Liverpool v Everton: FA Cup third round form, stats, odds, team news & verdict

FA Cup third round: Liverpool v Everton

Where to watch

BBC1, 4.01pm Sunday

Match odds

7-10 Liverpool
4-1 Everton
10-3 Draw

Form

Liverpool are top of the Premier League and look as if they could romp to the title, potentially leaving Jurgen Klopp with the chance to improve on a pretty ropey record in the FA Cup.

Klopp has led Liverpool in ten FA Cup ties, winning only three. Two of those victories were against Exeter and Plymouth - both in replays after the original ties ended all-square.

The other success came in the Merseyside derby, when his Reds side Everton 2-1, and for Carlo Ancelotti to keep the Toffees' season alive they will need to avoid defeat at Anfield this time around.

Ancelotti suffered his first defeat in three matches since taking charge of Everton in Wednesday's 2-1 loss at Manchester City, but generally the club have picked up since sacking Marco Silva.

They have drawn with Manchester United, Arsenal, Leicester and beaten Chelsea.

Team news

New signing Takumi Minamino could make his debut for Liverpool after joining from Salzburg, although Klopp admits he may not know where the utility forward's best position is.

Xherdan Shaqiri, Joel Matip, Dejan Lovren, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Fabinho and Nathaniel Clyne are injured.

Andre Gomes, Alex Iwobi and Jean-Philippe Gbamin are injured for Everton, while Bernardo and Morgan Schneiderlin need to be assessed.

The tactical battle

Ancelotti has switched between 4-4-2 and a back three, but the Italian is known for his preference for a 4-4-2 and will probably revert to that shape once he has everyone available.

"In my opinion 4-4-2 is the best defensive system," said Ancelotti. "You can cover more space across the pitch and press forward."

Liverpool either use a 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-2-3 formation and dominated the last derby with a 5-2 success over Everton when the Reds scored with all of their shots on target.

Verdict

Much will depend on what side Klopp selects but Liverpool could feel they have enough of a lead in the Premier League title race to take the FA Cup more seriously than they have in previous campaigns.

They should maintain their supremacy over Everton, who are at least capable of getting on the scoresheet with Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin offering a counter-attacking threat. Liverpool 2-1.