This weekend will see both Merseyside clubs take on both Manchester clubs with Everton hosting Manchester United and Liverpool travelling to the Etihad to face Manchester City.
Liverpool
The last time the Reds faced City, they came out on top with a 2-0 victory over the Sky-Blues thanks to goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah.
The Manchester side have had a turbulent season so far, already dropping eight more points and accumulating over twice as many losses as they did in the entirety of the 2023/2024 season.
City have been missing Rodri since he ruptured his ACL in the side’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal in September last year; his absence has left a void in the Man City midfield which the side have been unable to fill.
City have clearly had some difficulty defensively, as they have conceded 11 goals more than they did at this stage last season and Pep Guardiola can only hope that new signing Nico Gonzalez lives up to his £50 million price tag and restores some balance to his team.
Liverpool, however, have been flying under new boss Arne Slot and find themselves 3 points better off than they did at this stage last season under Jurgen Klopp.
The two managers have an extremely similar record in terms of goals scored, conceded and overall points.
The Red’s have only made one signing under Arne Slot in Federico Chiesa, who is yet to return to the form he displayed in Turin for Juventus.
Though many fans were worried at the failure to sign a big-name holding midfielder, Ryan Gravenberch has answered all questions thrown at him, even being compared to ex-Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard by the media.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Martin Keown deemed Gravenberch ‘the most improved player in a Liverpool shirt’ after his impressive performances.
Another player to thrive under Slot’s Dutch influence is fellow compatriot Cody Gakpo. The forward has found his feet in a Liverpool shirt this season, netting eight times for the Reds and becoming a crucial player for the side.
Speaking ahead of their Champions League playoff match against Real Madrid, Bernardo Silva told the media ‘the Premier League is done for us, our goal is a completely different one now.’
Despite Silva’s admission, Manchester City will no doubt be fired up for Sunday’s clash at the Etihad after beating Carabao Cup finalists Newcastle United 4-0 last time out.
City face Real Madrid tonight as they look to overcome a 3-2 deficit from their first leg in order to stay in the Champions League.
Liverpool also play tonight as they face Aston Villa in the Premier League. Villa have been struggling for form as of late, accumulating just three points from their last three games including a 1-1 draw at home to 10-man Ipswich who sit 18th in the league.
Villa Park📍#AVLLIV pic.twitter.com/UCApMP8To0
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 19, 2025
With a win tonight, Liverpool will go 10 points clear of Arsenal ahead of the Gunners’ match against West Ham this Saturday.
Both Slot and Guardiola will be hoping for positive results tonight ahead of their clash this Sunday, which will be closely watched by Arsenal fans with crossed fingers.
Everton
The Blues have been flying under new boss David Moyes in his second stint at the club.
Everton were just one point above the relegation zone when Moyes took over but now find themselves 13 points clear after taking 13 points from a possible 18, in the six games under the Scot.
Everton host an underwhelming Manchester United side in Saturday’s early kickoff.
The Toffees surpassed United in the league following their win away at Crystal Palace.
Moyes had a short spell at Manchester United in the 2013-2014 season, playing successor to Sir Alex Ferguson but was released from his duty after the Red Devils failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since the 1995-1996 season.
Amorim found himself on the end of his eighth loss in the Premier League after just 14 games in charge; when comparing that to Moyes’ first 14 games you can only wonder how long Amorim will be given at Manchester United.
Of course, Amorim joined Manchester United with the side already down in 13th place with as many wins as losses, but the situation hasn’t exactly improved since the Portuguese manager took charge of the club.
Moyes has certainly proven himself as the right man for the job in the Goodison Park dugout, completely turning the Toffees’ season on its head since he replaced Sean Dyche in January.
The new Blues’ boss has racked up more wins than his predecessor in less than a third of the amount of games and has accrued, just five less goals and points.
With Manchester United scoring just two goals in their last four games and Everton scoring nine in their last four, the Toffees will be hoping to add another victory to Moyes’ impressive record so far.
Moyes’ new signing Carlos Alcaraz got a goal and an assist in his first start for the club and looks to be an exciting prospect and the main creative outlet in the Everton side following the injury to Iliman Ndiaye.
Another one to watch against United this Saturday is Guinea-Bissau international, Beto. The striker has scored four goals in the three games that he’s started since replacing the injured Dominic-Calvert-Lewin.
Battling for every ball. Fighting for the team. Taking his chance – again. 👏
With 72% of last night's vote, your #EVECRY POTM is… Beto! 💙 pic.twitter.com/QkA26vuOvy
— Everton (@Everton) February 16, 2025
Calvert-Lewin is just one of Everton’s many injuries. Ndaiye, Patterson, Coleman, Chermiti, Broja and McNeil all remain out through injury whilst Abdoulaye Doucoure is out through suspension.
Everton fans will, however, be encouraged by injuries to some key Manchester United players. Amad Diallo, Lisandro Martinez, Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo, players who would usually feature for United, are out through injury.
Everton will kick off at 12:30 on Saturday against Manchester United whilst Liverpool will travel to the Etihad to face Manchester City on Sunday at 16:30.
