Liverpool predicted XI vs Everton: Adrian in goal, Salah on the bench?

Liverpool host their arch rivals at Anfield looking to maintain their unbeaten run this season, here’s how they will line-up.

Who doesn’t love the Merseyside derby? The excitement in the air. The raucous atmosphere. The palpable tension. Two sets of fans who utterly despise one another. The blues who frown upon the Reds and vice versa. Neither could ever stomach donning the opposition’s shirt and that bitterness can be felt in the stands as soon as the game kicks off. It is Liverpool against Everton.

It is a true classic. With ferocity, strong challenges, drama and violent tussles. Everything the neutral could wish for.

In that utter hostile environment come two teams who have had vastly different fortunes this season. Liverpool have been unbeatable and currently sit top of the league eight points clear of the rest. Meanwhile Everton are just two points away from the relegation zone and have been utterly disappointing throughout the beginning of the current campaign.

The Blues have had a torrid time but regardless of Everton’s current form this will by no means be any easy game for the Reds. Despite Everton’s relatively minnow status compared to that of Liverpool, the Blues are renowned for making life difficult for the Reds in previous derby encounters.

Think of last season’s fixture where Divock Origi popped up in the dying seconds to score the winner or the 0-0 draw at Goodison Park earlier this year. In both occasions the Blues provided a strong and resolute performance and a rigid backline which was difficult to breakdown for the Reds.

Jurgen Klopp’s side should no doubt expect the same treatment this time around and they must be on their best game in order to ensure there are no slips up. Everton will have nothing to lose and the Blues will give it everything they’ve got which will no doubt make the derby a thrilling encounter.

Here’s how Liverpool are expected to line-up.

Goalkeeper: Adrian

Right Back: Trent Alexander-Arnold

Centre Back: Dejan Lovren

Centre Back: Virgil Van Dijk

Left Back: Andrew Robertson

Holding Midfielder: Jordan Henderson

Central Midfielder: Georginio Wijnaldum

Central Midfielder: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Right Wing: Divock Origi

Striker: Roberto Firmino

Left Wing: Sadio Mane

The key exclusion for the Reds will be Mohamed Salah who is still nursing an ankle injury. After playing against Napoli and starting at the weekend against Brighton a third game in a week might be too much for the Egyptian and Jurgen Klopp is expected to drop him to the bench to ensure Salah does not aggravate his injury.

In his place comes Divock Origi who has a great record against Everton and tends to score in derby matches which makes him a more than capable deputy.

In midfield Chamberlain’s added drive going forward will ensure the extra intensity Liverpool will need to breakdown the Everton backline and his potent long-range shot makes him a threat from even outside the box if the Reds are struggling to cut through the Everton defence.

The Liverpool defence and the goalkeeper is pretty much as you would expect with Alisson Becker’s suspension Adrian is expected to come into the side and the Reds will be hoping he will not be ‘a frozen’ goalkeeper as Jurgen Klopp described him via the Guardian after conceding against Brighton at the weekend.

What do you think will this line-up be good enough to secure another Merseyside derby win for the Reds?