Mark Lawrenson is backing Liverpool to beat Everton 2-0 today.
Mark Lawrenson
Pundit Mark Lawrenson has told BBC Sport that he thinks Liverpool will beat Everton 2-0 at Anfield this afternoon.
The Reds head into the game having drawn 1-1 at Manchester City in their last Premier League game before the international break, but manager Jurgen Klopp has been handed a blow over the last fortnight.
Playmaker Adam Lallana has suffered a thigh injury whilst playing for England during the international break, ruling him out for a month – and keeping him out of today’s Merseyside derby.
Liverpool’s form has picked up again of late with three wins in the last five games, but Klopp’s men must continue that in order to guarantee a top four place, and they will be hoping to beat rivals Everton today.
The Toffees lost the reverse fixture against the Reds 1-0 in December, and will be looking for revenge at Anfield – but have suffered injury blows of their own.
Seamus Coleman’s awful broken leg will keep him out for at least six months, whilst fellow defender Ramiro Funes Mori is out for the rest of the season, and midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin is also out of today’s game.
With seven wins from ten in the Premier League since the turn of the year, Everton have been in sensational form of late, and can move just three points behind Liverpool with a win today – but Mark Lawrenson is backing the Reds to claim a 2-0 derby day win.
Everton’s Seamus Coleman
Lawrenson told BBC Sport that he thinks Coleman is a huge loss for Everton, and whilst he isn’t a fan of early kick-offs, he is predicting an open game and a victory for the hosts.
“Everton are sadly without Seamus Coleman after he broke his leg while playing for the Republic of Ireland, and it will be interesting to see how Ronald Koeman replaces him,” said Lawrenson. “Mason Holgate can play there, and he will probably come in, but Coleman will be a big loss. Liverpool are also without one of their key players, Adam Lallana, although the injury he sustained on international duty for England is far less serious.”
“I am not a fan of these early kick-offs, which don’t often seem to produce much excitement, but I do think this will be an open game. I don’t think Everton will go to Anfield and just try to to defend, which is the main reason I am backing Liverpool to win. As everyone knows, when teams do sit in against Liverpool, it normally causes Jurgen Klopp’s side problems, but I don’t think Koeman is the type of manager who will try it,” he added.
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