EPL: Everton v Liverpool preview

Everton v Liverpool preview

Liverpool will continue to assess the fitness of Mohamed Salah as they prepare to take on Everton in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

The Egypt international has been in sensational form for the Reds, but was withdrawn seven minutes into the second half of Tuesday's 3-0 Champions League win against Manchester City with an injury.

And it is touch and go whether he will be fit for the weekend's game at Goodison Park, with manager Jurgen Klopp saying: "I don't want to give anything away and I want to wait... You can imagine we have tried everything to make him available. [There are] still 24 hours to go pretty much, or 23 hours to go until we start. So let's see what happens."

Speaking about the game, Klopp added: "The derby is the most important game for the people so that is how we take it. "We do the job, people have the dreams. In this very special game we have to show up. You have to deliver. We know that."

Everton manager Sam Allardyce believes it could be the perfect time to claim the Merseyside derby bragging rights with Liverpool in Champions League quarter-final second leg action on Tuesday.

"I think it's an advantage we could possibly take," he said. "If Jurgen changes the team it'll still be strong and fresh. It'll be interesting to see his selection but it's all about us as well.

"The approach has to be about us getting better at nullifying their attacking options. That's their main strength and we have to snuff it out - not just Mo Salah. The players can do it if they really believe it."

Liverpool have a raft of injuries to contend with ahead of the short trip to Goodison Park.

Salah is unlikely to be risked after sustaining a groin injury against City, while midfielders Emre Can (back), Adam Lallana (hamstring) and Ben Woodburn are all out.

Of his injured defenders, Ragnar Klavan, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez, only Klavan has any chance of making the squad.

Idrissa Gueye should be fit to return for Everton after missing last weekend's defeat by Manchester City with a hamstring problem but took part in a full training session on Friday.

All Everton's other injury problems are longer-term but defender Ashley Williams is available again after completing a three-match ban following his dismissal against Burnley.