The Merseyside Derby: How Should Roy Hodgson's Reds Line Up?
The Merseyside derby is back again! And this time around, this match holds much more significance than it ever has for both teams as they look to kick-start their seasons after a turbulent start to their campaigns.
18 time domestic champions Liverpool are languishing in the relegation zone after only managing to pick up 1 win after 7 games. The same stat goes to Everton who are just a place above Liverpool in 17th spot.
The Reds will start as the underdogs but after a dramatic week in which they have finally got rid of the Hicks and Gillett, the Reds can look forward to a brighter future ahead with John W. Henry as the new owner of Liverpool.
Everton, meanwhile did themselves proud last week after they picked up a morale boosting victory away at Birmingham, a place that many teams struggle to get 3 points. And that is why the Blues should start as favourites. Coupled with that they will be playing in Goodison park, their home.
Here, I will analyse the starting XI that I would love to see Roy Hodgson deploy in this important fixture.
I will look to go for a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Goalkeeper : Pepe Reina
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Surely Liverpool's best player so far in this campaign, Pepe Reina will be looking to keep a clean sheet in this game.
The winner of the Golden Gloves in the BPL for 4 consequtive seasons, Reina will have to lead the back four in the best way possible.
With Everton's forwards Yakubu and Saha struggling for form, Reina should count himself lucky but should still be wary of a very strong Everton midfield with Cahill, Pienaar, Osman and Fellaini being serious threats.
Whatever it is, if Liverpool fans need someone to bank on, then this is the man to do so.
Right Back : Martin Kelly
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Well, this might come as a huge surprise but let me elaborate on the reasons being why I choose Kelly in place of regular right back, Glen Johnson.
Many football experts have condemned Johnson of being too offensive rather than defensive, which is his primary duty.
With Johnson playing more like a winger, I would want to see him play as a winger and Kelly being drafted to the back four.
This move could turn out to be a smart one as space won't be exposed in the right side for Steven Pienaar to punish Liverpool.
Just remember, the South African has already inflicted pain on Liverpool's fierce rivals, Manchester United.
This move could also surprise Everton as they would have to change tactics.
Centre Back : Jamie Carragher
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The Liverpool vice-captain once said that once the league fixture table is out, the first thing that he would do is check when the Reds take on Everton.
The local player who was an Everton fan as a boy has always played this fixture whole-heartedly just as he does in all games.
His voice in the dressing room and on the pitch will be vital for Liverpool to get a win in this game.
Centre Back : Martin Skrtel
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Personally, I would like to see Daniel Agger partnering Carra in the heart of defence but he's doubtful for this match.
Plus, he's not been a regular under Hodgson and he recently did self-damage to his chances of playing regularly by criticising Roy's philosophy of football.
Therefore, having Skrtel would not be so bad as he is reliable when defending and also good in the air which can help him overcome Tim Cahill who is an expert in dealing with headers.
Left Back : Paul Konchesky
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Reports have said that Fabio Aurelio could be back in action but he should just settle for a place in the subs bench.
Konchesky impressed in his debut game vs Birmingham but has faded since then with rather mediocre performances in the Red shirt.
He needs to shift to top gear in this match as in-form midfielder Leon Osman will be bombing in crosses from the right side of the pitch.
If he can overcome Osman, then Everton's chances of scoring becomes lower.
All in all, Konchesky must pull up his socks for this derby.
Right Winger : Glen Johnson
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I have already explained why I would like to see Johnson playing in right wing in the 2nd slide.
With Johnson loving to bomb down the right side of midfield and exchanging passes with Gerrard, Torres and co., I am confident this move won't back fire.
The question is, will Roy be experimental enough to try this away from home in a derby match. I don't really think so.
Central Midfielder : Steven Gerrard
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Stevie G has been the only Reds player to step out of mediocrity in this campaign. In fact he is their top scorer with 3 goals so far.
He's enjoying his best start to a season with Liverpool and will look to once again put in a spectacular performance for his boyhood club.
My hopes are that he can play in this position to win the midfield battle against Everton which I think is crucial to know who wins this game. Once the impressive quartet of Cahill, Fellaini, Osman and Pienaar are stopped, Liverpool will surely come out tops in Goodison Park.
And with Captain Marvel in fine form for both club and country, the Reds faithful can rely on this man who gives in everything when playing for the Mighty Reds.
Central Midfielder : Raul Meireles
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Portuguese international, Raul Meireles is slowly but surely starting to hold down a place in Liverpool's starting XI.
Having scored a rocket in midweek for Portugal in the Euro 2012 qualifiers, he should be quietly confident to make an impact in this game.
His partnership with Gerrard in the centre will be important for goalscoring chances to pop up.
Left Winger : Ryan Babel
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Now, this can just remain a fantasy because I don't see this happening at all.
However, playing Babel could result in him providing support for Torres and he is also reliable to knack in a goal or two.
His pace and power would trouble Leighton Baines and Roy should really think about him rather than playing Jovanovic who to me does not look like a Liverpool player.
Babel deserves a chance. C'mon Roy, play him!
Attacking Midfielder : Joe Cole
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Reds new boy Joe Cole has been working tirelessly on the pitch for Liverpool since he's arrived.
He's been making good tackles and his work-rate has been superb.
Is this going to be the day that Cole gets his first league goal for the club? Well, I hope so.
He needs to support Torres and be the second striker so that Torres does not feel alienated any more. His creativity will be influential for the Reds as they seek to unlock Everton's defence.
Striker : Fernando Torres
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What better way to turn his form around than scoring against the Blues.
Torres has never really made a mark in this campaign with only 1 goal against West Brom to show.
Niggling injury problems have been the cause of all this but he has returned to full training this week in a bid to take the field in the Merseyside Derby. He has scored in this match before and will be keen to do so again.
