Mark Lawrenson predicts Liverpool vs Everton result

Mark Lawrenson has told BBC Sport that he expects Liverpool and Everton to play out a 1-1 draw when the two meet in the Merseyside derby this weekend.

Neither side will be out of the race for the top four by any means should they lose on Saturday. However, there is no question that defeat would be a big blow for either.

Liverpool sit sixth in the table. Jurgen Klopp’s men have lost their last three in the Premier League. Only Southampton are on a longer run of consecutive defeats right now.

The Reds did however, secure a hugely impressive win in the Champions League in midweek.

Nevertheless, Lawrenson suggested that coming up against Everton will suit the champions less than facing RB Leipzig.

“We saw a good response from Jurgen Klopp’s side in their Champions League win against RB Leipzig on Tuesday but that game suited them because the German side pressed them high up the pitch and left space behind,” he told BBC Sport as he predicted a 1-1.

“Everton won’t do that. I watched their game against Manchester City on Wednesday and they played one up top in Richarlison and had numbers in midfield to try to deny City space.

“The Toffees have only taken one point from their past three games so they are hardly flying form-wise either, but they seem to be far better away from home at the moment – and of course Liverpool have suddenly found it hard to get a result at Anfield, which is another reason Everton will fancy their chances.”

As Lawrenson notes, Carlo Ancelotti’s side are not in the best place either. In fact, they have taken fewer points from their last six than their next opponents.

They do have a game in hand over Liverpool, and currently sit just three points behind. So a win for the Toffees would be a huge statement of intent.

As previously mentioned, neither side’s top four hopes will end whatever happens on Saturday. But they will know that there is a big opportunity to regain a huge amount of momentum.

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