It’s that time of the season again and nerves are beginning to kick in across the city of Liverpool as tonight is the eve of the Merseyside Derby at Goodison. The Merseyside Derby has always been a huge game that has lots of history behind it and since the very first derby back in 1894 there has been many classics and memorable moments across the years. Tomorrow’s game will be the 224th meeting between the 2 sides and it’s sure to be another great game with both teams needing 3 points for their own different reason. But as with any derby, this is not a normal game, bragging rights are also up for grabs. The last meeting between the 2 sides was back in September when an amazing injury time equaliser from Phil Jagielka secured a 1-1 draw. The last Goodison Derby was one of the most exciting in years with Sturridge scoring a late on to ensure honours were even in the 6 goal thriller. It is a fixture that Everton have struggled in over the last few years with only 3 league wins against Liverpool this side of the millennium. Them wins came in 2004, 2006 and 2010 with extra time FA Cup win against them in 2009. It is a fixture that has also had a lot of controversy over the years with players getting sent off always a high possibility. It’s a game that many neutrals call ‘The friendly derby’ – that’s one of the biggest myths in football as far as I’m concerned. The Merseyside Derby is anything but friendly.
The January transfer ended with Liverpool having made no additions to their squad but confidence should be on the high for Liverpool. A midweek FA Cup win away at Bolton with 2 late goals to win it was surely a morale boosting victory for the reds. Liverpool’s last league game was a 2-0 win over West Ham – a game in which Daniel Sturridge made a goal scoring return from injury. Everton’s last game was one in which ended a run of 8 games without a win as the blues triumphed by one goal to nil away at Crystal Palace. A solid defensive performance meant Everton would keep a second clean sheet in as many games. It was a game of many good individual performances with Mo Besic shining once again and Gareth Barry making a decent display in what has been a season for the former City midfielder. So both teams come back into the game on the back of hugely satisfying wins and both will be looking for a win to extend a potential run of good form.
The game is likely to see some sort of debut for Everton’s new loan signing, Aaron Lennon. James McCarthy also looks likely to feature after he has been passed fit to finally return from his injury. Steven Pienaar and Leon Osman remain side lined as they are both still working to get fit after each suffering injuries earlier in the season. Tim Howard is getting close to fitness and has recently re-joined first team training but Joel is expected to be started in goal for Everton on Saturday evening. Meanwhile, Liverpool are still without centre back Kolo Toure who has recently helped the Ivory Coast reach the final of the Africa cup of nations. Dejan Lovren has been suffering from injury and poor form so it is likely Liverpool will stick with Can, Skrtel and Sakho at the back. Lucas Leiva is likely to return to the starting line up after being rested against Bolton in midweek whilst Jon Flanagan is still out as a long term absentee. Winger Lazar Markovic also limped off injured in the FA Cup game and could miss out.
Source: evertonfc.com
As for Everton, I expect to see much of the same at the back with Joel in goal, with the regular of Coleman, Stones, Jagielka and Baines. If McCarthy does make his return from fitness, Barry could be dropped with Besic playing alongside McCarthy. Although, Barry could still start anyway as Martinez could feel that Besic and McCarthy are too similar and play Barry to allow the other midfielder to get around the pitch more. Kevin Mirallas will almost certainly start on one wing as he has done for most of this season. Roberto Martinez will want to get off to a fast start and put Liverpool under pressure early on to take an advantage. This means he is likely to give a debut to Aaron Lennon from the start and Everton can finally start a game with 2 pacey wingers. Romelu Lukaku will almost certainly start as the front man again and will look to add to his goal against Palace last week. The big question has been who will start as the number 10 just behind Lukaku, Naismith or Barkley? Naismith is in better form and is enjoying his best season in a blue shirt. Barkley, on the other hand has been in indifferent form recently and was benched for the victory over Palace. However, that rest could’ve done him good and with him being a life long Evertonian will surely relish the chance to play in such a huge game. Both players can also be a good impact player coming off the bench so I wouldn’t be too disappointed either way and there’s always a chance that both could start.
With Chelsea and Arsenal away days coming up in the next 3 league games this is a game that Everton will really want 3 points. But it’s more than just that, it’s Everton v Liverpool, the Merseyside Derby. It’s probably the first fixture that fans of both teams look for first on the fixture list. And before the kick off on Saturday evening Everton and Liverpool fans alike will be united in remembering the 96 who tragically lost their lives at Hillsborough in 1989 as a plaque is set to be unveiled outside the Park End before the match in remembrance of them. The atmosphere will surely be rocking inside Goodison tomorrow night and hopefully Everton will get the last laugh in Merseyside Derby’s over Steven Gerrard.
Excitement and nervousness are setting in now and I personally can’t wait for it.
Score Prediction: 3-2 Everton
Predicted line up (4-2-3-1):
Joel, Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Baines, McCarthy, Besic, Barkley, Mirallas, Lennon, Lukaku.
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