Liverpool Are Well Set for Merseyside Derby Test

Kenny Dalglish returns to Goodison Park as the manager of Liverpool for the first time in 20 years at the weekend, taking with him a side that is a little wet behind the ears in terms of Merseyside derbies.

Yet while the teamsheets are completely different and players such as Beardsley, Barnes and Cottee have been replaced by modern-day heroes such as Gerrard, Suarez and Cahill, very little has changed come derby day.

The intensity and the passion of the fixture is just the same as it was 20 years ago and the rivalry, despite the two clubs largely enjoying contrasting fortunes over that period, remains intact.

The feelings between these two fiercely proud clubs will be there for all to see the minute the teams step onto the pitch at Goodison, which is an intimidating place to go on derby day when the fans are at their most tribal and the atmosphere froths with venom and spite.

It is not a place for the faint-hearted, either in the stands or on the pitch, and over the years it has proved too much for some players, who have found themselves overawed by the occasion.

Of course, there are those who revel in the passion of derby day on Merseyside. The likes of Gerrard and Carragher, Neville and Jagielka, are not ones to go missing when these two bitter rivals meet.

But with Dalglish set to give several new signings their first taste of the Merseyside derby, it is only natural to question how they will deal with the intensity of this, very special, fixture.

Dalglish need not lose too much sleep. Of the five players set to take their derby bow in the red of Liverpool, all have first-hand experience of other, equally fierce footballing rivalries.

Charlie Adam has battled in numerous Old Firm games during his time at Rangers, while Jose Enrique, Andy Carroll, Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing have all tasted derby-day atmospheres in Tyne-Wear and Tyne-Tees games for Newcastle, Sunderland or Middlesbrough. Downing has also featured in Aston Villa-Birmingham City clashes.

Five players, a wealth of experience in this kind of game. None should be overawed.

Certainly Liverpool cannot afford any cases of stage fright, having started the season relatively inauspiciously.

By assistant coach Steve Clarke's own admission, it has been a slow start to the new season, and two defeats—to Stoke and Tottenham—see them head into Saturday's early kick-off in fifth place in the Premier League. Defeat and they will be leapfrogged by their foes from across Stanley Park.

Dalglish will need his derby debutants to keep their heads in the maelstrom of the day and to contribute fully if Liverpool are to emerge with something from Goodison. But, while the quintet are new to this particular football derby, they should be experienced enough to cope with the pressure and give Dalglish something to cheer about.