Another weekend of the Premier League brings another Merseyside Derby to our television screens. Liverpool travel the short distance over Stanley Park to take on Everton at Goodison Park. Everton have had a woeful season so far and despite Liverpool’s major u-turn in form, which has seen them top the recent form table, they aren’t where they would want to be in an ideal world.
The sides met earlier in the season at Anfield. Liverpool took the lead through a second-half free-kick from skipper, Steven Gerrard. Liverpool looked to be on their way to three massive points, however – Phil Jagielka had other ideas. The defender and captain notched home one of the goals of the season and silenced a stunned Kop end.
This game is Steven Gerrard’s 33rd and final Merseyside Derby. The inspirational #8 is heading to the MLS in the Summer and will be looking to make an impact in his last meeting with Everton. These sorts of games mean more to the Scousers, like Gerrard, too.
Everton won their last outing. They beat in-form Crystal Palace, 1-0 at Selhurst Park. Liverpool, too, won. The Reds were involved in a comfortable 2-0 victory over West Ham United.
Source: liverpoolfc.com
Liverpool played a strong side as they progressed in the F.A Cup in midweek. Daniel Sturridge came on in that game and Brendan Rodgers hasn’t ruled out a start for the striker who has had injury troubles all season. Sturridge made his Premier League return last weekend and scored within 12 minutes from entering the field. Will Sturridge start at Goodison? I can’t see it, myself.
Raheem Sterling and Phil Coutinho both played the whole 90 minutes at Bolton and will no doubt start again this time out. The two are so important to Liverpool nowadays and are only 20 and 22, respectively.
I think Steven Gerrard will start in an advanced role behind the striker. Gerrard always seems to perform better in these games. Rodgers may feel obliged to start with him as well, as it’s his last Merseyside Derby.
Lucas Leiva and Jordan Henderson in the middle partnering each other. Lucas didn’t feature in midweek, so in theory, he should be fresh and rearing to go. Henderson didn’t start and his fitness levels are inhuman anyway. Henderson’s energy and Lucas’ defensive ability and passing ability could be key components to Liverpool winning this game.
Lazar Markovic is being assessed as he picked up a minor injury on Wednesday. The Serb would start as the right wing-back for me, though, if he was fit and ready. Alberto Moreno would be the man for the other side. It will be very interesting to see what Romelu Lukaku does this time around. Last time he made sure he was on Moreno at every given opportunity to try and exploit the Spaniard’s defensive frailties. However, Liverpool were operating a ‘4 back’ system then and obviously have one less man in defence this time.
Mamadou Sakho’s form lately has been tremendous and the French international is arguably my first man on the team-sheet nowadays. Emre Can and Martin Skrtel would be the men completing the three at the back defensive line. The two, like Sakho, have been excellent in Liverpool’s improved run of form. As has Simon Mignolet, who looks like a completely different ‘keeper since his spell out of the spotlight.
The team I’d go for:
Bobby Vincent
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