Anfield gears up for another spectacle as Liverpool play host to Everton for the Merseyside Derby. Liverpool enter this match in the 8th position and they are currently five points behind Manchester United who are placed 5th. The Reds have a game in hand and they can cut this gap to two points. Everton are placed 11th in the table and they also have the big FA cup semifinal against Man United to look forward to on Saturday. This derby involves a lot of emotions amongst the fans and both managers are well aware of this. The intensity of this game is also depicted by the fact that it has produced 20 red cards which is more than any other fixture.
Team News
Liverpool will be missing their star midfielder Emre Can in the defensive position and their skipper Jordan Henderson for the derby. Joe Allen and Lucas are expected to take their positions. Everton will be without the services of their key defenders Jagielka and Coleman and this will be a big blow for the manager considering the attacking flair that Liverpool has. The good news for Everton is Lukaku, Barkley and McCarthy return to the line-up and this will be a big boost for the fans.
Form
Liverpool – DDWWW
Liverpool have been in tremendous form off late with three wins on the run against Dortmund, Stoke and Bournemouth. Their key men have shown signs of improvement with Sturridge hitting the net six times out of the last eight appearances. Origi and Allen are the other players who are having a good run.
Everton – LLDDD
Everton have not had a good run of form lately as they have not managed a single win in their last five games. Martinez faces a lot of concerns related to injury and also the fact that his side has the big FA cup semifinal clash against Man United.
Tactics
Liverpool will be without their key men in the midfield and Everton will try to take advantage and exploit the gaps. Everton are known to have the strategy to build and press up the pitch. This is what they will try to do as Liverpool have the absence of Emre Can to stop the attacks. Also, the Reds have been vulnerable to set-pieces and Martinez will urge his players to make use of them. Klopp should go with the usual 4-2-3-1 and follow the tactics similar to the ones in their recent games.
Manager’s Words
Jurgen Klopp will want his players not to get carried away with their recent success and focus on getting the three points at Anfield and keep the European dream alive. This is what he had to say in the press conference.
“In our case, we only rotate because the most important tournament still and always will be the Premier League. You cannot rest for a tournament, you can only try to find a few more fit players and that is what we tried to do.”
