Tactical Battles That Will Shape Liverpool's Clash with Everton

Liverpool's short trips to Goodison Park are always one of their most important of the season, but there is an added element to Saturday's Merseyside derby.

Victory in the early kick-off will see the Reds return to the top of the table at least until Arsenal play Southampton later in the afternoon, and the Gunners might well be looming large in the minds of Brendan Rodgers and his team ahead of the contest.

Earlier this month, the Reds disappointingly lost 2-0 to Arsene Wenger's men in what was considered to be the biggest match of their campaign so far, and so perhaps lessons have been learned from that game ahead of what will be another crucial encounter.

Derbies can often be fast and frenetic, but it will be the tactical matchups and personal duels which are likely to shape this one.

Here are six key contests in the game, with whoever wins the most of them likely to take the points. 

Seamus Coleman vs. Philippe Coutinho

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Although far from a conventional left-sided player, Liverpool's gifted Brazilian Philippe Coutinho does tend to favour drifting out to that side. If he does that against Everton, he'll come up against the Toffees' raiding right-back Seamus Coleman.

The Irishman has been in impressive form this season and is likely to be a key man going forward for his side, but he might have to curb that enthusiasm with Coutinho around.

A failure to pick up the Brazilian's clever movement could lead to problems for Everton, although Liverpool will have their work cut out to stop Coleman giving them concerns of their own. 

Sylvain Distin vs. Luis Suarez

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Sylvain Distin probably still sees the Wembley mistake that allowed Luis Suarez to score in the 2012 FA Cup semi-final when he closes his eyes, and he'll have to be at his best to keep out Liverpool's No. 7 here.

The saving grace for the Frenchman is that Suarez could be exhausted, having travelled back from Montevideo following Uruguay's World Cup qualification, but he's never really let a perceived tiredness affect him before.

The forward scored once and forced an own goal from Leighton Baines in this fixture last year, as well as having what looked to be a late winner controversially ruled out. If he can outfox Distin again, Liverpool will be laughing. 

Romelu Lukaku vs. Martin Skrtel

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Perhaps this represents the biggest test for Martin Skrtel since his return to the Liverpool team, as he's struggled against tall, powerful forwards before.

They don't come much more powerful than Everton's Belgian, who scored home and away for West Brom against the Reds last season.

Lukaku is obviously going to be a threat whatever happens, but it is up to Skrtel to try to minimise Liverpool's concern. 

Kevin Mirallas vs. Aly Cissokho/Jose Enrique

Michael Steele/Getty Images

Perhaps this will be the area that Everton look to exploit the most.

Whichever one of Liverpool's left-backs plays in this game will be in for a tough time against the quicksilver Kevin Mirallas, who Blues boss Roberto Martinez will be seeking to get onto the ball as often as possible.

The Belgian is direct and possesses the ability and opportunity to hurt Liverpool, and so either Aly Cissokho or Jose Enrique are likely to have to suppress some of their attacking tendencies to cope with him. 

Gareth Barry vs. Steven Gerrard

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

These two know each other well and even made their England debuts in the same match, and their influence and experience is likely to be key in the centre of the pitch.

This is Barry's first taste of a Merseyside derby during what has been a long and largely successful career, and as a man who plays the game at his own pace, he is unlikely to let the occasion get to him.

Gerrard has pretty much done everything that is possible in this fixture over the years, and given that these are opponents he'll enjoy beating over many others, this is sure to be another occasion he'll relish. 

Leighton Baines vs. Glen Johnson

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

It isn't common in football for the full-backs to hold the key to a contest, but that could just be true here.

Both Baines and Johnson, who both started in the same England team which lost to Chile last Friday, love to get forward. Their battle looks to be a compelling matchup on Saturday afternoon.

Baines' set pieces and Johnson's frequent surges forward are likely to have a large impact in the game, and both could be considered key men in a match certain to entertain once again.