LIVERPOOL have finally got their season up and running with back-to-back Anfield victories and will be desperate to build more momentum when they head across Stanley Park for a Goodison derby with Everton.
The manner of those last two wins couldn't have been more different, with Jurgen Klopp's men crushing Bournemouth 9-0 before coming from behind to edge out Newcastle 2-1 with a goal in the dying seconds of stoppage time.
It's clear Liverpool still isn't at the top of their game, especially in defence, but that's perhaps understandable given the number of injuries they have suffered to some key players.
With the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Spurs all hitting their stride early on, it's important the Reds don't drop any more points but they won't get it easy against their local rivals here.
Everton are still seeking their first league win of the season but Frank Lampard has made them much harder to beat, with draws in their last three Premier League outings.
The Toffees boss has concentrated on building a British spine to his side and the shrewd additions of Conor Coady and James Tarkowski have significantly shored up a defence that was so leaky last term.
But Everton are still lacking a cutting edge up front, averaging less than a goal a game, and Lampard will need to find a solution if he wants to guide the club into the top half of the Premier League table.
How the bookies view it
Despite their unconvincing start to the season, Liverpool are red-hot favourites for the Merseyside derby at a best 3/7 with SBK. Everton are as big as 15/2 at Unibet while the draw pays 21/5 at VBet.
Recent head to head
There hasn't been much to cheer about on the blue half of the city in recent years, with Everton winning just one of the last 26 derbies. That victory came two seasons ago at Anfield and the Toffees had the bragging rights for once with the other derby that term ending in a Goodison draw.
But it was back to despair last season as Liverpool comfortably won both meetings, with a 4-1 thumping at Goodison followed by a 2-0 triumph on home soil.
Players to watch
I backed Luis Diaz for a midweek goal only for the Colombian to let me down by blazing over the bar after taking the ball round the keeper. Mo Salah has drawn blanks in his last two but that suggests he's due a goal so I'm backing the Egyptian for anytime scorer here at 21/20 with Bet365.
Anthony Gordon has been the subject of intense speculation this summer but can now concentrate on his football with the transfer window closed. The young winger has netted in his last two games and is 5/1 with SBK to add a derby goal to his CV.
Anything else catch the eye?
The card market helped me bring up a full house of tips in Liverpool's rout of Bournemouth and backing a busy day for the ref could pay off here too. Over 4.5 cards pays 6/5 at BetVictor but the odds are more tempting for individual players. Nathan Patterson will face a big test up against the tricky Diaz so I fancy the Everton right-back for a card at 27/10 with BetVictor.
Tackles should be flying in and the 17/20 on offer at Unibet for over 10.5 Everton fouls looks good, especially for accas.
Klopp's side racked up 13 corners against Newcastle in midweek so that market appeals too, with Liverpool -4 paying 13/10 at BetVictor in the handicap. Over 10.5 match corners also appeals at 11/10 with Unibet.
This English Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool FC will be played on Sep 3, 2022 and kick off at 12:30. Check below for our tipsters best Everton vs Liverpool FC prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
Gordon to score 1st or anytime 14/1 or 5/1 WH / b365.