Preview of the FA Cup tie between Liverpool and Everton

It's that time of the year when the third round of the FA Cup fixtures take place. The standout tie in this round comes from Merseyside with a fierce derby game expected as Liverpool again welcome Everton to Anfield, having played out a 1-1 draw last month in the Premier League.

Liverpool will be missing Mohamed Salah and Phillipe Coutinho, who are down with groin and thigh injuries respectively.

Although Jurgen Klopp would have loved to have the 35-goals pair, he could hand Virgil van Dijk his first start as a red while Loris Karius will be starting in goal.

Turkish striker Cenk Tosun could make his Everton debut if the club manages to get him signed and registered in time.

Centre back, Michael Keane is expected to sit this game out, after having stitches in his foot following Monday’s defeat to Manchester United while midfielder, Idrissa Gueye is a doubt after missing Monday's game with a hamstring injury.

Form

Since the game against Everton in the Premier League on 10th December, Liverpool is unbeaten recording four wins and two draws from six league games.

Everton in the same period has had an equal number of wins, losses and draws (2 each).

Stat Attack

In four FA Cup meetings at Anfield, each tie has been drawn with Everton winning two of the last three replays.

Liverpool is yet to lose at Anfield in all competitions this season with a (W9 D6) record. They have also scored 37 goals and conceded just eight.

Wayne Rooney has scored seven career goals against Liverpool but has faced them just twice in cup competitions, having been injured on four of the six occasions when Manchester United clashed with the Reds.

Prediction

This will be a tough game for Liverpool, who like Everton are likely to make some changes.

With Salah and Coutinho missing and the Reds’ worrying FA Cup home record against the Toffees, this looks like being another tough game

In the end, another 1-1 is probably going to be the outcome.