23′ That was pretty poor defending from Liverpool in the build-up to Everton’s goal. Robertson initially failed to clear the danger and Lovren could have done better to cut out Iwobi’s cross. The mood has become a lot more nervy at Anfield.
21′ GOOOOOAAAALLLL!!! LIVERPOOL 2-1 EVERTON!! Maybe it isn’t quite game over just yet! Iwobi’s cross falls kindly for Keane, who keeps his composure to flick the ball over stand-in Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian from close range.
19′ It is the first time Liverpool forward Mane has assisted twice in a Premier League game since March 2018 (v Watford).
S. Mané
Assist
17′ Mane has been exceptional in the opening quarter of this one-sided Merseyside derby. He waited for a team-mate to make a run in behind and spotted Shaqiri when he did so with a perfectly-weighted pass.
X. Shaqiri
Goal
17′ GOOOOOAAAALLLL!!! LIVERPOOL 2-0 EVERTON!! Shaqiri doubles Liverpool’s lead following another fine team move! Mane controls Alexander-Arnold’s diagonal pass, cuts inside from the left and slots the ball in behind for Shaqiri, who tucks it past Pickford with a first-time finish.
15′ Liverpool have had 70 per cent of the ball so far, with Everton not really asking any questions of their opponents. Robertson lands heavily on Davies, who reacts angrily. The referee does well to break things up.
13′ Digne’s cross into the box from the left is cleared into the stands by Van Dijk. The throw-in is launched into the box, flicked on a couple of times and Calvert-Lewin is about to strike goalwards, only for Milner to get to it first.
11′ Holgate makes a good challenge to thwart Mane, who was trying to get on the end of Van Dijk’s pass. Liverpool look as though they could help themselves to a few goals today.
9′ It would be harsh on Everton to say Liverpool deserved that early breakthrough, but the hosts have undoubtedly been the team on top since kick-off. This one looks as though it will go the way of the form book, unless the visitors can muster some magic from somewhere.
7′ Origi has now scored in all four matches against Everton for Liverpool at Anfield (four goals). Only Dirk Kuyt (5), Robbie Fowler (6) and Steven Gerrard (9) have scored more goals for Liverpool in the Merseyside derby in Premier League history.
S. Mané
Assist
6′ Mane played an inch-perfect pass in behind Mina and Keane for Origi, who timed his run perfectly, to collect and take past Pickford. It looked simple, but that was a quality goal.
D. Origi
Goal
6′ GOOOOOAAAALLL!!!! LIVERPOOL 1-0 EVERTON!! Well that didn’t take long! Liverpool hit Everton on the counter, Mane slots the ball in behind and Origi gets to it ahead of Pickford, who is left stranded. It is a simple finish for Origi, the match-winner in this fixture last season, into an empty net.
5′ The tempo of the match has dropped over the past couple of minutes, which will suit Everton just fine. Liverpool are patiently passing the ball around in search of an early breakthrough.
4′ That was a half-decent opportunity for Mane, who is supported in attack today by Origi and Shaqiri – it is far from a full-strength Liverpool. Everton have not really settled just yet.
3′ Origi gets in behind early on but his cutback is dealt with by Holgate. Thirty seconds later, Robertson’s cross is headed over by Mane from 12 yards. It has been a pretty frenetic start to the contest, as expected.
1′ KICK-OFF! Liverpool, aiming to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League, get us up and running in this Merseyside derby!
The teams are coming out onto the pitch at Anfield, with kick-off just moments away.
As for Everton, they are unchanged for this derby clash. The visitors were somewhat unfortunate to lose 2-1 at Leicester City three days ago and Silva has opted to stick with the same XI, meaning what is effectively a back five for this short trip to Anfield. Calvert-Lewin will continue to operate up top, with support offered from wide by Iwobi and Richarlison, who signed a new five-year deal on Tuesday. Walcott has recovered from illness to take a spot on the bench.
Klopp has, somewhat surprisingly, made five changes from Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion at the weekend. Shaqiri comes in for his first start of the season and Origi, the match-winner in this corresponding fixture last season, is also given the nod in place of benched duo Salah and Firmino in attack. Milner and Lallana are selected in midfield, with Henderson and Oxlade-Chamberlain dropping out, while Adrian is in for suspended goalkeeper Alisson.
Everton subs: Morgan Schneiderlin, Leighton Baines, Cenk Tosun, Bernard, Moise Kean, Theo Walcott, Jonas Lossl.
EVERTON STARTING XI (5-4-1): Jordan Pickford; Djibril Sidibe, Mason Holgate, Yerry Mina, Michael Keane, Lucas Digne; Alex Iwobi, Tom Davies, Gylfi Sigurdsson (c), Richarlison; Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Liverpool subs: Caoimhin Kelleher, Mohamed Salah, Joe Gomez, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, Roberto Firmino.
LIVERPOOL STARTING XI (4-3-3): Adrian; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dejan Lovren, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Georginio Wijnaldum, Adam Lallana, James Milner (c); Xherdan Shaqiri, Sadio Mane, Divock Origi.
The visitors are not exactly in great form, either, entering this match 17th and just two points above the relegation zone. In fact, should results go against them, they could well end the day occupying a place in the bottom three. With just two wins from their last 10 league outings, defeat against their bitter rivals may just spell the end for under-fire boss Marco Silva.
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 31 top-flight games and will set a new club record for their longest-ever such run should they avoid defeat today. History is not exactly on Everton’s side, as they are winless in their last 17 league matches against their neighbours and have not picked up three points at this ground since 1999.
Premier League leaders Liverpool enter this first Merseyside derby of the season sitting a healthy eight points clear of Leicester City and Manchester City, with the latter having played a game more. It has been an incredible campaign so far for Jurgen Klopp’s side, who have dropped just two points from the first 42 on offer.
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Premier League meeting between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield.
M. Keane
Goal