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2023/24 English Premier League
Matchday 9
Liverpool v Everton
Anfield
Liverpool, England
Saturday, 21 October 2023
Kick-off is at 13h30
More than just three points will be on the line when Liverpool lock horns with neighbours Everton at Anfield in the
243rd Merseyside derby on Saturday, October 21.
It's a fixture that divides families supporting the two clubs either side of Stanley Park and is the longest-running top-flight derby in English football, having been played continuously since the 1962-63 season.
The Reds are looking to get their Premier League campaign back on track after picking up just one point from their last two games before the international break.
A 2-1 loss to Tottenham on September 30 brought an end to their unbeaten start to the season and Jurgen Klopp's side were held to a 2-2 draw by Brighton the following weekend as they dropped three points behind the league leaders in fourth place.
Spurs (1st) and Arsenal (2nd) both won to open up a two-point gap to Manchester City, who slipped to third in the standings after they suffered a second consecutive defeat.
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The Toffees registered only their second win of the campaign when they beat Bournemouth 3-0 at Goodison Park on October 7 to pull three points clear of the relegation zone in 16th spot.
Sean Dyche will be hoping his team has turned the corner after a shaky start which saw the Merseysiders go winless in their opening five matches.
Luton (17th), Burnley (18th), Bournemouth (19th) and Sheffield United (20th) all suffered defeats prior to the international break to remain entrenched in the relegation mire.
Mohamed Salah is now LIverpool's top scorer this term following his brace against the Seagulls. The Egyptian star was the subject of a mega-money bid from Saudi Arabia during the summer transfer window, but refused to let that distract him as he went about contributing five goals and four assists in eight league appearances.
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Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be desperate to get a run of games for Everton after his injury struggles over the past two seasons.The 26-year-old striker missed three matches at the start of 2023-24, but has featured in the last four games and scored twice, while starting against the Hatters and the Cherries.
Klopp felt the Reds could have bounced back against Albion had they taken their chances, although he conceded the result was a fair outcome.
"I think it is clear in the second half we should have scored for 3-1, there were one or two really good opportunities," the German said.
"But because we don't score there, we keep the game open and in this area where the free-kick happened we produced too many set-pieces, corners and especially free-kicks. It was intense for both teams, so I think it's the right result in the end."
Calvert-Lewin has credited Dyche for helping him get back to peak condition and restoring his confidence after numerous injury setbacks.
"The manager has played a massive role," he said. "I think I've been victim of my own eagerness in trying to rush back and also the expectation from others, at times, in wanting me to be fit because of what I can bring to the table.
"I think it turned into a bit of a vicious cycle. Now, since the manager came in, he's been big on me trusting my body again and feeling good in my body. It's not about just ticking off the boxes in terms of being fit to play, it's more about how I feel in myself.
"It took a lot of guts from the manager to bat off questions about me every week. He put it to bed by saying I'd be back when I was ready and that gave me confidence and a bit of relief, really."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Liverpool - 2
Everton - 1
Draws - 1
Premier League Matchday 9 fixtures:
Saturday, October 21
13h30: Liverpool v Everton
16h00: Bournemouth v Wolverhampton Wanderers
16h00: Brentford v Burnley
16h00: Manchester City v Brighton & Hove Albion
16h00: Newcastle United v Crystal Palace
16h00: Nottingham Forest v Luton Town
18h30: Chelsea v Arsenal
21h00: Sheffield United v Manchester United
Sunday, October 22
17h30: Aston Villa v West Ham United
Monday, October 23
21h00: Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham
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