Liverpool vs. Everton: How the Reds Will Line Up in Merseyside Derby
It’s been a rough couple of weeks for Liverpool in the Premier League, with back-to-back losses against Aston Villa and West Ham United their first since December 2013, and the Reds will be looking to get their season back on track at Anfield in the 223rd Merseyside derby against Everton this Saturday.
Life without Luis Suarez has proved to be tough for Brendan Rodgers’ side, while injuries have not helped their cause this season either. Opponents seem to be working out a formula to defeat the Reds and take advantage of a weak defence, and their stuttering form has them 11th in the league table with only six points from five games.
Everton are a point behind and currently have the worst defensive record in England’s top flight, having conceded 13 goals already in just five matches.
Their comprehensive 4-0 thrashing at the hands of their city rivals back in January was one of the most one-sided encounters in the fixture’s rich history, and the Toffees will be looking to avenge the defeat this week.
Here’s how Liverpool could line up on Saturday, in their most effective 4-4-2 diamond formation.
Goalkeeper: Simon Mignolet
1 of 11
Simon Mignolet’s confidence and form have become a cause for concern over the past few weeks, and with a leaky defence ahead of him, he will have his work cut out against an Everton team strong up front.
Right-Back: Javi Manquillo
2 of 11
Glen Johnson may be nearing a return to fitness, but in his absence Javi Manquillo has shown enough to suggest that Liverpool’s future at right-back will be on loan from Spain until the Reds secure a permanent transfer.
Left-Back: Alberto Moreno
3 of 11
For Liverpool’s young Spanish full-backs, Saturday will be their first taste of a Merseyside derby, and they will need to be at their best to stem the tide of Everton attacks and overriding emotion.
Seamus Coleman’s injury doubt means that Alberto Moreno might face one fewer challenge, and he will be hoping that it gives him the space to attack down the left flank.
Center Back: Martin Skrtel
4 of 11
After sitting out the defeat at Upton Park last weekend and the midweek Capital One Cup clash against Middlesbrough, Martin Skrtel is primed to return to the starting lineup for the derby.
Center Back: Dejan Lovren
5 of 11
It’s safe to say that the Dejan Lovren-Mamadou Sakho defensive partnership hasn’t worked as well as it was supposed to on paper. And with Skrtel back to fitness, Rodgers will be tempted to play big-money signing Lovren in his usual left-sided role and relegate Sakho to the bench.
Holding Midfielder: Steven Gerrard
6 of 11
It won’t have surprised anyone that Steven Gerrard was overrun at Upton Park last week—it was his third 90-minute game in a week. At 34 years of age, Gerrard just doesn’t seem to have the legs or stamina to rack up the minutes like that anymore.
Rodgers will be hoping that Gerrard’s night off when his side stuttered to a penalty-shootout victory over Middlesbrough will have been a welcome breather for his captain. How he needs him back on top of his game now.
Central Midfielder: Jordan Henderson
7 of 11
As Gerrard’s impact declines, Jordan Henderson’s role increases. The newly appointed vice-captain now has to become a consistently dominant force in the Liverpool midfield, and he will be looking to rediscover his excellent form from earlier in the season as well.
Central Midfielder: Philippe Coutinho
8 of 11
With Joe Allen still out injured, Lucas Leiva putting in a lethargic display at West Ham and Adam Lallana playing all 120 minutes against Middlesbrough on Tuesday, Rodgers will be tempted to reintroduce Philippe Coutinho into his first team.
In a deeper role that suits his forward-looking vision and his combative style, Coutinho will be asked to step up and take charge of a weak area for the Reds.
Attacking Midfielder: Raheem Sterling
9 of 11
Raheem Sterling has arguably been Liverpool’s most important player this term, yet it was his stray backward pass that allowed Middlesbrough to hit the Reds on the break and win a last-gasp penalty.
Fortunately Liverpool still held their nerve in an epic shootout, but Sterling still has some way to go in his decision-making before he can be elevated into the elite category.
Striker: Mario Balotelli
10 of 11
Since scoring an important late goal in the hard-fought win over Ludogorets Razgrad to kick-start their Champions League campaign, Mario Balotelli hasn’t managed to add to his Liverpool tally yet.
A couple of clinical penalties in the midweek shootout showed his legendary prowess from the spot, but as he continues to bed into Rodgers’ side, he will need to start producing a more regular output up front.
Striker: Daniel Sturridge
11 of 11
At the time of writing, Daniel Sturridge’s fitness was still under assessment by Rodgers’ team, but if Sturridge is deemed fit for the derby, he should start on Saturday.
His absence has been a costly miss for Liverpool, who have lacked a penetrating presence up front alongside Balotelli. His fitness might be the key to where the points go on the 223rd Merseyside derby.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
