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TEAMS: Balotelli starts, Sturridge NOT in Liverpool squad, Besic/Hibbert start for Everton
BOTH Liverpool and Everton go into today's 223rd Merseyside Derby struggling to replicate last season's outstanding form.
Liverpool have taken just six-points from their opening five games, and were handed a severe test midweek at the hands of Championship side Middlesbrough.
Meanwhile Everton have fared even worse, taking five-points, conceding 13 goals and crashing out of the Capital One Cup to Swansea on Tuesday.
Both Roberto Martinez and Brendan Rodgers will hope victory in the Merseyside Derby can act as a kick-start for their respective sides.
Liverpool make two changes with Markovic and Lallana replacing Lucas and Borini after they midweek exploits.
Everton hand Tony Hibbert a rare start after Seamus Coleman failed to recover from a head injury sustained against Wolfsburg over a week ago.
Besic makes his Everton debut at the expense of Aiden McGeady.
Liverpool v Everton - Premier League Preview
Liverpool: Mignolet, Manquillo, Lovren, Skrtel, Moreno, Gerrard, Henderson, Markovic, Lallana, Sterling, Balotelli
Subs: Jones, Toure, Enrique, Lucas, Suso, Coutinho, Lambert
Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Baines, Jagielka, Stones, Barry, McCarthy, Besic, Mirallas, Naismith, Lukaku
Subs: Joel, Gibson, Eto'o, McGeady, Browning, Osman, Alcaraz
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