Top Trumps: Liverpool edge Everton thanks to Anfield form

Two sides in need of a fillip face off when Liverpool welcome Everton, with the hosts uneasy 17/20 favourites against the 16/5 visitors, and the draw 14/5.

In trying to determine what’s on the cards at Anfield, we’ve wheeled out our famous Top Trumps series. Read on for the results.

Form: Liverpool 5 / Everton 6

Neither of the Merseyside pair have covered themselves in glory so far this term, with just three wins and 11 points gained from 10 Premier League fixtures between them.

Everton edge this metric after gaining two draws from meetings with Arsenal and surprise package Leicester, while Liverpool losses to Aston Villa and West Ham took the shine off wins against Southampton and Spurs.

Defence: Liverpool 5 / Everton 6

After watching their hastily-reconfigured defence get repeatedly ripped apart by the Irons last time out, the Anfield faithful don’t know what to expect next from Brendan Rodgers’ much-derided backline.

No side has conceded more than Everton’s 13 so far this term, but right-back Seamus Coleman could return against the Reds after missing the 3-2 loss at Crystal Palace.

That may mean John Stones switches to centre-half in place of Sylvain Distin, to complete a back four that kept a clean sheet at West Brom, and held out against Wolfsburg in the Europa League until the 90th minute.

Midfield: Liverpool 6 / Everton 7

Jordan Rossiter kicked off his Liverpool career with a debut goal at Anfield, and the 17-year-old may be an injury away from the Reds’ Premier League squad right now, with Joe Allen and Emre Can both out of action until October.

With James McCarthy and Gareth Barry marshalling the Toffees from the base of midfield, Roberto Martinez’s side currently look stronger in the centre of the park.

Attack: Liverpool 7 / Everton 7

If Daniel Sturridge, whose four-game absence following the international break has ‘coincided’ with Liverpool’s poor form, was confirmed fit for this clash, the hosts would comfortably best their rivals’ attack.

As it is, Sturridge looks set for the bench against a side that have outscored the Reds by 11-7 in the Premier League this season. Honours even it is.

Coaches: Liverpool 8 / Everton 8

Rodgers was served a dreadful dose of hard luck with Sturridge’s injury; losing one half of the 2013/14 Premier League runners-up’s SAS strike-force was a difficult blow to take, but being shorn of both makes for tough times.

Martinez has also had to cope without new England hope Ross Barkley so far this term, and the Spaniard can justifiably feel stung by a tricky start.

Both of these bottom-half hugging sides are in false positions and will kick on once their injury-ravaged squads settle.

Head-to-Head: Liverpool 9 / Everton 5

The visitors have not tasted victory at Anfield since the last Millennium, with seven draws and six Liverpool wins – including a 4-0 thumping last season – making them tough to oppose.

Total: Liverpool 40 / Everton 39

Suggested bet – Liverpool win @ 10/11

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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