Liverpool vs. Everton: Relentless hosts ‘above even-money favourites’ to defeat city rivals

Liverpool continued their irrepressible form with another home win over Sheffield United in the Premier League on Thursday.

They recorded more passes in a match than any other side in Premier League history on the way to winning 2-0 in an utterly dominant display.

Upon first glance, they look excellent value to continue that form by defeating Merseyside rivals Everton on Sunday (16:01 GMT) in what is undoubtedly the stand-out tie of the FA Cup third round.

The Reds are 21/20 to win the match, with a first Everton win at Anfield since 1999 only 23/10.

The draw – and therefore a subsequent replay at Goodison Park – is 5/2.

The reasons for closer odds than you may expect are two-fold: Jurgen Klopp is expected to make several changes in order to rest key men for the assault on the Premier League title, and the visitors have significantly improved since sacking Marco Silva after the embarrassing 5-2 defeat at Anfield in early December.

KYIV, UKRAINE – MAY 26, 2018: James Milner of Liverpool in action during the UEFA Champions League Final 2018 game against Real Madrid at NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kyiv. Liverpool lost 1-3

Indeed, appointing a man who has won both the Premier League and the Champions League in his distinguished career in Carlo Ancelotti was a huge coup by the Everton board, and the Italian has rewarded them with two wins from three Premier League games since taking charge to steer them away from the relegation zone.

Moreover, as Napoli manager he consistently frustrated Klopp and Liverpool in the Champions League, winning two, drawing one and losing one of the four matches between the two sides in the 2018 and 2019 group stages.

Neither side have progressed deep into the FA Cup for a few years now, with Everton reaching the semi-final in 2016 and Liverpool the same stage in 2015.

But with Liverpool having won the Champions League last season and looking like finally winning their first top-flight title since 1990 this campaign, it’s fair to say this tie is probably a little bigger for an Everton side without a trophy since they won the FA Cup in 1995.

Liverpool’s new signing Takumi Minamino, who was signed at the start of the January transfer window from FC Salzburg for £7.25m, is set to make his debut in this match, with the likes of Divock Origi, Adam Lallana and Harvey Elliott expected to feature alongside him in attacking roles.

The Japan international, who has scored 11 times in 22 caps for his country, is a generous-looking 3/1 to score anytime. Origi, meanwhile, who has a superb record against Everton, is 2/1.

For the visitors, forwards Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison have both made superb starts under Ancelotti, and they are 5/2 and 15/8 respectively to get on the score-sheet.