Home advantage has been the key to this classic derby clash in the last three seasons - with four of the six matches going to whoever was on their own turf.
And there have been fewer clear-cut triumphs at Goodison for the Toffees than their 3-0 verdict 11 months ago.
David Moyes' men were always in control that day as they wrecked Liverpool's run of 17 games without defeat and the Reds again come into this on the back of an unbeaten start to the current league campaign.
There are doubts about both sides though. Everton's defence has looked strangely shaky recently - they let in three against Newcastle last time out and have just two cleans sheets in 12 matches this term.
They came against Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday but Liverpool's expensively assembled forward line looks sure to pose a far greater threat.
The problem for the Reds is a familar one as their form has dipped ever since Rafa Benitez started to tinker with his starting XI for the game with Portsmouth a month ago.
Since then they've drawn three out of four and Benitez's hands could be tied this weekend as his players come back after international duty.
The big worry is Fernando Torres and, with his presence hugely important for Liverpool, anyone thinking of supporting should wait until his name is on the team sheet.
But, with home advantage, we fancy Everton to get something out of this game and if that's the case then Mikel Arteta has a key role to play.
He's outstanding virtually every week for the Toffees and it's been no surprise to see him linked with a host of big clubs recently.
If Everton avoid defeat then he's going to have a big shout for the man of the match award, especially as he's much fresher coming into this than many of his main rivals.
That last point clearly applies to Steven Gerrard who looks a dodgy favourite in this market as he's been nowhere near his best in recent weeks for either club or country.
Verdict: Everton 1 Liverpool 1
And there have been fewer clear-cut triumphs at Goodison for the Toffees than their 3-0 verdict 11 months ago.
David Moyes' men were always in control that day as they wrecked Liverpool's run of 17 games without defeat and the Reds again come into this on the back of an unbeaten start to the current league campaign.
There are doubts about both sides though. Everton's defence has looked strangely shaky recently - they let in three against Newcastle last time out and have just two cleans sheets in 12 matches this term.
They came against Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday but Liverpool's expensively assembled forward line looks sure to pose a far greater threat.
The problem for the Reds is a familar one as their form has dipped ever since Rafa Benitez started to tinker with his starting XI for the game with Portsmouth a month ago.
Since then they've drawn three out of four and Benitez's hands could be tied this weekend as his players come back after international duty.
The big worry is Fernando Torres and, with his presence hugely important for Liverpool, anyone thinking of supporting should wait until his name is on the team sheet.
But, with home advantage, we fancy Everton to get something out of this game and if that's the case then Mikel Arteta has a key role to play.
He's outstanding virtually every week for the Toffees and it's been no surprise to see him linked with a host of big clubs recently.
If Everton avoid defeat then he's going to have a big shout for the man of the match award, especially as he's much fresher coming into this than many of his main rivals.
That last point clearly applies to Steven Gerrard who looks a dodgy favourite in this market as he's been nowhere near his best in recent weeks for either club or country.
Verdict: Everton 1 Liverpool 1
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