%26sharedid%3DTheLiverpoolOffside&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2F2021%2F2%2F20%2F22292336%2Fliverpool-vs-everton-epl-2021-goal-highlights-teamsheets-tv-channels-online-streaming" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>NBC via FuboTV</strong></a>* (USA) | <strong>Online Radio:</strong> <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolfc.com%2Fvideo&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2F2021%2F2%2F20%2F22292336%2Fliverpool-vs-everton-epl-2021-goal-highlights-teamsheets-tv-channels-online-streaming" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>LFCTV GO</strong></a></p>
<h2 id="egzCRa"><strong>LIVERPOOL</strong></h2>
<div id="idKE1B">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LIVEVE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LIVEVE</a> </p>— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1363164035903029248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2021</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<h2 id="3YpS1e"><strong>EVERTON</strong></h2>
<div id="2qaKw4">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">⚠️ TEAM NEWS! ⚠️<br><br>3️⃣ changes<br> DCL and Allan on the bench<br><br>COYB! ✊ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LIVEVE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LIVEVE</a> <a href="https://t.co/SaT7GQZ9Y4">pic.twitter.com/SaT7GQZ9Y4</a></p>— Everton (@Everton) <a href="https://twitter.com/Everton/status/1363164184075198464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2021</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="JfkxC5">
<h2 id="qdbPzh"><strong>JOIN THE CONVERSATION</strong></h2>
<p id="chTT0y">If you haven’t already, sign up for an SB Nation account and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/account/setup?community_id=373"><strong>join the conversation on The Liverpool Offside,</strong></a> where we’ll have full coverage of every Liverpool match this season, breaking news, opinion, and tactical discussion.</p>
<h5 id="IVA6e6">*Liverpool Offside has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Liverpool Offside may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.</h5>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/2/20/22292336/liverpool-vs-everton-epl-2021-goal-highlights-teamsheets-tv-channels-online-streamingepicskyline2021-02-20T10:09:36+00:002021-02-20T10:09:36+00:00Life, Death, and Football
<figure>
<img alt="Fans Leave Messages Of Support For Jurgen Klopp Outside Anfield" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/f4-u7gNh5io6sCRSKphvbtfC6_Q=/1x0:3736x2490/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68847183/1302119493.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Reflections on football, loss, and what it all means as the pandemic enters its second year. </p> <p id="x6kqfF">My daughter was just two days old last January, sleeping peacefully next to me, when Curtis Jones curled in the match winner in the Derby, past Jordan Pickford’s outstretched arms. Well, she <em>was</em> sleeping until I jumped up and yelled in excitement (along with all the Reds packed into the ground, in bars and supporters clubs around the world, etc). </p>
<p id="qBdvMW">It’s fair to say the world was a different place in January 2020 than it is in February 2021. </p>
<p id="WK047v">Beating <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com">Everton</a> at Anfield, even if it was just the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/fa-cup">FA Cup</a>, seemed to mean everything. The mood around the club was as upbeat as it ever has been. We were champions of everything, watching brilliant footballers doing brilliant footballing things, seeing off our rivals <em>and everyone else. </em>The words and phrases such as “COVID,” “pandemic,” “lockdown,” “behind closed doors,” and “social distancing” were not a regular part of our vocabulary. </p>
<p id="tk3PMB">As fate would have it, we experienced a loss this week, again two days before a Derby at Anfield. </p>
<p id="GKlxFs">Even if Liverpool were once again cruising to a league title, playing brilliant football, and didn’t have a whole slew of important injuries, the mood—both personally and around the club—would understandably be downbeat. </p>
<p id="nZPNWd">We’ve all lost <em>something</em> over the past year. Maybe it was a loved one. Or a job. Or an opportunity. Or a once-in-a-lifetime event (a wedding, graduation, concert, etc). And even if we didn’t technically lose something or someone, we’ve all struggled with isolation, exhaustion, and an inability to do many of the small “little things” that make life worth living. </p>
<p id="xHTISk">After the events on Thursday, my wife said “I could really use a beer from Poulsen’s (a nearby café).” Of course, we can’t go to a café or a bar. They are understandably—and rightly—closed. Still, if COVID isn’t directly responsible for a loss, it at the very least exacerbates it. </p>
<p id="Vca5Ot">We all have our grieving process. Whether that’s a funeral or a <em>gravøl </em>(or both), many of us can’t even grieve and process loss in our own way. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="5hVKh8">
<p id="KKWb25">We all love the Shankly quote, “Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it’s much more serious than that.”</p>
<p id="Blf85W">I still love that quote. But this past year has proven Shanks wrong, and emphatically so. Maybe he would’ve reconsidered after a year of watching football being played in empty stadiums. </p>
<p id="d6WO3a">Jurgen Klopp’s quotes, shortly after the first lockdown, have only become more prescient with time: </p>
<p id="nH2mp2">“First and foremost we have to do what we can to protect one another. In society, I mean. This should be the case all the time in life, but in this moment I think it matters more than ever. I’ve said before that football always seems the most important of the least important things, and today football and football matches really aren’t important at all.</p>
<p id="oUmehp">“Of course we don’t want to play in front of empty stadiums and we don’t want games or competitions suspended, but if doing so helps one individual stay healthy – just one – we do it no questions asked.”</p>
<p id="hZXzqv">We haven’t kept individuals—and players absolutely count as individuals—healthy. And wider society has fared even worse. </p>
<p id="aIAcbV">Whether from COVID, lack of a proper preseason, or a condensed 2020/21 season, players are falling ill or injured left and right. And have been since the start of the season. We now know enough about COVID that some players who have been infected might never be the same. The same can be said for the most serious injuries. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="Tiga3F">
<p id="jMcVVV">Perhaps this will come off as sour grapes to some rival football fans, ones who are more intent to promote Banter Culture than to share in our love of the game, if not our shared love of humanity. </p>
<p id="SJ3OwR">But I’m exhausted. We all are. </p>
<p id="0yEvhJ">This season has become a grind, and not just for Liverpool supporters. </p>
<p id="20XLm5">We’re not watching the best football, because football without fans, songs, and chants is nothing. We’re not watching the best football because the players are also exhausted. We’re not watching the best football because many of the world’s best players have been injured. We’re not watching the best football because the lack of fans, the exhaustion, and the injuries are all working together to destroy the game we love. And don’t even get me started on VAR. </p>
<p id="0GFhdD">Instead of becoming a highlight of our week, matches are just another reminder of what we’re missing. </p>
<p id="vZr51U">Of course, I’ll watch the Derby today. Obviously I hope we win. But it’s not quite the same, and I feel my love for the game diminishing with each week, regardless of the result. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="GEONs0">
<p id="qrxVTh">As I wrote on <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/2/16/22286085/rb-leipzig-0-liverpool-2-match-recap-ucl-2021-round-16-1st-leg-salah-mane">Tuesday night</a>, before our loss:</p>
<blockquote><p id="mOAFT6">Honestly, I’m not even sure what we’re doing here. I <em>love</em> the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league"><strong>Champions League</strong></a>. European Nights are <em>special</em>. But we’re playing home and away at two neutral venues in front of no one. Half our team is injured. People are literally dying, including Klopp’s mom. <em>What are we doing here?!</em></p></blockquote>
<p id="ciPDJ4">Indeed, what are we doing here?</p>
<p id="WznwGa">I know the practicalities of it all. If we want association football to continue in its current form, they need TV money. For TV money, the games need to be played. </p>
<p id="fwM4Mw">Of course, we had a chance to rethink all of this when football stopped last March.</p>
<p id="oHxFUg">For a brief moment, it looked like reason and common sense would prevail. But predictably, the greed that pervades football across all levels and governing bodies prevailed. Everyone wanted their slice of the pie, and no one was willing to sacrifice a little bit for anyone else, regardless of the predictable long-term cost. </p>
<p id="Uings1">And the problems <em>were </em>predictable. Any subscribers to The Anfield Wrap were treated to a fantastic series “<a href="https://www.theanfieldwrap.com/2020/04/what-next-part-one/">What’s Next</a>,” with Neil Atkinson, Paul Cope, and Rory Smith, where they debated, in great detail, what should happen post-lockdown. </p>
<p id="p0dNdN">As Atkinson points out himself (paraphrasing here), “If a couple of gobshites with a podcast can foresee these problems, governing bodies should have been prepared as well.” </p>
<p id="vswD2A">I was glad when football came back. It was part of my weekly routine. I <em>missed</em> it. Or so I thought. But much like how I can buy and eat fruit that’s out of season, I don’t really enjoy it. I don’t miss the concept of a strawberry. I miss the full flavor of it. </p>
<p id="Mi1UkN">I miss the full flavor of football. I miss feeling the nerves before a Champions League knockout tie, and for the week leading up to a Derby. I miss feeling my blood boil along with thousands of fans from a bad decision or a terrible tackle. I miss the pure delight of a perfectly placed Curtis Jones match winner. I miss hearing the Kop singing in full throat. </p>
<p id="PiHMIz">It’s just not the same. And it can’t be without the fans. </p>
<p id="M4dXqM">We’ve all lost people and things in this pandemic. The people we’ve lost will obviously not come back. But hopefully we don’t also lose many of the little things that we love that make life worth living, including football. </p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/2/20/22292519/liverpool-fc-life-death-football-loss-klopp-shankly-pandemic-covid-19-merseyside-derbyZachary Marx2021-02-20T03:00:00+00:002021-02-20T03:00:00+00:00Sadio Mané Reflects on October’s Merseyside Derby
<figure>
<img alt="Everton v Liverpool - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9pZgSB4sIPX05TRzC1y5Szpu_Uc=/0x0:2001x1334/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68846505/1280731352.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Peter Byrne - Pool/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Liverpool winger talks about the fateful 2-2 Goodison draw and looks ahead to a tough Anfield rematch.</p> <p id="hBqzmS">The first Merseyside Derby of the 2020-21 season, a 2-2 draw in October at Goodison Park, left wounds on this Liverpool squad that still haven’t healed. The two dropped points hurt, but a significant injury inflicted on Thiago Alcântara and a season-ending knee injury to Virgil van Dijk were much more damaging to the Reds’ title defense.</p>
<p id="HeJ1Bg">Liverpool winger Sadio Mané reflected on the unpleasant memory of that match against <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com">Everton</a> in a <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/av/football/56120581">recent interview with BBC Sport</a>.</p>
<p id="Y7BUu3">“This game was not the best memory from the beginning of the season, but in football you have to expect everything because everything can happen,” said Mané. “One of the best defenders in the world got injured and Thiago, in his first start for us, got injured for a while.”</p>
<p id="DiIa7E">The injuries weren’t the only unfortunate incidents in October’s Merseyside Derby. A late Liverpool winner from captain Jordan Henderson was ruled out after VAR review determined Mané was offside by the slimmest of margins in the build-up to the goal. </p>
<p id="qYO4gi">It’s the kind of setback that can be very difficult for a team to move on from, especially when coupled with the injuries to two key players. However, letting go of past disappointments and looking ahead to the upcoming test is necessary, and Mané seems to have the right mentality heading into the Anfield rematch against Everton.</p>
<p id="AnTbdS">“The tight offside disallowed goal; it was complicated but it is the past,” said the Senegalese forward. “We will see what is going to happen and do everything possible to win the game.”</p>
<p id="AADOtS">Asked if he expected Saturday’s match to be another physical contest with the Toffees, Mané admitted that he did, but he also made sure to stress that every match played in the Premier League is a battle that requires every ounce of effort and fight available.</p>
<p id="FIqvNE">“For sure, but in the <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/premier-league"><strong>Premier League</strong></a> it’s not just Everton, it’s every single game. It has to be. If you want to beat a team, you have to win all of it. Everything in a game. All your challenges, all your battles. Everything if you want to win the game.”</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2021/2/20/22292034/sadio-mane-reflects-on-octobers-merseyside-derby-liverpool-everton-premier-leagueWaterWorldIsMyNightmare2021-02-19T16:30:00+00:002021-02-19T16:30:00+00:00Preview: Liverpool vs. Everton
<figure>
<img alt="Image shows a composite of Ancelotti’s face on the left and Klopp’s face on the right. Both appear serious." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-5rhaFNWXfAhg6ncEs1704WqOx0=/0x0:4961x3307/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68842841/1229100364.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Manager Carlo Ancelotti of Everton faces Jürgen Klopp’s reigning champions at Anfield Saturday. | Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Everton have not won at Anfield since 1999, a run of twenty (20) games. They have not won a trophy in 1995 (25 years and nearly 275 days, depending on when you read this).</p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="CfsCak">
<h1 id="R1BX2i">
<strong>LIVERPOOL VS. </strong><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com"><strong>EVERTON</strong></a>
</h1>
<h5 id="DDdUdt">| Saturday, February 20th |</h5>
<h5 id="ieHz6U">Premier League | Anfield</h5>
<h5 id="vHjUM1">5:30PM GMT/12:30PM EST</h5>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="KZKNOH">
<p id="3AFbN0">Though the “bite” of derby matches has been somewhat lacking in empty grounds, the character of this rendition of the Merseyside Derby is up in the air given what happened in the reverse fixture earlier this season. It’s hard to know quite what to expect, quality-wise, from these two sides, though both are certainly capable of putting on a good show.</p>
<p id="QoG9D3">Unfortunately for Liverpool, the injured Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Everton’s leading scorer (13 Premier League goals, 18 all competitions from an xG of 16.59), is likely to return to the starting lineup at Anfield. </p>
<p id="TzTlhz">Calvert-Lewin is good at finding good areas in the opposition box, and all but one of his goals this season have come from that dangerous central area of the penalty box — and 12 of his 18 have come from the within six-yard-box (including shots from on the line, because as we know from<a href="https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-fabinho-sheffield-penalty-var-19161685"> that Fabinho challenge that became a penalty</a>, on the line is within the marked area). Calvert-Lewin is a good finisher, but strong defensive control on which areas he is able to receive service in will be key. </p>
<p id="4mZTxK">In terms of this service into the forwards, it is notable that Allan, too, might return from his spell on the sidelines. Allan often acts as provider to key man in the <em>attacking </em>midfield, James Rodriguez. Liverpool targeted this pass connection in the last match against the Toffees, successfully limiting its effectiveness; they might look to do this again should the Brazilian feature.</p>
<p id="XdAAgm">Jordan Pickford, who will be pleased that there are no fans in the ground after the incident(s) of the reverse fixture, returned to the starting lineup midweek in Everton’s loss to <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com">Manchester City</a>. Pickford has conceded 28 this season, not massively underperforming his xG conceded (26.31), though the goalkeeper was <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2021/2/17/22287960/everton-1-3-manchester-city-instant-reaction-phil-foden-richarlison-riyad-mahrez-de-bruyne">lightly criticized</a> for one if not two of the goals he conceded midweek against Manchester City, and Ancelotti was forced to back his number one in the press conference today.</p>
<p id="a8X9yR">The Toffees will be without Yerry Mina, and are thus a bit light in the center-back department — a weakness that will come as a boon for a Liverpool side who are a bit light in various places themselves. </p>
<p id="vv4KCX">It should be a physical battle, regardless of the occasion: Everton have the fifth-most yellow cards this season (41, with two red cards; Liverpool are 18th with 27 and 0 red cards). The narrative around this match mean it will likely be less than friendly, though both managers will hope players keep their cool. Fans of both teams will hope their players escape without injury. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="Fg4O36">
<h5 id="bTT7ii"><strong>Projected Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3)</strong></h5>
<p id="9rh4By">Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Henderson, Kabak, Robertson; Thiago, Wijnaldum, Jones; Salah, Firmino, Mané</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="1UKL5k">
<p id="VH9iCu">In his pre-Everton press conference, Jürgen Klopp gave us the (maybe?) good news that Naby Keïta trained on Thursday with the team “so we have to see what we make of it,” but the boss had <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fvideo.liverpoolfc.com%2Fplayer%2F0_291zfp8w%2F%3FfeedId%3D3d72b0ca-fd3d-444b-ad68-b7802804c404%26page%3D0%26pageSize%3D20%26sortOrder%3Ddesc%26title%3DLatest%2520Videos%26listType%3DLIST-DEFAULT&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2F2021%2F2%2F19%2F22291083%2Fliverpool-everton-epl-2020-preview-team-news-injuries-predicted-lineups-watch-online" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">no new information</a> about any of the other players returning from injury — so Diogo Jota, Fabinho, James Milner “get closer, but not close enough for the weekend.”</p>
<p id="A0qkXG">Keïta could have been in the squad against Leipzig, apparently, but the coaching team decided to leave him behind to train. Of course, the player then got “a bit ill” so could not train as planned. He’s no longer <em>injured</em>, but his fitness is in question, and he may or may not get minutes against the Toffees.</p>
<p id="pQmK4l">Alisson is fine per Klopp, however, so his absence from training pictures — and the ensuing social media nightmare — is likely much ado about nothing. </p>
<p id="uRr5Zs">Liverpool will miss the fans in Anfield for a game like this, as the home advantage seems minimal when the Reds face a team coming to the ground from so close nearby. We must hope that someone gets a “1995” bedsheet in the ground at the very least.</p>
<p id="9cDR5O">Nonetheless, the form (if not always the results) has returned for Liverpool lately, and Klopp will hope to avoid individual errors that marred good performances in recent games. The manager will have been happy to see all three of his front three involved in front of goal against Leipzig midweek, even if Roberto Firmino’s cheeky assist for a Sadio Mané goal was ruled out for a very close linesman call in the end. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="F75uM4">
<p id="ddxzwE"><strong>What the Managers Had to Say</strong></p>
<p id="efxD47"><strong>Jurgen Klopp</strong>: “They have had good teams over the years, in these specific games most of the time they’ve been close [games] — but a manager like Carlo [Ancelotti] helps any team in the world ... maybe they are closer than ever before, from the position of the table for sure.”</p>
<p id="fnQBIQ"><strong>Carlo Ancelotti</strong>: “The motivation is very high because we want to compete against our neighbors here, it is a derby, and it is a special game.”</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="WY0fi8">
<p id="C75usM"><strong>The Officials</strong></p>
<p id="v4L9MF"><strong>Referee</strong>: Chris Kavanagh <strong>Assistants</strong>: Dan Cook, Sian Massey-Ellis <strong>Fourth official</strong>: Paul Tierney <strong>VAR</strong>: Andre Marriner <strong>Assistant VAR</strong>: Derek Eaton</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="FpsPHN">
<p id="BqFBYf">Kickoff is set for 5:30PM GMT/12:30AM EST tomorrow, and television listings for the match can be found on <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/2502841/liverpool-vs-southampton/"><strong>LiveSoccerTV</strong></a>. In the meantime, we’ll be keeping you updated with all the buildup to the game, including team news as it’s released, our live matchday thread, and post-match recaps from The Liverpool Offside staff. If you want to join the discussion, sign up for an SB Nation account to have your say on the action as it happens.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="W0L2sg">
<p id="AncBAw"><small>Statistics used in article are from </small><a href="https://instatsport.com/media/for_mass_media"><small>InStat</small></a><small>.</small></p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/2/19/22291083/liverpool-everton-epl-2020-preview-team-news-injuries-predicted-lineups-watch-onlineMari Murphy2021-02-19T09:00:00+00:002021-02-19T09:00:00+00:00Ancelotti Confirms Everton Star Fit For Merseyside Derby
<figure>
<img alt="Everton v Liverpool - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/d9Xh4c2SxLFlwFQ1ZF03JeJqm54=/299x91:2682x1680/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68841209/1280731282.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Dominic Calvert-Lewin is on track to return from injury in a crucial Liverpool clash</p> <p id="k5tBXb">Any meeting between Merseyside’s two storied clubs matters in the local pride table, however for the first time in a while, the stakes between Liverpool and Everton are evenly matched where it matters. </p>
<p id="8gCVtC">While Jürgen Klopp’s Reds have consistently challenged at the top of the pile in recent seasons, the Blues have spent over a decade competing in mid-table, last finishing higher than sixth in the 2013-14 season. </p>
<p id="l2QZU9">When the eternal rivals meet on Saturday however, the two will find themselves separated by a mere three points on the table and in a dog fight for <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> places. Everton supporters received a boost in the run up to the match, with Blues manager, Carlo Ancelotti revealing both starting midfielder Allan and leading scorer, Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be fit to potentially start:</p>
<p id="ADgIuJ">“We preferred to give Allan one day training instead of staying on the bench,” the Italian coach said.</p>
<p id="kWaWTL">“He trained today and we hope he will be available for Saturday—to start. Also, Calvert-Lewin, I think, can start.”</p>
<p id="uJskGo">The last meeting between the two in October saw Everton sitting surprisingly top of the league after a fast start and the Reds on their tail in second place. Unfortunately for Liverpool, none of excitement in the 2-2 draw went in their favor: Jordan Pickford knocked Virgil Van Dijk out for the season, Richarlison injured Thiago Alcântara with a horror red card tackle and VAR erroneously chalked of Jordan Henderson’s late winner.</p>
<p id="ohhZWY">This time, both teams come into the fixture with poor league form, the Reds having lost three on the spin while their crosstown rivals have suffered three defeats in their last five outings. A win would take Everton even on points with Liverpool but still just behind them in 7<sup>th</sup> place. For the defending Premier League champions, a win is essential as the fellow Champions League aspirants begin to make their move in the run in. </p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/2/19/22290816/carlo-ancelotti-confirms-everton-star-fit-for-merseyside-derby-dominic-calvert-lewin-premier-leagueO.T. Obaisi2021-02-18T16:00:00+00:002021-02-18T16:00:00+00:00RB Leipzig Victory Will “Help to Get the Confidence Back” for Liverpool
<figure>
<img alt="RB Leipzig v Liverpool FC - UEFA Champions League Round Of 16 Leg One" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zlw3Y-fYZFfJqPIYD1DVlzGQZBs=/239x137:3980x2631/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68836618/1302493874.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Laszlo Szirtesi/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>After six weeks of domestic stumbles, Gini Wijnaldum says victory over Leipzig in Europe might be just what the Reds needed.</p> <p id="Hd3x3w">Liverpool’s performances in England over the past six weeks haven’t seen Jürgen Klopp’s defending champion Reds at anything like their dominant best, but they <em>have</em> been better than the results.</p>
<p id="8YMKj5">The end result of that, an extended run of average performances paired with poor results in the midst of a season of crippling injuries and without fans, has been to rather depress the mood.</p>
<p id="XHLV4d">Perhaps, though, all that was needed was a change of scenery. Like a trip to Europe to take on Leipzig in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a>. Different competition, different country, different result—and now everyone feeling a little more confident as a result.</p>
<p id="N14gjQ">“To play a good game and to win the game as well gives you a good feeling, a lot of good feelings,” <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolfc.com%2Fnews%2Ffirst-team%2F426194-wijnaldum-we-have-to-build-on-the-confidence-from-budapest&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2Fliverpool-fc-news-coverage%2F2021%2F2%2F18%2F22289066%2Frb-leipzig-victory-will-help-to-get-the-confidence-back-for-liverpool-gini-wijnaldum" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">said</a> Gini Wijnaldum. “And also confidence again because now you get rewarded for the game.</p>
<p id="8xfEwd">“Every game is a totally different game, so we just have to lift it up every game and give our all. But the win was welcome and we are happy we could win this game.”</p>
<p id="rREsIK">The trick now will be taking that confidence back to England and managing a consistent run in the league with three domestic games to play—starting with local rivals <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com">Everton</a> on Saturday—before the second leg against Leipzig.</p>
<p id="6eSJ5Z">“Before when we played good games, almost every time we won,” Wijnaldum added. “So this is something new for us, the situation we are in right now. We just have to deal with it and have faith we can turn it around.</p>
<p id="emRRve">“Games like this help to get the confidence back. It’s a difficult situation to be in but also from this situation we will learn and it will help us along the way.”</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2021/2/18/22289066/rb-leipzig-victory-will-help-to-get-the-confidence-back-for-liverpool-gini-wijnaldumNoel Chomyn