PL Week 30, April 1st, 2025

Match Prediction: Liverpool vs. Everton

Summary

The Merseyside Derby at Anfield on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, pits third-placed Liverpool against a struggling Everton side fighting to avoid relegation. Liverpool’s impressive home record and attacking depth make them clear favorites, while Everton will rely on their defensive organization under Sean Dyche to frustrate their city rivals. This match carries significant implications for both teams—Liverpool aiming to solidify their Champions League spot and Everton desperate for points to escape the drop zone.

Liverpool’s Form and Tactical Approach

Liverpool have been dominant at Anfield this season, boasting an unbeaten home record and averaging 2.6 goals per game while conceding just 0.7 goals per match. Jürgen Klopp’s side operates in a high-intensity 4-3-3 system that emphasizes pressing and quick transitions. Mohamed Salah remains their key attacking threat, leading the team with 18 league goals this season. Darwin Núñez and Luis Díaz provide pace and creativity on the flanks, while Trent Alexander-Arnold’s inverted role as a playmaker from right-back adds an extra dimension to Liverpool’s midfield.

The midfield trio of Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones, and Dominik Szoboszlai offers a balance of defensive stability and attacking flair. Mac Allister’s ability to dictate play from deep complements Szoboszlai’s dynamism in advanced areas. The return of Virgil van Dijk has fortified Liverpool’s defense, providing leadership and aerial dominance against set-piece threats.

Everton’s Challenges and Strategy

Everton have struggled on the road this season, averaging just 0.9 goals per away game while conceding heavily against top-tier opposition. Sean Dyche’s defensive 4-5-1 setup prioritizes compactness and counter-attacking through wide players like Demarai Gray and Dwight McNeil. However, the absence of a reliable striker—due to Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s recurring injuries—has severely hampered Everton’s ability to convert chances.

Dyche will aim to frustrate Liverpool by deploying a deep defensive block and focusing on set-pieces as their primary attacking outlet. James Tarkowski and Michael Keane will be tasked with neutralizing Liverpool’s aerial threats, while midfielders Idrissa Gueye and Amadou Onana will look to disrupt Liverpool’s rhythm in central areas.

Key Battle: Salah vs. Mykolenko

Mohamed Salah’s duel with Vitaliy Mykolenko on Everton’s left flank could define the game. Salah’s ability to cut inside onto his stronger left foot poses a significant threat, especially with Alexander-Arnold overlapping to stretch Everton’s defense.

Historical Context

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 12 Merseyside Derbies at Anfield across all competitions—a streak that highlights their dominance in this fixture. Everton last secured a victory at Anfield in February 2021 but have struggled to replicate such performances since then.

Statistical Indicators

• Liverpool have scored at least two goals in each of their last five home matches.

• Everton have failed to score in four of their last six away games.

• Liverpool average 63% possession at home, compared to Everton’s average of just 38% away from home.

Tactical Battleground

Liverpool's Strategy

Klopp is likely to deploy his preferred 4-3-3 formation with an emphasis on high pressing and quick ball recovery in advanced areas. The creative interplay between Alexander-Arnold and Szoboszlai will be crucial in breaking down Everton's compact defensive structure. Salah's movement into central areas will create space for overlapping runs by Alexander-Arnold or Núñez, while Van Dijk's presence during set-pieces will add an aerial threat.

Everton's Gameplan

Dyche will focus on nullifying Liverpool's attacking threats by maintaining a narrow defensive shape designed to block passing lanes into central areas. Onana's physicality in midfield could help disrupt Liverpool's buildup play, while Gray's pace on the counter offers a glimmer of hope for Everton to exploit spaces left by Liverpool's advanced full-backs.

Predicted Lineups

Liverpool (4-3-3)

• Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker

• Defenders: Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson

• Midfielders: Mac Allister, Jones, Szoboszlai

• Forwards: Salah, Núñez, Díaz

  
  

Everton (4-5-1)

• Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford

• Defenders: Patterson, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko

• Midfielders: Gueye, Onana, Doucouré; Gray, McNeil

• Forward: Maupay

  
  

Score Prediction: Liverpool 🟢 3-0 🔴 Everton

First Half (2-0)

Liverpool start strongly with high pressing that overwhelms Everton's midfield. Salah opens the scoring in the 20th minute after combining with Alexander-Arnold on the right flank. A second goal follows shortly before halftime as Núñez capitalizes on a loose ball inside the box after Pickford fails to clear a corner effectively.

Second Half (3-0)

Everton attempt to regroup but struggle to create meaningful chances due to Liverpool's organized pressing. Van Dijk seals the victory with a towering header from Szoboszlai's corner in the 75th minute. Despite late substitutions by Dyche aimed at injecting pace into counter-attacks, Everton fail to breach Alisson’s goal as Liverpool comfortably see out the match.

Conclusion

Liverpool’s superior attacking quality combined with their home advantage should prove too much for an Everton side lacking firepower and confidence away from Goodison Park. While Dyche may succeed in frustrating Klopp's men early on with disciplined defending, Liverpool's relentless pressure is likely to break through as the match progresses. This result would further consolidate Liverpool's position in the top four while deepening Everton's relegation worries.

PL “WEEK 30” REMAINING ‘AI’ PREDICTIONS:

Arsenal 🟢 2-0 🔴 Fulham

Reasoning: Arsenal's superior home form and attacking options should comfortably defeat Fulham, who struggle defensively against top-six teams.

Key Trends: Arsenal averages 1.8 goals per home game; Fulham concedes heavily away from home.

Wolves 🟢 1-1 🔴 West Ham

Reasoning: Both teams are inconsistent mid-table sides likely to cancel each other out in a closely contested match.

Key Trends: Wolves have drawn three of their last five games; West Ham averages only 0.9 goals per away match.

Manchester United 🟢 2-1 🔴 Nottingham Forest

Reasoning: United’s attacking quality should edge out Forest despite their strong home record.

Key Trends: United has won four of their last five matches; Forest struggles against top-six opposition.

Bournemouth 🟢 2-0 🔴 Ipswich Town

Reasoning: Bournemouth's experience in the Premier League should be enough to overcome newly promoted Ipswich Town at home.

Key Trends: Bournemouth averages 1.5 points per home match; Ipswich has lost three of their last five games.

Brighton 🟢 1-1 🔴 Aston Villa

Reasoning: Both teams are evenly matched tactically; a draw seems the most likely outcome given their recent form trends.Key Trends: Brighton has drawn two of their last five matches; Villa is unbeaten in four away games.

Manchester City 🟢 4-0 🔴 Leicester City

Reasoning: City’s dominance at the Etihad coupled with Leicester’s defensive vulnerabilities suggests a comfortable win for Guardiola's side.

Key Trends: City averages 2.4 goals per home game; Leicester has conceded heavily in away matches this season.

Newcastle 🟢 2-1 🔴 Brentford

Reasoning: Newcastle’s strong home record should help them edge out Brentford in a competitive game despite Brentford's resilience on the road.Key Trends: Newcastle has won three of their last five matches; Brentford has lost seven of their last ten away games.

Crystal Palace 🟢 1-0 🔴 Southampton

Reasoning: Palace’s defensive organization under Roy Hodgson should see them narrowly defeat struggling Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium.

Key Trends: Palace averages just over one goal per game; Southampton has lost four of their last six matches.

Chelsea 🟢 1-1 🔴 Tottenham Hotspur

Reasoning: A closely fought London derby is likely to end in a stalemate given both teams’ tactical setups and recent form trends.

Key Trends: Chelsea has drawn two of their last five matches; Spurs are unbeaten in three consecutive games but struggle defensively away from home.