Has any Merseyside derby in the last 5 years had so much riding on it? Both clubs need to kickstart their season, languishing as they are at the bottom of the table, and Liverpool could certainly benefit from a positive result to put extra shine on the result of the ridiculously protracted ownership debacle. But with a squad that has such limited reserves of talent, which eleven could actually get the W?
The derby is always a passionate match that makes grit and experience a necessity. For me that means a centre-back pairing of Skrtel and Carragher. The lack of pace in this Everton team, with Saha a long-term absentee, means that they won’t be exposed to many through balls or runs in behind them and they aren’t afraid of a tackle. This, combined with their proficiency in the air, makes their partnership ideal for what will most likely be a jostling a scrappy affair.
Selection of the fullbacks has been shrouded with uncertainty all season. Glen Johnson is very talented going forward but sometimes frustratingly lax in fulfilling his defensive duties, and the left-backs are constantly on the treatment table and lack match fitness. The latter could be said of Paul Konchesky and is certainly true of Fabio Aurelio, but with Daniel Agger out as well Roy will probably have to put Paul right back in the action.
I think the maturity and adaptability of Martin Kelly has earned him a place at right back. Not only is he adept in his ability and timing of closing down wide players, needed against the tricky Leon Osman, but he is also able to get forward well and pump in a good cross. Johnson has to make way after some increasingly dodgy performances of late even though it was not completely his fault that he was so exposed against Blackpool. If Roy can instil more confidence, or steel himself if necessary, and begin to approach games with a higher defensive line then the gap between defence and midfield that was so evident against Blackpool can be shored up.
Dare I say it, but I think Lucas Leiva deserves a place in holding midfield. I’ve been one of his more ardent critics of recent times but the alternative is to rely on Poulsen who has been wasteful in possession and slow to defend. Gerrard has often had to fill in for the dozy Dane and we simply cannot afford to lose Stevie’s creative capabilities in this team. By all accounts Lucas was solid for Brazil this week, and solidity is paramount to getting a result on Derby day. With Pienaar out Lucas would have to keep tabs on the only creative midfielder left in Everton’s squad, Mikel Arteta, to stop the blue engine purring. I’m not entirely confident that a pressurised Lucas can avoid rash tackles though, and the danger the Toffees present from from set pieces means the Brazilian would have to put in a shrewd and composed performance.
Whoever starts on the right will have to keep track of Baines who made a lot of aggressive runs and set up Cahill against Birmingham. Kuyt would have been perfect in this role, but in his absence the next best thing is probably Raul Meireles. His lack of pace is outweighed by his positional sense and work ethic and, frankly, I don’t trust Maxi to track back. In a similar vein I would employ the hard-working Jovanovic on the left. We simply don’t have any natural midfield width in the squad, so we have to make do with late forays from the fullbacks.
At the tip of this midfield diamond would be Steven Gerrard. A Liverpool team without Gerrard in an advanced central position is uninspired and monotone. With him as the lynchpin there is the dual benefit of stability and purpose for the team. Cahill is a tenacious customer but Everton are missing the midfield bulk of Fellaini, and playing Joe Cole off Torres as a conduit between Stevie and the Spaniard has the potential to play the Australian out of the game. If these three can link up, perhaps with Cole playing a versatile role that allows the wingers to cut inside, some fluid interplay could get the breakthrough at Goodison.
What do you think? Is it too much of a gamble to replace Poulsen with Lucas and bring Kelly into the eleven? Should Meireles start in a more central role? Or is the best we can get out of limited resources? Leave your thoughts below.
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play Johnson as winger and Kelly as right back. Use Pacheco behind Torres and drop back Gerrard to central.
I agree, play kelly at right back, put Babel on the right mid, put Meireles back in centre with Stevie and push Jovanovic up with Nando.
lmao fans are so easily fooled into believing what a manager does must be the only way to do things! All of a sudden Meireles is a logical decision at right midfield!? Why is the team that you suggest all of a sudden going to become a team that we want to see, just because you replace our attacking full back with a young centre back that is played out of position??
Reina
Johnson-Kyrgiakos-Carragher-Konchesky
Gerrard-Meireles
Babel-Cole-Jovanovich
Torres
Jones/Kelly/Wilson/Lucas/Shelvey/Pacheco/Ngog
Change the system from that pathetic 4411 system, get some pace in the attacking third to reduce the over reliance on Torres, play two energetic two-way midfielders through the middle, and play the only defender we have that comes anywhere remotely close to replicating Hyppia’s physical presence at the back – THAT is the way to get the most out of our limited resources right now!
We’d have an extremely inexperienced bench, but I’d much rather give those young guys a chance than continue to invest time in Maxi, Poulsen or Skrtel; none of whom are any more likely to turn a game in our favour, either now in the future
for this match we need a line back that got pace and can defend, Agger skrtel pairing out there and kelly aurelio(if available) could be good line back, meireles and gerrard in the middle babbel and johnson on the wings pacheco torress upfront…!!!?????
Agree with back four, but would play Johnson on right midfield and Meireles in the centre with Gerrard. Agree Lucas is better than Poulson but still not good enough. Give Babel a start on the left.
Whatever happens, we should start Meireles in the middle somewhere. He’s wasted on the wing. If needbe, push Cole out left, Babel on the right, Gerrard and Lucas in the middle.
Babel’s got pace and isn’t afraid to take on a man or two, so we need to make use of him.
Johnson and Poulsen injured
Cara RB Lucas Stevie CM Maxi now playing
Soto now playing
You are absolutely and totally wrong about Meireles and where he is played . The man is outstanding for Portugal IN THE CENTRE and that is where he should be. Therefore don’t think much of your choice and expect if they become correct then another defeat awaits.
I think your right Blindside but I think he is behind Torres tomorrow
Before liverpool sign any player, we have to change new manager. Appoint Jose Mourinho.
NOW WE GOT NEW OWNER, SO WE GO FOR NEW MANAGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
……Liverpool must play with 3 striker………
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………..4-3-3 Attacking Formation………….
(dont play the STUPID formation 4-2-3-1 with lonely striker)
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………………….Reina………………….
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Glen…..Carra/Skrtel…..Agger….Konche/Aurelio
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……….Gerrard….Meirelez/Aqui….Cole…….
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………….Kuyt…..Torre…..Jova/Babel…….
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Bring Back Aquilani.
The line-up chosen by Jay Wright is the best one for this game for me although I would have Skrtel on the bench instead of Wilson. I’d definitely like to see Jovanovic and Babel provide us with some width and allow them to switch wings during the match if required..
I’ll put you out of your misery, team as follows
Reina
Cara Skrtel Soto Konchesky
Maxi Lucas Gerrard Cole
Meireles Torres
akash! do one you stupid P you dont know anything
For crying out loud Roy! Raul is at his best in a central role next to gerrard. Both are eager to get forward and press the action with a quick one-two between them. One of the best things with Raul is willingness to get forward as oppose to lucas and poulsen. I’d like to see kelly get at start aswell, he deserves it.
I really hope that you are wrong Silver Fox. If not, why on earth is Maxi starting!? Can anybody seriously say that he’s looked a better player than Babel or Jovanovich in the game’s that he’s played this season??
That looks to be yet another game where we are totally reliant on Torres taking on an entire defence by himself because the wide-men are too slow to get close to him 🙁
Still, at least the centre looks stronger than usual, with one of the pointless DM’s dropped at least and Soto taking his place at CB…
buy Edin Dzeko,Marek Hamsyk,Eden Hazard and Ashley Young!!!