If Everton decide to pack the midfield then the middle area will be highly congested and it will be difficult to move the ball smoothly especially against scrappy opponents the likes of Everton.
Lack of height at set piece plays. Looking at the players picked, defending aerially from the likes of Cahill and Fellaini will be extremely difficult. It would be more assuring if Andy Carroll and Seb Coates were in the line up to nullify such threats, but we have already worn out the discussion of Carroll’s abilities upfront and it would be difficult to throw in Coates for his premiership debut against a bitter rival (remember Evra’s debut in the Manchester derby).
Other comments:
Every player will need to keep their heads in the hostile atmosphere of Goodison. The Merseyside derby is the most red-carded fixture in Premier league history. Luis Suarez is well know for his short fuse and will need to watch his temper when he gets kicked around (and we all know he will).
Charlie Adam’s tackling is dodgy to say the least and he will need to be extra careful when going in for tackles. Lucas is also guilty of giving away niggly fouls close to box and will have to be careful. Steven Gerrard and Jaimie Carragher (both guilty of reckless tackles in this fixture in the past) will be very important in terms of pumping the team up for the game as well as calming the inevitable tempers that will flare up.
Conclusion:
All in all I think with this formation and the players selected for it we have an excellent chance of really whipping the lights out of Everton. The players left on the bench (Bellamy, Coates, Carroll, Spearing, Henderson) have been good enough (some more than others) to start for Liverpool this season so should provide solid cover for tiring legs or untimely injuries in the second half.
I’ll end this with the legendary Bill Shankly’s quote, today being the 30th anniversary of his death:
‘If Everton were playing at the bottom of the garden, I’d pull the curtains.’
What do you think? Agree/disagree with the picks or formation?
This article was written by Kava, and is courtesy of our partner website ourkop.com. Read the latest news and blogs about Liverpool FC at Our Kop. – ed
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Your formation will only ensure we scrap for a 1-0 win or so.
Attack them with pace and power. Finish them off early and then track back and kill the game.
Suarez – Caroll
Downing – Kuyt – Lucas – Bellamy
Enrique – Skrtel – Carra – Kelly
Reina
Just a thought.
I have this gut feeling all the new additions should not be around in this one.Everton is going to mesmerise you guys into a frenzy like ‘catch me if you can ‘ and I’m afraid the never walk alone guys will be in for a lesson.Common on KD please for heavens sake field those very same people who gave their all to save you the blushes when you came on.Surely,you will call on them for future games if the freshies blunder again !!!.(or call on me for a lesson or two in team selection on current form).
mikeob.
tricky team selection this!!
is adam good enough to help lucus out when the going gets tuff?
is carroll in goon enough shape to complete with a very good distin and the others.
is that attack pacey enough without bellamy,
Do we use gerrard as a sub to use him for his pace in the second half or later, remember he just cant be taken for aride, he has only played not even close to a full game yet! so thats a risk.
for me id go like this;-
REINA
KELLY CARRAGHER SKRTEL ENRIQUE
KUYT LUCUS ADAM DOWNING
BELLAMY
SUAREZ
SUBS;
DONI GK, COATES, MAXI, GERRARD, CARROLL, SPEARING,
FLANAGAN.
NOT THERE; JOHNSON, AGGER AND HENDERSON.
OUT; JOHNSON AND AGGER.
NOT YET MATCH FIT; AURELIO.
LOAN; SHELVEY.
WIN 2-1
Carroll & Suarez must start every game together if they are to blossom into a partnership.
Bellamy is a great player to bring on after an hour when the opoosition are tiring.
Gerrard will come on and I assume will replace Lucas, in this game probably at half time and then permanently from then on.
Kuyt must get the nod ahead of Henderson especially in away fixtures.
If carragher makes yet another mistake in this game then he will need replacing for the next game too, especially as Gerrard will be back and have the armband.
I guess it high time Suarez should start to get SG services…..nd get to know each other immediately!!!
Considering the positive signs of a Suarez/Caroll partnership we saw at the Wolves game, I’d start these two in attack. I feel it’s too soon for Gerrard to start a match but what a player to have on the bench. Equally Bellamys pace could come in handy towards the 60 minute mark when Everton start to tire a bit. Kuyt to replace Henderson due to his work rate and ability to score in big games. First XI therefore as follows:
Reina
Kelly – Carra – Skrtl – Enrique
Kuyt – Lucas – Adam – Downing
Suarez – Caroll
Subs: Doni, Coates, Flanagan, Spearing, Gerrard, Henderson/Maxi, Bellamy
Reina
Kelly – Carra – Skrtl – Enrique
Downing – Lucas – Adam – Bellamy
Kuyt – Suarez