Oh boy, this really is a big game, even by the standards of this fixture.
Virtually every Liverpool/Everton game is a cracker, but when both sides are desperate for a win, they can become fiercely intense contests. That’s what is in prospect at Anfield this weekend, as poor form has meant both sides have gotten off to below-par starts.
We decided to look at the primary reason for that and how it may play out in the big game.
Liverpool
Breaking teams down
Let’s get the obvious point out of the way, any team in the world would miss Luis Suarez especially since the Uruguayan scored 31 goals and set up 21 more for Liverpool last season.
The harsh reality of football is that was then, this is now and right now Liverpool are looking well off the pace when compared to Chelsea and Man City. Six points from the first five games tells its own story.
Last season Jose Mourinho created the blueprint on how to foil Liverpool’s magnificent midfield diamond. His Chelsea players defended in numbers, made the pitch as narrow as possible and restricted the space between his back-four and midfield.
Liverpool were reduced to speculative crossing and wild long range shots as their title bid suffered a massive blow.
Aston Villa copied this example to a tee in their dogged 1-0 win at Anfield, a notable stat from that game was that despite Coutinho hitting the post the Reds’ last effort on target in this one was in the 11th minute.
Ludogorets almost did the same in the Champions League and will consider themselves unlucky not to claim a point while West Ham completely blew Brendan Rodgers’ side off the park in their 3-1 win.
Playing against Liverpool can be summarised by the following; defend in numbers, restrict midfield space and break with pace. Liverpool need to find an alternative to get past this defensive structure.
Missing Sturridge obviously makes a massive difference but the Liverpool manager won the LMA Manager of the Year award last season and he needs to find a Plan B quickly or else teams will continue to frustrate and take points off his side.
Everton
Conceding goals
We had such high hopes for the Toffees this year, especially since Roberto Martinez managed to guide the club to their best ever Premier League finish in his debut season.
Their start to this campaign has been very erratic though, Everton have shipped 17 goals after seven matches in all competitions this season, the most since the 1994-95 campaign when they let in 18 goals after the same amount of games.
What’s worrying is that the same backline conceded only 39 goals in the whole of the Premier League last season, keeping 15 clean sheets in the process.
Defensive solidity was the foundation that allowed Martinez’ men to play the expansive and attractive football that became their trademark last season.
If Everton keep conceding goals at this alarming rate then we wonder if Martinez would be tempted to revert to a traditional back four, something that he rarely has used in his managerial career so far.
Seamus Coleman’s niggling injury problems haven’t helped things while the usually reliable Tim Howard is having something of a nightmare at the minute.
The American was at fault for two goals against Crystal Palace and we reckon that having to pick the ball out of his net three times for the second successive match against Swansea couldn’t have helped his confidence ahead of the Merseyside derby.
Liverpool trashed Everton 4-0 in this fixture last season and hopefully tat match wont be weighing too heavily on their defenders’ minds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS5cF5kRH-w
Clip via – Zuhdi The Reds
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