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Liverpool V Everton Preview
Published by Ian John on February 4, 2010
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Saturday lunchtime here in the UK sees Liverpool take on Everton in the second Merseyside derby of the season and both Rafa Benitez and David Moyes men have plenty of reasons to try and ensure they claim the three points from what is likely to be a high-tempo, cut and thrust encounter.
Oddly enough, there has been an eerie parallel between the two sides this season. Both started the season poorly and well below the standard that they would expect for themselves, both have suffered problems developing their new ground, both are now suffering financially due to the credit crunch, both have had key players out for lengthy periods with long injuries and oddly enough, both seem to have found a little form over the last few weeks that has moved them up the table and back into contention for the European places once again.
So this weekend’s clash at Anfield could perhaps, not come at a better time for both clubs in terms of form.
Everton will only be missing Joseph Yobo and Phil Jagielka for the trip and could give a second start to Philippe Senderos, their on loan signing from Arsenal. It looks like Moyes will attempt to stifle Liverpool in midfield by playing a 4-4-1-1 formation with on loan Landon Donovan playing off the lone front man Louis Saha and Tim Cahill supporting from his deeper midfield role. Moyes will be hoping the in form Cahill and South African Steven Pienaar can continue to exert a hugely positive influence over the Everton team as they attempt to win their first game at Anfield since September 1999 when Kevin Campbell grabbed the winner.
Rafa Benitez meanwhile will still be without three key players in Yossi Benayoun, Glen Johnson and Fernando Torres. Despite being missing for the last few games, and midfield skipper Steven Gerrard not being 100% at his best, Liverpool have put together a sequence of six games unbeaten and have won their last four home league games. Dirk Kuyt seems to have reverted to his former role as a striker with rather more ease than many, including myself, felt was possible. Oddly enough, the hero of the last few games hasn’t been the Dutchman or even Gerrard, so often Liverpool’s saviour, but instead the form of unlikely hero Sotiris Kyrgiakos who has been hugely impressive of late at the heart of the Liverpool defence and has seemingly won over a previously critical Kop with his performances.
It is almost written in stone that Benitez will start the game in his usual 4-4-1-1 formation with Gerrard playing off Kuyt who will act as the lone striker. Lucas and Mascherano will anchor midfield while Maxi and Riera could start in wide areas. There is a school of thought that says Benitez may play Ngog and switch to a 4-4-2, but with Everton’s formation set as it is, it would be surprising to see the Liverpool manager not adapt his formation to suit in what is a crucial game.
As with any Merseyside derby game, it is a game that will be packed with passion. It may be a classic, most likely it won’t be. But it will be keenly contested and bitterly argued over in the pubs and bars around Liverpool before, during and after the game. Liverpool will start as favourites, but as Everton showed at Wigan, they are now more than capable of travelling to Anfield and taking the points and though I am loathe to say it, I think the Toffeemen may just gain some revenge for their early season defeat at Goodison Park.
Prediction : Liverpool 0 Everton 1
Image Courtesy of ***Liverpool Pics*** on Flickr.com
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