---
title: "Preview: Everton vs. Liverpool"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/first-team/preview-everton-vs-liverpool/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Hamoudi Fayad"
section: "First Team"
published: "2015-02-07T10:29:16Z"
modified: "2015-02-07T10:30:05Z"
---

# Preview: Everton vs. Liverpool

Liverpool visit Goodison Park this Saturday in what looks to be a surefire win for The Reds. Except that isn’t the case this week, as it is Derby Day. The ‘Friendly Derby’ is what some people call it, as this match either brings families together and/or tears families apart (during game day only).

Liverpool are the top team on form in the Premier League with a shock collapse against Leicester leading them to 16 points from their last 18 possible while only conceding 3 goals in their last 6 games. Everton, on the other hand, have only won 1 in their last 6 – but that one win came in their last game, which is a vital benchmark for a game against their bigger rivals.

Tim Howard, Leon Osman, Steven Pienaar and Christian Atsu are all set to miss the game while Kolo Toure, Brad Jones and Jon Flanagan are out. For Everton, they lose out on their first choice goalkeeper and some options for drive and creativity (which for them, Aaron Lennon will hopefully fill the void in) in attack while Liverpool do not miss out on anyone special as Flanagan has been out for the whole season and Kolo Toure is their 4th choice centre back; 5th if Emre Can is counted as a centre back now.

**Liverpool’s attacking midfield**

Liverpool’s attacking midfield is what will decide the game against Everton. With Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling enjoying a brilliant run of form, they will look to cement their places into the XI with Adam Lallana, Lazar Markovic, Steven Gerrard and Jordon Ibe looking to fight for theirs.

With Sturridge back, Sterling will and should be used as an attacking midfielder behind Sturridge with Coutinho… but where would the captain fit? Here’s what could possibly be for Liverpool on Derby Day:

[![Screen Shot 2015-02-07 at 10.20.58](https://cdn.readeverything.co/readliverpoolfc/2015/02/Screen-Shot-2015-02-07-at-10.20.58.png)](https://cdn.readeverything.co/readliverpoolfc/2015/02/Screen-Shot-2015-02-07-at-10.20.58.png)

The back 3 picks itself, but this is what Liverpool could look like with Sturridge back – and this XI could hinder them winning. Using Henderson as a right wing back is inconvenient due to him thriving in space rather than at a 180° frame of play. Henderson’s energy is useful on the flanks but his protection of Lucas Leiva is much better than Gerrard, while his newly adopted technical abilities could be vital in forming an advantage over the excessively defensive double pivot of Everton (Besic and Barry).

Another possible formation could be with Gerrard behind Sturridge, but the form of Sterling and Coutinho simply does not allow them to be dropped. Gerrard could be brought on later, to use his energy and fighting spirit to win the game, but it is his last Derby and he would want to play for 90 minutes.

Finally, the last option would be for Sterling to play as a right wing back. Unless Sturridge is out, these are the options for Liverpool in their midfield and that will decide the game. The way they overload the midfield, create lanes for Sturridge and provide space for Sterling and Henderson will be paid off by the astute finishing that Daniel Sturridge is capable of.