\n Image Credits: Imago Images <\/p>\n
Saturday\u2019s first Merseyside derby of the 2025\/26 season promises to deliver all the passion and drama as Liverpool welcome Everton to Anfield for a 12:30pm kick-off.<\/p>\n
Liverpool arrive at this fixture perched atop the Premier League table with a flawless record of four wins from four matches, having secured victories through late drama in each of their opening fixtures.<\/p>\n
Arne Slot\u2019s men have shown remarkable mental fortitude this season, scoring six goals after the 88th minute \u2013 a characteristic that has become their calling card during these early weeks.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Everton have likewise impressed under David Moyes, collecting seven points from their first four matches this season and eyeing a first Anfield victory since 2021.<\/p>\n
Jarrad Branthwaite remains a notable absentee for the Toffees, with the England defender still sidelined by the hamstring injury that has plagued him since pre-season.<\/p>\n
Vitalii Mykolenko presents another defensive concern for Moyes.<\/p>\n
After initially missing the opening fixtures, Mykolenko returned against Mansfield Town in the Carabao Cup and played the full ninety minutes in Everton\u2019s victory over Wolves. However, his injury troubles resurfaced during the international break.<\/p>\n
Speaking in his pre-Liverpool press conference<\/a>, Moyes admitted he does know if the defensive duo will be fit to feature \u2013 and added that there are a \u201cfew other knocks in the camp\u201d:<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re making progress and we\u2019ll see. We have got a couple of other knocks in the camp. We\u2019ll see how they are,\u201d Moyes said.<\/p>\n \u201cAny big derby in any big city are really important. This has always been an incredibly difficult game for me because we have always come up against a really good Liverpool team \u2013 whether it has been teams who have had some great players and made it really hard for us.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have always been competitive, it\u2019s not changed, and always do everything we can to try to get a victory.\u201d<\/p>\n The Scot added on the gap between the two Merseyside clubs:<\/p>\n \u201cThe gap between the two clubs in my first stint was as closer as it\u2019s ever been. We finished above them a couple of times but I\u2019ve got to say, it\u2019s been hard because they have been a successful football club winning trophies.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have had to live with that and get on with our own problems, probably more recently, but we are in a much better place and heading to a much better place.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE: MET Office delivers weather warning for Merseyside derby<\/a><\/p>\n