Likely Liverpool First XI vs. Everton

Forget about Chelsea v. Manchester United. There is only one game worth watching on Sunday: The Merseyside Derby is upon us. 

Position in the table does not matter. Relative form coming in is of little importance. Twice a year, the Premier League narrative takes a break while cross-city rivals duke it out. As always, the game will be physical and full of entertainment. 

To that end, Brendan Rodgers has a challenge on his hands. 

There are three full backs with a legitimate claim to a starting place. In addition, a summer transfer looks ready to push his way into the front line. Oh, and there is that question mark at goalkeeper. 

Here is my take on who you should see start the match on Sunday and why. 

GK: Pepe Reina

Honorable Mention: Brad Jones

Reina is on the mend, but expect him to accelerate that progress. Normally, Reina would have the luxury of giving it time. 

This season he has been on average form. In addition, his Aussie counterpart is coming off of a clean sheet in a league match just a week ago. 

The Spaniard will want to come out today and prove he is still the best option between the sticks for the Reds. 

RB: Andre Wisdom

Oh, what a difference a year makes. 

Coming into this season, Jose Enrique and Glen Johnson were the unquestioned starters. When one of them could not go, Martin Kelly was the obvious substitute. After that, Jon Flanagan and Jack Robinson were talked about as the promising youngsters of the future. Flanagan was deemed so exciting, that Being: Liverpool has spent a considerable amount of time covering him in their weekly installments. 

Yet it is Wisdom who has shone the brightest and the 17-year-old quickly dispatched his younger peers. Then, Kelly took a knock while Enrique has played poorly. 

In their place, Wisdom does not look like giving the position back. Once again, he was the best at the position at midweek. His performance there should give him the start against Everton. 

CB: Daniel Agger

There is little argument in the middle of the defense. Jamie Carragher is past his prime and Sebastian Coates is not ready to be a regular starter yet. 

Further, Liverpool has two world class center-backs. These two will play as long as they are healthy. 

CB: Martin Skrtel

Same argument applies here. Skrtel continues to get better every year. 

He is the enforcing defender that balances out the tactical passing style of his Danish counterpart. 

LB: Glen Johnson

Honorable Mention: Jose Enrique

Johnson has been Rodgers' guy this far into the season. 

That said, his continued lapses in the back are starting to cost the Reds. Enrique also turned in an outstanding subsitute performance against Norwich. 

The England international also appeared to have been hurt at midweek. If he is not fully recovered, Enrique could very easily start. 

CDM: Joe Allen

This midfield is getting scary. With Joe Allen playing as he has and Nuri Sahin getting better every week, they are starting to look like the club Rodgers has fought so hard to build. 

Allen and Sahin are now turning in +90% pass completion rates every week. That kind of stability sets up the final third and gives either Jonjo Shelvey or Steven Gerrard license to roam.  

CM: Nuri Sahin

The Kop will be hoping that Rodgers has the ability and finances to make this loan permanent. 

It took a short while to shake the rust off after a season on the bench at Madrid. However, the former Bundesliga Player of the Year seems to have recovered his once sterling form. 

Sahin completed 94% of his passes in the Europa League game and gets better every week. 

CAM: Steven Gerrard

Last season, 'Captain Fantastic' notched a hat-trick against the crosstown rivals. 

He, more than anyone, knows the importance of this match to the fans. Look for him to be on top form as he takes the pitch. 

RW/RCF: Raheem Sterling

It is an interesting era at Anfield given that a 17-year-old is the first-choice starter on the wings. 

Sterling looks to follow up his first league goal against Norwich with a big appearance vs. Everton. The youngster endears himself with the Liverpool faithful more and more every week. 

His confidence is noticeably improving, as well. Sterling is not a star of the future, he is a star of today. 

LW: Oussama Assaidi

Honorable Mention: Suso, Stewart Downing

Downing scored in the Europa League and Suso has been starting at this position. Yet, the consistently strong performance by Assaidi against Anzi earns this place. 

His tricky runs and strength in possession were the highlight of the first half on Thursday. If he is fit enough to play two matches in such quick succession, look for the former Herenveen man to start. 

ST: Luis Suarez

As seems to be the case for the Reds this season, the result may come down to Suarez' ability to finish. 

When he scores, Liverpool tend to win. That said, his profligacy in front of goal continues to plague the side. 

Hopefully his class shines in the rivalry game.