THE Merseyside derby is rapidly approaching. Sunday will see the Reds travel to Goodison for the first time under the stewardship of new boss Brendan Rodgers and both he and his opposite number David Moyes will be desperate not to lose the first Derby of the season.
David Moyes’s side currently sit six points ahead of their rivals from across Stanley Park after an impressive start to the campaign.
The Reds, on the other hand, have endured a tough start to the season but are improving all the time and, after picking up seven points from their last three Barclays Premier League games, will fancy their chances of getting a result when the two teams come face to face on Sunday.
A major factor in Liverpool’s success in recent weeks has been the improvement in defence. Liverpool have kept two clean sheets in their last two league games and continued their impressive form at the back with another clean sheet against Russian Premier League leaders, Anzhi, in the Europa League on Thursday.
Defensive solidity will be a must if the Reds are to get a result against the Toffees, as these games are normally tight affairs, decided by the odd goal. David Moyes’s Everton have adopted a slightly more expansive style this season and, with strikers such as Nikica Jelavic and Kevin Mirallas posing a strong goal threat, Skrtel, Agger and co. will be have to be on their toes, especially with the possible absence of Pepe Reina in goal.
Liverpool’s lack of league goals last season was well documented and, aside from the Norwich game, the Reds have struggled to hit the back of the net in the league so far this term too. In fact, the Reds have only netted five times in seven games in the league since the season began, excluding the victory at Norwich, a fact which makes it all the more important that the defence continues its rich vein of form at the weekend.
Liverpool’s back four will most likely consist of Johnson, Agger, Skrtel and Wisdom (barring any late knocks). As a unit these four players have grown together over the season, adjusting to the new system and style of play and, although there have been teething problems, there have been clear signs in recent weeks that things are coming together, culminating in the run of three, consecutive clean sheets.
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Agger, Skrtel and Johnson have been mainstays of the Liverpool back four for a number of years now. Hugely experienced international players, all three bring different qualities and attributes which complement each other perfectly. Unfortunately for the Reds, injuries have often prohibited these three players from playing together on a regular basis during their time at the club. Now, finally (touch wood), it seems that they are all in peak condition and reaching their prime years as footballers. The experience and know-how of that these three bring to the back four have allowed Andre Wisdom to come in at right-back with a minimum of fuss. Wisdom, though young, has displayed maturity and composure since claiming the right-back spot earlier in the season. An uncomplicated lad who does the simple things well, Sunday will be his taste of derby action, but the experience of those alongside him is sure to help him through.
Brad Jones may be forced to deputise for Pepe Reina (as mentioned above), with the Spaniard struggling to be fit after picking up a hamstring strain while on international duty with Spain. This is not ideal, however Jones performed well against Reading and Anzhi, making important saves in both matches and commanding his penalty area with a new found confidence. The loss of Reina (if it happens) will be a blow, however Jones is something of a good luck charm for the Reds, having only once been on the losing side when he’s taken the field in a Liverpool shirt.
Everton will definitely be without Stephen Pienaar (suspended) and it’s looking fairly certain that Morouane Fellaini (injured) will be missing for the Toffees too. The loss of two of their best, most creative players will doubtless hamper Everton going forward, however, it will of course be a bonus for Liverpool defensively.
So the question has to be asked then: with all this talk of defensive solidity and barely a mention of the Reds creative and attacking options, would I settle for a draw? The answer is of course no.
Whilst a draw wouldn’t be a bad result, I would rarely, if ever, settle for one before a ball was kicked, especially against Everton. Liverpool’s record over their neighbours is good, the Reds have had the psychological edge in this fixture over the years, a fact proved by the FA Cup semi-final win last season and, as such, I see no reason why we can’t go to Goodison and get three points on Sunday.
However, as mentioned above, it will be a very tight affair if experience is anything to go by and a clean sheet may well be crucial if the Reds are to achieve that objective. A 1-0 win for the visitors would be most satisfying.
You can catch up with Neil on Twitter @Neil1980 or on his blog http://itsallinthegameblog.wordpress.com/
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Come on reds lets do them over
never before in a derby have i felt such dread and despondency