It’s the fixture that everyone looks down the list for in September. The traditional Red vs Blue. Liverpool vs Everton.
Families are split and relationships broken for these two days in the calendar. The Merseyside Derby is the pinnacle of local rivalries in this country; and this hasn’t diminished in the slightest over the years that it has run.
To add fuel to the already raging fire, this match will be Jamie Carragher’s 30th and ultimately last Merseyside Derby, as he looks to end his illustrious career at the end of the season.
Another player that is looking to pastures new is Phil Neville, but he won’t be available this weekend as he faces a battle with a knee injury – preferring the comfort of a BBC sofa instead of his trusted black boots.
Earlier in the season Liverpool felt robbed as they trudged out of Goodison Park with a mere point. Luis Suárez’s last minute, legitimate header ruled out for offside by an incompetent linesman decision. But it was the special Uruguayan that put Brendan Rodgers’ men in the position for the 2-2 draw, with a fantastic finish and a pressurized own goal.
This fixture earlier in the season also saw Rodgers administer a five-man defence for the first time, with Sebastien Coates filling in alongside the two regular centre halves. This is something I wouldn’t be afraid of seeing next season, but implementing it again this campaign, with very little warning, would be foolish.
But it is unlikely that Liverpool will play against Everton with both of those Uruguayans; with Suárez infamously banned and Coates hugely out of favour at the Anfield club.
Rodgers will go into the game wanting to treat the Anfield faithful to their first Merseyside Derby win under his reign. Grit will be between his teeth even further to keep up David Moyes’ losing streak against the traditional top four of 43 matches. This horrendous record for the Scotsman will surely overshadow his tenure, no matter how well he has done on a ‘budget’.
This match may be branded by the outsiders as ‘not mattering’. It does. It matters hugely. To an extent it matters more than most derbies in recent history.
Liverpool have nothing to play for and Everton are looking to break back into Europe after a very ‘under the radar’ year.
It’s the prerogative. Liverpool lie one position below Everton in the table and five points adrift. With a win, Steven Gerrard and Co. can mount a charge on David Moyes’ sturdy Toffee ship.
The Everton manager will be seeking the prestige of going undefeated against their biggest rivals across this season and also the harrowing idea that Everton could finish above their red counterparts for the second successive year.
A late fitness test for Darron Gibson may be key for an Everton side that so wilfully desires stability in the midfield. Liverpool have seemingly found this stability with Jordan Henderson joining stalwarts Gerrard and Lucas in the midfield three.
Goals will inevitably be scored and Liverpool will have to watch the threat that Everton pose from set pieces. The two centre backs, in Distin and Jagielka, will join the towering Fellaini in the box at any opportunity. We all know how badly defend set-pieces at the best of times…
Steven Gerrard, sitting two Premier League goals short of a landmark 100, would be my pick for first goalscorer – but I’d not even want to get started on a scoreline, although I think both teams will score.
Betting suggests that the game will be very close with Liverpool coming out on top as 20/21 favourites at Ladbrokes.
Match Facts
- Liverpool are unbeaten in their last four league meetings with Everton.
- Liverpool have scored nine goals in the two Premier League games Luis Suarez has missed this season.
- Everton manager David Moyes has won just four of his 24 meetings with Liverpool in all competitions (13 defeats). All of those victories were at Goodison Park.
