Alert – Everton vs Liverpool – Premier League: Live score, team news and updates as Reds hit straight back in final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park as hosts look to dent their bitter rivals’ title hopes

How is that not a foul???

Jesper Lindstrom has just shoved Luis Diaz to the ground but Michael Oliver gives nothing.

I get letting the game flow, but come on…

Everton will be the happier of the two teams after half an hour or so here. They are winning more 50-50s and, aside from the goal, Liverpool have not created enough.

Liverpool may have quietened this crowd down, but they are still a way off playing their best stuff.

Ryan Gravenberch has just overhit a call over to Cody Gakpo down the left, which is unlike him.

This game hasn’t got going again since Iliman Ndiaye’s injury, it’s sapped the life out of it.

Oh, Andy Robertson…

The Liverpool full-back gets the first booking of the game, and it’s a ridiculous one.

He gives a foul away and then for some reason kicks the ball away after it.

Why has he done that? Silly boy.

Conor Bradley is having a bit of a stinker at the moment, I can’t lie.

Jack Harrison’s first involvement is to send him to the corner shop before the full-back then wipes the winger out.

Everton have a free-kick in a really good position here… oh, but it doesn’t even get past the first man.

Now that is what you call a waste.

Now this is hard to watch.

Iliman Ndiaye is in absolute bits, he is so emotional. His Everton team-mates are consoling the forward as he hobbles off the pitch.

Going by his reaction, it looks as though he could be out for some time, he has his shirt over his head and can barely walk.

It means Jack Harrison is now on for Everton.

Iliman Ndiaye is still down – this would be a real blow to Everton.

You can feel the anxiety among the home fans, it’s gone silent inside Goodison Park.

The Liverpool fans are having a good time though, they aren’t stopping their chants for this.

What a superbly athletic header by Alexis MacAllister that was. To direct the ball and also find power to beat one of the Premier League’s best goalkeepers was quite something. It has settled Liverpool down a little after that dreadful start.

Erm… is that a foul?

Iliman Ndiaye has just kicked the floor under pressure from Dominik Szoboszlai, and Michael Oliver blows his whistle.

If I got fouled for that in Sunday League, I’d kick the floor every single minute if I could.

Ndiaye is now down though, he doesn’t look in great shape…

Boy, did Liverpool need that, eh?

Last year, they buckled under the pressure after going behind at Goodison Park, they were overwhelmed.

It could have easily been the same today but they collected themselves and scored straightaway.

What a game already.

Liverpool respond almost immediately!

That is exactly what the visitors needed, and it’s the unlikely Alexis Mac Allister who has scored it.

Mohamed Salah whips in a teasing cross and the little lad rises higher than everybody to head home.

Goodison Park is silenced…

This Goodison Park crowd is having the time of it’s life.

I’m pretty sure those celebrations may have just broken the richer scale, it was deafening.

It feels like it’s a long way back for Liverpool here, they look rather shellshocked.

Will lightning strike twice in two years?

Liverpool undone by one ball through the defence from a deep free-kick. Far too easy for Everton. Lovely composure and finish from Beto.

FIRST BLOOD TO EVERTON!

Beto has just taken the roof of Goodison Park with a brilliant finish from a free-kick.

Jarrad Branthwaite takes a quick set-piece, slides through Beto and he makes no mistake.

It’s so, so clever, Liverpool caught napping and that’s the worst possible start for them.

But it’s the best possible one for Everton!

The atmosphere is about all I can talk about so far, not much else has happened.

Liverpool have knocked it about a bit, there have been cheers for throw-ins, but other than that it’s been pretty slow-burning.

Hopefully, some chances come soon, but this one is very cagey so far.

Liverpool are really trying to calm this game down, but I’m not sure it’s even possible.

Even if a simple run is made there is a roar louder than you hear in most other Premier League grounds.

With every touch, Liverpool’s players are being whistled.

Oh, Jesper Lindstrom… you need to do better there.

The Everton winger skips down the right into some space and just needs to whip a good ball into Beto.

His low cross is really poor but it does win a corner which brings a roar that’s as loud as a goal celebration.

Everton have started pretty well, they are ruffling some feathers.

First world problems and all that but is without doubt the most difficult and uncomfortable Premier League press box in which to work

A remnant from the pre-laptop days, there are no cats swung here on match day As I try and type this, I essentially have my elbow in Oliver Holt’s face. Which is nice..

Liverpool have come flying out of the traps here.

They are trying to quieten this place as soon as possible, flying forward in numbers and putting Everton under pressure.

That’s a hard job though because this place is rocking, I’m pretty sure it’s actually shaking.

This is chaotic.

The Everton players look really pumped up here, they mean business.

They are beating each other’s chests as the fans cheer all of their names as kick-off approaches.

There is then another mental roar before Everton get the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park underway.

This is going to be a belter.

I knew this place would be loud, but my word.

All four stands are chanting at the top of their lungs as the two sets of players take their place in that tiny tunnel.

It’s electric, and those Everton players will be feeding off it already.

Just as I type that Z Cars come on and there is an enormous roar, I mean it’s deafening.

You can hardly hear yourself think inside this stadium, which isn’t easy as a journalist… let alone a player.

It’s going to be a special night, whatever happens.

Rio Ferdinand, former Man United defender, on TNT Sports:

I think it is poignant that David Moyes is the man to lead Everton in this last derby. In the Premier League era he is the person who has embodied the club. Maybe the edge for them in this game will be in the dugout with his experience.

How are we all feeling?

I’m pretty sure both Everton and Liverpool fans will be bricking it right now.

I mean, it’s only 10 minutes until the teams take to the pitch, they have now finished their warm-ups, and this is when fans really get nervous.

I’m sure there is some excitement too, there definitely Is inside Goodison Park going by the buzz.

I’m so excited for this one to get going.

David Moyes, Everton boss, speaking to TNT Sports:

Feeling good. We know it is a great night for everybody connected to Everton Football Club because it is the last Merseyside derby at this stadium. I am looking at it like another game and trying to get another three points for the team.

It is difficult to judge goalscoring against Liverpool because they have two excellent centre backs, so trying to make chances against them is never easy. When we do get the opportunities we need to be clean, take them when they come around, and put them under pressure ourselves too.

Anybody who has come here to Goodison will tell you that the evening games are always special. The close proximity to the pitch, the small tunnel, all the things which we have heard for many years. The crowd won’t disappoint and we have to make sure we back them up and give them something to shout about.

[Vitaly Mykolenko] is a natural full-back and he has played really well in the three or four games since I have been here. We missed him at the weekend, he felt something in his calf, but I am happy we have him back tonight.

Everton’s defence is going to need to be on top form tonight.

This Liverpool side’s attack is just a joke, isn’t it? The weapons they have at their disposal are just silly.

Mohamed Salah obviously bangs goals in for fun, but it’s not only him.

Arne Slot can also call upon Cody Gakpo, who has 16 goals in all competitions this season, and Luis Diaz who has 12.

So, it’s no surprise that Liverpool have scored in each of their last 19 Premier League matches.

Can they make it 20 tonight?

Guys, you all have to be prepared for a feisty affair.

The Merseyside derby breaks the needle scale, it’s always handbags galore when these two teams meet.

This game has produced 23 red cards during the Premier League era, the most of any fixture in the division.

Players will be flying into tackles and there will be a lot of pushing and shoving, that’s for sure.

It’s going to be one hell of a battle.

Arne Slot, Liverpool boss, speaking to TNT Sports:

I look forward to every game we play but this is definitely a special one. We just walked into the stadium and what a historical stadium it is. We are all aware of the fact that it is the last time this match is being played over here so it is a game to look forward to.

In this league, it is important to win every single game. We know there is a long way to go and we have to win many, many games to stay in the position that we are now. We know our competitors are able to win many games in a row as well.

We know how difficult this game is for us. We know what happened here last season. We know what David [Moyes] has brought here to this club in his four matches in charge so far. It is going to be a difficult one.

Trent was not close at all to start but he can come in for a few minutes. It is nice to have him because in the few games he has been on the bench he has come in and been special. We have more than a few good substitutes to make but it is good to have him too.

If you look at our schedule we have five games in 15 days. If I would have played the starters at Plymouth that would have been six in 18 and if we went through it would have been seven in 21 days. It goes on and on and on – sometimes players need a rest.

Yep, the Andy Johnson derby!

Everton fans will remember this fateful day in 2006 extremely fondly I imagine.

It was the day when Johnson made Liverpool look completely silly, most of all Pepe Reina. The striker bagged a brace in a massive 3-0 win.

It was the first time Everton had netted three goals against Liverpool in a Merseyside derby since 1966.

They haven’t managed it since.

Wow, now this is a knarly statistic.

Arne Slot has not only selected no Scousers in his starting line-up, but not even any English players.

I mean, the fact this is the first time that has ever happened is pretty mental, don’t you think?

The multi-cultural Reds…

Liverpool’s Premier League record this season is pretty good, to say the least.

In fact, it’s just ridiculous.

Arne Slot’s side have only lost one league game this season and that was to Nottingham Forest at Anfield back in September.

Since then they have gone 19 games unbeaten, winning 14 of those.

I mean, if you are putting runs like that together then you are a pretty decent team, aren’t you?

While tonight will be tough, you’d expect them to have enough quality on the pitch to cause Everton a lot of problems.

They just have to hope they can cope with the atmosphere.

Only Luis Diaz of the team that started Liverpool’s FA Cup defeat to Plymouth on Sunday keeps his place for the Merseyside derby. No surprise there.

The first game that came to my mind was this five-goal thriller from the early 2000s, just a year after I was born.

This game is remembered mainly because of one special moment from Liverpool’s Gary McAllister.

The Reds took the lead twice on the day but were pegged back both times, and as the board went up to indicate four minutes of stoppage time, it looked as though it was going to end all square.

Up step the Scotsman…

McAllister broke Everton hearts with practically the last kick of the game when he bent home a freekick from 30 yards out.

I mean, it was one of those strikes that are worthy to win any game, and it certainly did this one.

What a goal, what a game.

Jesper Lindstrom, Everton winger, speaking to TNT Sports:

I think this is one of the games you want to play in. I am fortunate that I am going to play. I work a lot mentally to be calm on the pitch, especially for games like this, because the fans make you crazy, the game makes you crazy, so you have to be calm and just enjoy it.

We have to be compact, as we normally are. We are good at getting clean sheets. And then if we score a goal on a set-piece or on a counter then we can win. We want to score goals, play good football and enjoy the game. Hopefully we can take three points.

We are very confident. We had a loss at the weekend against Bournemouth in the cup but other than that we have been on a good run. We have a lot of confidence and at Goodison anything can happen. We’re ready to go.

I’ve just got inside after fighting through swathes of Evertonians outside. My clothes smell of pyro. The Toffees fans are going wild for this one and the atmosphere is electric.

Right, it’s time for us to all take a trip down memory lane…

Goodison Park has hosted some thrilling derbies over the last century, which many fans still think about to this day.

There was Duncan Ferguson’s first goal for Everton in the derby back in 1994, or maybe Sadio Mane’s last-gasp winner in 2016 sticks with you.

Whatever they are, please ping them in my direction.

I will also post a few of the games that stick out in my mind because why not, eh?

Spoiler: most will be from the modern era because I’m only 24…

I have just spent half an hour outside on Goodison Road and it was hard to even lift your arms from your sides at one point as hundreds of Everton Fans waited for the team buses to arrive.

Flares, fireworks and enough cordite to get you through Bonfire weekend. Suffice to say this means a lot to Everton fans.

I mean the home club have even put Mikel Arteta on the front of the match programme. Yes, he used to play for Everton and once scored in a derby win here for the Blues. But he is also the Arsenal manager…

For the last time ever, a Liverpool squad has arrived at Goodison Park.

Going by these photos, it does not look like a squad who are looking overly nervous, I can’t lie.

Just look at Arne Slot, he is smiling as if he is just taking a wander in the park with his mates.

Does he know what is about to hit him?

Ten changes for Liverpool after that embarrassing defeat down at Plymouth a week ago. The only survivor is Luis Diaz, who leads the line tonight. Darwin Nunez makes the bench after a couple of rumours that he would be missing following his wife giving birth in recent days.

It’s a big night for Conor Bradley with Trent Alexander-Arnold only making the bench as expected. He has stepped up in big games before but tonight is a big test for the Northern Irishman.

It’s another big night for Conor Bradley!

Liverpool have been sweating over the fitness of Trent Alexander-Arnold for the past week, but there was never any need to worry.

Yes, Alexander-Arnold would usually start these games, but when you have a player like Conor Bradley, you don’t need to rush him back.

With the England right-back on the bench, Bradley has got the nod after his brilliant display in the Carabao Cup against Spurs last week.

If he can nullify Iliaman Ndiaye as he did Son Heung-Min that night, it could be a good game for the Reds.

And going forward he will be a huge help too, don’t worry about that.

Well then…

Trent Alexander-Arnold is only fit enough for the Liverpool bench this evening.

Conor Bradley gets the nod over the Englishman in the right-back position after his stellar display against Tottenham.

Arne Slot makes 10 changes overall after the loss to Plymouth at the weekend.

I will never get used to writing that…

Luis Diaz, who had a stinker that afternoon, does retain his spot and will lead the line.

Everton fans are going to be very happy with this.

There have been question marks over Vitaly Mykolenko’s fitness all week, but he has recovered to start this evening.

He is the only change from the side that lost to Bournemouth in the FA Cup at the weekend.

David Moyes has found his 11 and is sticking with it!

Wow… now that is how you greet a team.

The Everton fans have brought their A-game tonight, I mean, would you expect anything less.

Supporters got down to Goodison Park early to greet the team bus and my word it’s a sight to behold.

Those fans are singing at the top of their lungs, blues flares are everywhere, fans are climbing signs. you have to be mentally strong as the away team to resist all of that atmosphere

If this is what it’s like now, what will it be like come 7.30pm?

I know there are going to be a whole lot of Liverpool fans happy to read that sub-heading.

It’s true, Dominic Calvert-Lewin will miss tonight’s Merseyside derby in what is a major blow for Everton.

The Toffees striker has tormented the Reds so many times in the past.

Last season, his aerial prowess caused the Liverpool defence a whole host of problems. I mean, he made Ibrahima Konate look like he didn’t know how to defend.

The goal he scored that day will be forever etched into my brain just because of the sheer height he jumped to head the ball in. It was like he was Lebron James in a Lakers game.

Anyway, he won’t be doing that today because he is not fit.

It’s expected that Beto will start up top, but I guess we will find out in just a few minutes.

Arne Slot, Liverpool boss, speaking on Tuesday:

I think [because it’s the last derby at Goodison Park] it’s an extra reason why the atmosphere will be even better than all the ones before. I haven’t been to one before but people tell me at Goodison Park, as at Anfield, it is always a fantastic atmosphere.

It is probably going to be a fantastic atmosphere and that is never easy to play against because every single time they cross the halfway line or corner kick, whatever happens, the fans will cheer for that and you have to be mentally strong as the away team to resist all of that atmosphere.

When you have the ball you have to be as calm as you can in this fantastic atmosphere but it is not the first time for these players that they are playing in atmospheres like this so I hope they can focus on what they have to do.

I assume our players are ready for another battle tomorrow for the simple reason that they have been ready for the whole season and many of them are experienced in this tie.

Right, it’s time to imagine I am Michael Buffer again… and in the red corner!

It’s fair to say if this was a boxing match, Liverpool would be the outstanding favourite coming into this fight, don’t you think?

The Reds come into this game as the best team in the country on paper, they sit pretty on top of the tree.

Arne Slot’s side have the chance to go nine points clear of Arsenal this evening, which would really put them in the box seat of this title race.

I mean, as if they weren’t already.

On paper, playing against a side down in 16th should be pretty straightforward, right?

Wrong. Liverpool know better than anybody just how this fixture is. No matter how good they are, the atmosphere of Goodison has sucked the life out of them before, and could easily do so again.

Just last year their title dreams were crushed by their bitter rivals, and if they lose tonight it could be the start of another downfall.

And after their embarrassing defeat away at Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup, their confidence could have easily been hit. Their ego definitely will have been, that’s for sure.

Arne Slot will be under no illusions about how hard tonight will be for them, it’s going to be one hell of a battle out there.

But can they come out the other side of it unscathed?

David Moyes, Everton manager, speaking on Tuesday:

It’s been a while since my last one, they’ve always been difficult games. Liverpool have always been a tough opponent. At Goodison, it always felt a lot easier because of the support behind us. I think this game will be no different.

I think the gap between the two teams at the moment is probably as big as it has been for a long time. I have to try to bridge the gap and start bringing the two clubs closer together.

You want it [the match] to be built up to be emotional and explosive at times, that’s part of derby games. I’m a football supporter and that’s what I want when I go and watch. You want to see people being competitive, action and it mattering to the team you support.

They [Liverpool] had a fantastic coach in Jurgen Klopp who made Liverpool so good over many years. Most people would be amazed at how well Arne Slot has done, coming in after Jurgen, but he’s done a great job. That’s hard to say when you’re in this seat [as Everton manager]. He looks as if he’s done it very smoothly and he’s got the team playing well.

Do you want to know one of the reasons I love covering derbies?

I allow myself to turn into the great Michael Buffer for a moment, and write like I am introducing a fighter into the ring.

So, now I have set that up – in the blue corner…

Everton will come into this derby feeling a lot better than they did before the original date in December, you know, when a certain Storm Darragh came along.

David Moyes is back at the helm and he has already transformed the Toffees since his return.

They have won their last three Premier League games on the bounce, and my word have they looked so much better.

Gone are the games where they would sit back and stay compact under Sean Dyche… they now ebb and flow down the pitch like they used to under the Scotsman. And with that, a lot of goals have come.

Their loss to Bournemouth in the FA Cup last weekend was a step back, but I don’t think that can be taken into account on a day like this.

As soon as those players in blue hear Z Cars while coming out of the tunnel, and all the noise from the stands, they will be more pumped up than they thought was possible.

They won this fixture last season so that hoodoo has gone, but can they get the job done again?

Don’t worry guys, that’s a metaphor, there is not actually going to be a storm tonight.

I know you are all scarred from when the Merseyside derby was postponed, so thought I would make that clear.

Just look at how quiet Goodison Park is though.

There’s just something about empty stadiums ahead of pictures that is so beautiful. It’s so peaceful, but in 90 minutes time it is going to be absolutely bouncing.

It’s going to be on hell of an atmosphere tonight, I can’t wait.

The time has finally come.

After over 130 years and 119 matches, Goodison Park will host the Merseyside derby for the final time this evening.

On days like these, the optimism and desire of the Blues inside the stadium make it one of, if not, the toughest grounds in the Premier League to visit.

Liverpool know that all too well…

It’s a match where form goes out the window completely. Yes, the Reds may be far and away the best side in the division this year, but that means nothing on derby day.

Today the game has that extra edge, with all the fans lucky enough to be inside the ground knowing it’s the final time they will see blue vs red within it.

Screams of passion, ferocity, joy, and, anguish will be heard in those four stands tonight.

It’s an enormous occasion and one that has been the topic of discussion on Merseyside ever since it was postponed in December.

Well, now it is here and I couldn’t be any more excited. It’s going to be a battle of gladiators within a cauldron of noise. Or to be more blunt, it’s going to be cracking.

For one last time, let’s get this show on the road.