Event of the Day: Liverpool versus Everton
Our event of the day is the FA Cup game between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield in Liverpool. The Merseyside derby is the pick of the third-round matches of the oldest football competition. The Reds are unbeaten in the previous 16 games in all competitions, having last lost 4-1 away to Tottenham back in October. Three wins in a row, against Swansea City, Leicester City and Burnley, has seen them climb to fourth place in the league. Everton manager Sam Allardyce has succeeded in improving the form and results of the Toffees since taking over at the start of December, they have risen from the relegation zone to the upper half of the table, currently sitting in ninth position. However, they have been struggling lately, and haven’t enjoyed a victory for four games now, and have lost their last two matches; 2-1 away to Bournemouth and 2-0 at home to Manchester United. The city rivals meet again at Anfield less than a month since their 1-1 draw in the Premier League there. Everton last beat their bitter opponents in October 2010, 2-0 at Goodison Park; and at Anfield this last happened all the way back in September 1999.
The Reds head into the clash in good spirits, after their defender Ragnar Klavan scored in stoppage time to ensure a 2-1 win and all three points from their trip to Burnley on New Year’s Day. Unfortunately, there’s uncertainty over the involvement of Philippe Coutinho who’s being linked with a departure in the winter transfer window and is also suffering from a thigh injury, but the Reds could give a debut appearance to £75 million defender Virgil van Dijk. Everton hope to have proposed new signing Cenk Tosun available for the match. The Liverpool derby at Anfield looks certain to deliver a thrilling cup match.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the 1st Test of the Freedom Trophy series between South Africa and India at Newlands in Cape Town. Another two Tests will follow in Centurion and Johannesburg, before the teams play six ODIs and three T20 matches. In the Big Bash League, the Brisbane Heat take on the Perth Scorchers at the Gabba. Also in cricket, it’s day 2 of the 5th Test of the 2017-18 Ashes series between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground. In golf, the Sentry Tournament of Champions goes in to the second day at the Plantation Course at Kapalua in Hawaii. It’s Day 6 at the Brisbane International ATP and WTA tournament at the Queensland Tennis Centre in Tennyson; and day 7 at the Hopman Cup at the Perth Arena in Perth. In Premiership Rugby, Worcester Warriors face Bath at Sixways in Worcester; while in Pro14 Rugby there’s a duel between Scarlets and Dragons at the Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli. In the NBA, the Boston Celtics host the Minnesota Timberwolves at the TD Garden in Boston, while the Milwaukee Bucks will be up against the Toronto Raptors at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Fixture
Photos by Everton; Liverpool FC