Merseyside Derby: Why Everton Could Overcome Liverpool on Saturday

Being a student living in Liverpool, you quickly come to learn the importance of the Merseyside derby to the players and fans of both teams involved. The rivalry between the two sides is hard to question, even in a city that seems to buzz from an incredible air of friendliness.

This weekend’s matchup between Liverpool and Everton has much more at stake than in previous years. With just three points separating the two sides between second and sixth, the result will no longer simply decide who is the best team on the Mersey.

After a number of years, a shot at Champions League football finally seems attainable for both teams, and considering the turbulence we have experienced during the beginning of the 2013/14 season, anything could happen.

Everton have had a fantastic start to the campaign under new manager Roberto Martinez—since joining the club the Spaniard has experienced defeat just once. This came in a 3-1 loss away to Manchester City. Meanwhile, at Anfield, Brendan Rodgers seems to have revolutionised the Reds' style of play in just two seasons.

With 23 points to their name, Liverpool have made a strong start to the current league season. Rodgers' strike duo of Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez has been deadly so far, the pair notching 16 goals between them.

Having scored all but five of the club’s total league goals, the Toffees' defence will need to be on red alert at Goodison Park this Saturday.

Meanwhile, Everton have found their scoring form through Chelsea loanee, Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian striker has five goals to his name this season and he will be a huge handful against Liverpool, threatening the back four with his pace and physicality.

It is hard to imagine what Jose Mourinho was thinking when he chose to let him leave on transfer deadline day.

Although Liverpool are favourites to take three points in this fixture, Roberto Martinez’s men should not be intimidated by their local rivals. 

While Everton should acknowledge the attacking threat posed by their rivals, the Spaniard’s attacking-minded side should be able to counter by targeting the Reds' defensive frailties from a number of positions.

Distinct weaknesses have appeared in Liverpool’s back four, particularly when Rodgers has attempted to play three centre-backs alongside each other, and the likes of Lukaku, Barkley, Mirallas, Coleman and, of course, Leighton Baines should all be able to exploit these faults.

Both clubs have conceded the same number of goals this season (10 in total) and I think this game is set to be much closer than first anticipated.

Against Arsenal, the Reds came undone, with the Gunners' midfield outclassing Rodgers' side. Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey will claim much of the credit with the goals that gave the Gunners the three points, but captain Mikel Arteta gave a midfield masterclass in which he overshadowed his Liverpool counterparts to set the platform for a vital win.

In my opinion ,the upcoming derby will be won or lost in the midfield battle. Liverpool have under-performed in this position this season and I feel they could be dominated in this area against Everton.

Gareth Barry has been fantastic in the holding role since joining on loan from Manchester City, and Ross Barkley has certainly made a promising start to his footballing career. The Toffees' midfield engine is much more powerful than that of Liverpool and they should win the battle in this department come Saturday.

Whilst Liverpool are the more creative of the two sides (132 key passes to Everton’s 109 this season), their creative burden lies mainly in the hands of Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson. If the Everton midfielders can bully these two players out of the match, then Sturridge and Suarez will suddenly become very isolated.

During the games in which Liverpool have been dominated in midfield—by Southampton and Arsenal, for example—they have struggled for results. This could occur again at the weekend if Martinez sets his players out to press and hassle the opposition midfield.

Based on the quality of the two sides, and their current league positions, this is going to be the closest Merseyside derby that we have witnessed for years.

Being a neutral, I’m certainly excited for such a magnificent occasion. I just hope the match lives up to the current levels of exhilaration we have witnessed so far this season.

(All statistics courtesy of squawka.com)

Feel free to continue this discussion by following me on Twitter @chrisslinnell