7′ A VAR check confirms that Van Dijk is just a fraction offside from Fabinho’s cross, saving Everton from conceding a penalty and perhaps a red card for Pickford.
6′ Van Dijk attempts to latch on to a cross at the back post, but gets clattered by Pickford. The Dutchman is offside, but is still on the receiving end of a tough challenge. Pickford is very fortunate that Van Dijk just strayed there.
5′ Mane angles a cross into the box from the left flank towards the late run of Henderson. The Liverpool skipper cannot make a clean connection with his effort, allowing Digne to clear behind.
3′ Robertson latches on to an offload down the left and works his way past Coleman before teeing up Mane to score.
S. Mané
Goal
3′ GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!! MANE SLAMS HOME FROM CLOSE RANGE!!! 1-0!!! Liverpool take the lead out of nowhere. Robertson collects in acres of space down the left flank and he skips past Coleman with ease. The Scot cuts a cross back to Mane in space and the forward makes no mistake, firing the ball into the top-right corner giving Pickford no chance.
2′ Van Dijk gives away another foul on the half-way line for barging into the back of Richarlison. The Everton players are already in the ear of the referee.
1′ Van Dijk clatters into James in the early stages, giving away a free-kick just inside the Everton half.
1′ We’re underway in the Merseyside derby.
Everton are winless in 19 Premier League meetings with Liverpool (D11 L8), since a 2-0 win in October 2010.
Liverpool have made four changes to their side that was beaten by Aston Villa. Alisson is still not fit, which means Adrian retains his place in goal. Gomez drops out of the starting line-up for Matip, while Henderson returns to the midfield. Thiago and Mane have overcome their bouts of coronavirus to play today, with the former making his first start for the Reds.
Everton are have made one change to their side from their win over Brighton last time out. Davies drops out of the line-up and is replaced by Allan. Pickford retain his spot despite the signing of Olsen. The Sweden keeper starts on the bench after signing on loan from Roma. Ben Godfrey also appears on the bench following his deadline-day move from Norwich City. Ancelotti keeps faith with Mina and Keane as his centre-back pairing for the clash against the Reds.
LIVERPOOL SUBS: Georginio Wijnaldum, James Milner, Joe Gomez, Curtis Jones, Takumi Minamino, Diogo Jota, Caoimhin Kelleher.
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Adrian; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson; Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara; Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane.
EVERTON SUBS: Fabian Delph, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Alex Iwobi, Bernard, Ben Godfrey, Tom Davies, Robin Olsen.
EVERTON (4-3-3): Jordan Pickford; Seamus Coleman, Yerry Mina, Michael Keane, Lucas Digne; Abdoulaye Doucoure, Allan, Andre Gomes; James Rodriguez, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison.
The international break came at precisely the right time for Liverpool. The Reds put forward one of their worst performances in their recent history last time out, conceding seven goals against Aston Villa on the road. Jurgen Klopp’s side had a game to forget to end their perfect start to the campaign. They now need to re-establish their dominance in the top flight with a bounce back game against their rivals.
Everton have been the pacesetters in the early stages of the Premier League campaign, winning all four of their matches. Carlo Ancelotti’s men have defeated Tottenham, West Brom, Crystal Palace and Brighton and Hove Albion thus far, but their local rivals will provide the ultimate test. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has hit the ground running this term and will be out to continue his outstanding form in the Merseyside derby.
Good afternoon and welcome to the live commentary of the Premier League clash between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park.
A. Robertson
Assist