EVERTON VS LIVERPOOL – PREVIEW
Everton and Liverpool will renew rivalries on Saturday as the two teams clash in the 224th Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
After an important win last weekend away at Crystal Palace, Everton will go into the game with a lot more confidence knowing they are unbeaten in their last three matches.
The Palace victory was just the kind of win we needed heading into a home derby. Romelu Lukaku’s goal proved enough at Selhurst Park but the resilience and fight shown after taking the early lead will have really pleased Roberto Martinez. It was a great defensive performance and a well-earned clean sheet.
There were also some excellent individual performances, notably from Phil Jagielka, Aiden McGeady and Gareth Barry, players who haven’t had great seasons to date.
One small negative from the game was the lack of chances we created. Against a Liverpool team that likes to score, it will be really important that we make and take chances on Saturday.
I’d love to see us have a go at Liverpool from the off, rattle them and give a performance similar to the one we gave when we beat Arsenal 3-0 last April. There, we gave a perfect balance of defence and attack against a rival.
Aaron Lennon was brought in on deadline day, a signing I think will prove to be a very smart one. He will give us width, pace and a fantastic crossing ability. He is a clever, unselfish footballer and should benefit the team lots in his time here. If Martinez decides to throw him straight in on Saturday, he will have a big role to play in supplying ammunition for Lukaku who I think will have a big effect on the outcome of the match. His goals in this fixture last season and his strike against Palace will be fresh in his mind.
Muhamed Besic’s fight and bite in midfield will be important too and I’d love to see him do a job on Liverpool’s attacking players Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling.
Our neighbours go into the game lying in 7th place in the table.
Overall it’s been a mixed season for them. A really poor start to the campaign has been halted recently and they now find themselves unbeaten in seven games in the league and playing some good football.
One of the main reasons for the revival is the fact that manager Brendan Rodgers has finally shaken up the defence and they aren’t conceding as many goals as they had been. Also, their attacking flair from last season is returning as Coutinho and Sterling hit form.
However, they still remain quite inconsistent so Liverpool fans shouldn’t see the game as a foregone conclusion.
They like to play the ball around the box quickly and keep on passing until there is even a slight opportunity to shoot. When they don’t have the ball, it’s all about pressing it until they get it back.
The talented Sterling and Coutinho, with his ability to unlock defences, will be the two main players we will have to keep quiet if we are to get a result. Mamadou Sakho’s excellent form in the heart of Liverpool’s defence means Lukaku and co will have to be on top of their game. Daniel Sturridge, whether he starts or is sprung from the bench will always be a threat too.
Our last game against Liverpool, was back in September 2014 when a late Phil Jagielka screamer cancelled out Steven Gerrard’s free kick to earn us a deserved point at Anfield.
James McCarthy will be in the matchday squad according to Martinez but Tim Howard, Steven Pienaar, Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert are all still sidelined.
Liverpool have slight doubts over the fitness of trio Lucas, Lazar Markovic and Adam Lallana while Rodgers has a decision to make over whether to start Sturridge or bench him for the third game running.
EVERTON LIKELY LINE-UP: Robles, Coleman, Jagielka, Stones, Baines, Besic, Barry, Lennon, Naismith, Mirallas, Lukaku (4-2-3-1).
LIVERPOOL LIKELY LINE-UP: Mignolet, Henderson, Can, Sakho, Skrtel, Moreno, Gerrard, Lucas, Coutinho, Sterling, Sturridge (5-2-2-1)
It’s going to be a close game filled with goals but with home advantage on our side and the feeling I’ve had all week that we’re going to win, I’m going to back Everton.
PREDICTION: Everton 3-2 Liverpool.
Eoin Leeson.