Game used for reference: Liverpool 3-2 Atletico Madrid, 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League, Group Stage
It’s time.
One of the biggest rivalries in English football is returning, as the Toffees will travel to Anfield and face off against Liverpool. Both sides have had good starts to the season considering their respective contexts.
Liverpool have gone unbeaten in the Premier League so far, and are looking like early title favorites, and for good reason. Although they lost Trent Alexander Arnold to Real Madrid, they’ve replaced him with Jeremie Frimpong and have brought in Alexander Isak to bolster the attack.
The Reds under Arne Slot are a tactical nuicance from the perspective of their opponents. They have the quality to control possession in tight spaces, and have the pace to beat almost every center back pairing in the league. The defense is led by Virgil Van Dijk, who is still one of the best defenders in the world, and his heading ability is dangerous on both sides of the field.
If Everton want to win this game away from home, they’ll have to lay back and be patient before going forward on offense. Liverpool leave a lot of space behind their fullbacks. If Everton’s wingers are able to push forward into space, they could find some good chances inside the box.
The aerial battle will also be incredibly important. Will Everton’s backline provide stability during corners? Against other teams, probably. But against Liverpool, the task is twice as hard.
Everton fans shouldn’t expect to come out of this match with three points, especially if Vitalii Mykolenko isn’t available, but a shock result is always possible in the Merseyside Derby.