How Everton can win against Liverpool

Saturdays Merseyside derby promises to be one of the best derbies of recent times.  Everton would normally turn up to a derby under David Moyes trying not to lose, rather than trying to win.  Really Brendon Rodgers Liverpool should be out of sight of Everton with the amount of money that they can spend on players compared to the tiny budget of the blue half.

Luckily football isn’t played using a balance sheet (yet) and due to some very good signings by David Moyes (who assembled a very good team) and some additions and changes in style under the promising Roberto Martinez, Everton will approach this derby in a very different manner.

Attack

I expect both teams will try to out pass their opponents and while everyone will be looking to the “SAS” partnership of Suarez and Sturridge for Liverpool, it could be Everton’s own strike force that could come under the radar and be the key players in this match.  Romelu Lukaku is on fire, he is a one man wrecking machine and being supported by either Ross Barkley or Kevin Mirallas, Evertons forward line could be crucial in taking points against their old rival.

Steven Pienaar fairly much summed up the big man.  Pienaar said: “On his day he can be unbelievable. We’re going to need his strength and power up there on Saturday.

“But he is also going to need us to supply him and help him out.

“We are all pleased that he has come out of the blocks firing and hopefully he can continue doing that for us.

“When you don’t play a lot at your previous club, I think a lot of pressure falls on you and you just want to enjoy your game and I think he’s been doing that.”

Cissoko

Another way Everton might look to win this one is by targeting Liverpools new left back Ally Cissoko.  There is no denying that Cissoko will become a decent player for Liverpool, but in my opinion, from what I have seen he isn’t quite up to the pace of the Premier League just yet and Kevin Mirallas and Seamus Coleman will look to run up against the lad and put him under pressure.  We could also see Lukaku peeling off and looking for the diagonal ball against him to try and turn the screw.

Midfield

The midfield battle here is going to be crucial with both teams looking to dominate the passing.  They often say that attacking is the best form of defence, but if Everton can look to keep possession and move the Liverpool midfield around, this could be a very good way to overcome their foes, but with Gareth Barry and James McCarthy fairly solid in tackle and pass, it could be winning the 50/50 balls in that middle that Everton can come out top.  I’m expecting a fairly early solid challenge on Coutinho to let him know that they are there.  Both of the defence minded players can put in a tough challenge and they will want to make their mark (Possibly literally).  Coutinho is a young lad from Brazil and although he has probably been on the end of some tough challenges, he probably hasn’t been on the end of any crunching challenges infront of a baying Everton crowd.  Everyone remembers the Phil Neville tackle on Cristiano Ronaldo which turned that match on it’s head.  Saturdays derby would be the perfect time for one of them.

Crowd

The crowd at Goodison can be electric sometimes.  It can also be quiet on occasions.  Saturday could be a massive difference and with a baying Goodison erupting into voice everytime a Liverpool player gets the ball or everytime the Everton team need bringing up a level.  Whether the foreign Liverpool players will be used to a Merseyside derby is another story……… They probably haven’t played in as hostile an atmosphere as Goodison Park can be and the crowd will need to be at their louded and most hostile to help bring home the 3 points!

COYB!

What do you think the score will be in the Merseyside derby?  Have your say in our match thread: https://www.theevertonforum.co.uk/everton-forum/9254-everton-v-liverpool-sat-23-nov-12-45-ko.html