Match Preview: Liverpool v. Everton, 10.01.11

By: Ed | September 30th, 2011

gerrardderby

Little introduction needed for tomorrow’s match, which marks the 216th Merseyside Derby. Last season’s encounter at Goodison was farcical from a Liverpool perspective, with the hosts dominating the match and deservedly earning a 2-0 victory that sent the Reds into the bottom three. Thankfully fortunes have changed, but what’s sure to be the same is the fiery temperament that’s come to be associated with the match-up, especially in recent years.

A longish week after a shaky victory isn’t exactly what the doctor ordered, as it’d have been nice to see Liverpool get back on the pitch a bit sooner. That would have also meant that Liverpool would have been playing in Europe, which is another trauma unto itself, so we can just take solace in the fact that at least it’s something, especially with another international break fast approaching.

It’s a great way to see the club get back into action, though, with this one almost always producing something worth watching. As mentioned, Everton have had a decent start to the season after a transfer window that didn’t exactly leave Toffee supporters singing Bill Kenwright’s praises. David Moyes saw Mikel Arteta, James Vaughan, Jermaine Beckford, and Yakubu exit, with the only additions to the squad coming in the form of part-time murderer and forward Denis Stracqualursi, midfielder Royston Drenthe, defender Eric Dier, and journeyman goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann.

Despite the lack of activity, Moyes’ side has a core that remained mostly intact. Tim Howard’s the mainstay in between the posts, and Sylvain Distin, Phil Jagielka, and Leighton Baines have played all five matches in defense, with Tony Hibbert and Phil Neville splitting time at right back. They’ve gone with five in the midfield on a few occasions thus far, with Marouane Fellaini, Jack Rodwell, Seamus Coleman, and Leon Osman getting most of the minutes, and Tim Cahill carrying the weight in attack.

**For more from an Everton perspective, check out Noel’s earlier Tea & Crumpets with Brian from Royal Blue Mersey.**

For Liverpool:

Who starts for Liverpool?

Reina
Kelly Carragher Skrtel Enrique
Lucas Adam
Kuyt Bellamy Downing
Suarez

—Daniel Agger and Glen Johnson are the only two out for sure, with the former recovering from the broken rib(s) he suffered at Spurs, and the latter apparently getting close to a first-team return after re-injuring his hamstring in a substitute appearance at Stoke.

—With Johnson and Agger out, the back line is easy enough to choose, as Martin Kelly and Martin Skrtel are ready-made replacements. In the case of Kelly there’s less drop-off, as he’s been terrific over the past year and played well despite a concerning lack of protection against Wolves. There’s a much clearer gap between Skrtel and Daniel Agger, though, and his partnership with Jamie Carragher leaves Liverpool without a center back that can bring play forward. Not a terrible partnership for the derby, but one that probably promises at least a few frightening moments.

—I’ve conceded that Charlie Adam will likely get the start tomorrow, even though it’s mostly an attempt at a jinx that sees Dalglish pick Jay Spearing or alter the formation to suit the inclusion of both Lucas and Steven Gerrard. It’s not a guarantee that Gerrard won’t play, but with limited cameos last week, it might still be too soon. If we do get Lucas and Adam, we’ll need to see a vast improvement from the latter, who hasn’t proved himself to be a consistently reliable option in central midfield.

—Once again the front four is the most muddled, with a pool of Andy Carroll, Jordan Henderson, Craig Bellamy, Dirk Kuyt, and Gerrard to choose from. Whoever Dalglish selects, they’ll be included with Stewart Downing and Luis Suarez, who’ve been Liverpool’s most impressive attacking players in the early season. I’m hoping Kuyt gets the start for obvious reasons, and I think this would be the type of match in which Bellamy could really shine.

What’s the most important factor for the Reds?

They’re cliché as hell, but the comments from Rafa Benitez are about as accurate as it gets for the derby:

“A derby is a derby. It doesn’t matter if you have spent money or not. The passion will be there and I think it will be a fantastic game.”

It won’t so much be a measuring stick for Liverpool’s chances at success this season as it will be a chance to see how the new-look Liverpool approaches one of the most hotly-contested matches of the season. The matches with United might have more meaning when it comes to titles and success, this is undoubtedly one that’ll demand the best from Dalglish’s side regardless of who’s involved.

Good news for tomorrow is that there’s coverage anywhere you are—Sky Sports 2 has the match in England and ESPN2 is carrying it stateside, and I’m sure it’ll be televised plenty of other places as well. Usual solicitation for those of you who have a way to watch that we haven’t mentioned, either here or in the matchday thread. That’ll go up late tonight with links for streams, and team sheets will follow around 45 minutes prior to kickoff, since I refuse to wake up before 5:00am for any of you bastards.

Have a nice end to the week, and let’s hope for a nice start to the weekend bright and early tomorrow.

Some Related Liverpool Posts:

Category: Match Previews, Miscellaneous, Premier League, Team News

« Tea and Crumpets with Royal Blue Mersey | Home | Matchday: Liverpool v. Everton »

Prad

Leighton Baines on how his family didn't switch from supporting the reds when he joined the blues:
"Even now my family is split. There has been no crossover to Everton from the Reds in my family since I joined the club. There is not the slightest bit of interest or compassion for the fact that I'm playing for Everton. They are not interested. They still want Liverpool to win. There is no messing about. The only one who has come across is my dad, who was a Red and now supports Everton because of me."He had to make a bit of an effort with being my dad, didn't he? I don't know if he still slyly roots for them but he comes to every home game and a lot of the aways and I'd say he definitely follows Everton now. I'll probably get him slaughtered by his mates for saying that. For all I know he might still leg it down the boozer with a Liverpool scarf on when they're on the telly."
ShedYourYellow

Forever skipping standardized testing to watch the Merseyside derby.
Jose Enrique's bicep

SO. EXCITED.
Muhammad201166

you are a very good defender
NotTooXabi

*It's on like Rooney in a nursing home*

Fowler, I love/hate Derby Day.
CheekyFellow

It's funny, I want this match to happen already, but I'm probably not even going to be awake for it, -_-
Ed

Blasphemy!
CheekyFellow

Ok fine
Brian

Carroll deserves a go after last weeks match. Think that with balls coming in from Stu and Dirky we can see a little more about what he's capable of. A start from Gerrard is only going to make things more exciting. Best of luck boys.
Ryan

The picture says it all. Gerrard should start.

I mentioned in in the previous post, that I think this game and the next are going to paraphrase the season. Will we fail to meet expectations? Does Kenny have any idea what he's doing? I don't mean to say the season is over if we loose the next 2 games, but it's very clear to me that none of the other games matter in comparison to now.

My lineup:

-------------Reina--------------
Kelly---Skrtel--Coates--Enrique
----------Lucas---Spearing-----
-Kuyt-------Gerrard-------Downing
-------------Suarez---------------

Kenny's lineup potentially:

------------Reina-------------
Kelly--Skrtel--Carragher--Enrique--
-------Lucas---Adam---------
Kuyt------------------------Downing
-------Suarez--------Carroll----
ReadLiverpoolFC

There's not much chance that my body has properly detoxified by 7:30 in
the morning after a Friday night, nor am I particularly pleased to be
even semi-conscious at such a time while not engaging in some form of
coitus. Other than that, I do look forward to derby days, as they're
generally quite a good time.

As long as Kuyt starts.
ShedYourYellow

If Kuyt doesn't start, I expect the intoxication to never cease.
redtrev73

Sentiment seconded. Intoxication ceaseless irrespective!
falloniusmaximus

Remember when the city of Liverpool were celebrating their year as the European City of Culture and Gerrard and Neville wore "08" to commemorate it...then both got sent off? Good stuff.
redtrev73

Evocative choice of picture Ed. Nothing like seeing the contorted, rage-filled faces of the bluenose hordes venting their spleens at Stevie to remind us Redmen how much we want to win this thing tomorrow.

We'll all be making predictions of the likely 11 and contrasting them with our own preferred 11 but if Kenny has shown us anything it's that we know nothing when it comes to his line-ups. I'm hoping, like yourself and Purify the body, to see Bellers, Dirky and Wee Jay, but if instead it's Hendo, Carroll and Adam...well shit, they're wearing a liverbird on their chests and I'll be cheering them on.

We can't make the calls on matchday but we can give our guys the blanket backing when they play that marks the majority of right-thinking LFC fans out as a cut above the kind of whinging, phone-in twats that populate the terraces and websites of other clubs...and talksport.

Time enough afterwards for valid criticism and autopsy and round these parts that's done in a fair and balanced way for the most part. It's what makes this community of Reds the place to be. After all, with Kenny at the helm we have a direct connection back to the boot-room days when Shanks dreamt of turning Anfield into a "bastion of invincibility".
ejbauer11

Indeed.

Just finished re-reading last year's Oct. 3rd post, which Ed put up in response to johnysignapore's query in the tea n crumpets post's comments section. Nice to be debating whether Hendo and Adam deserve to start rather than whether to find the nearest body of water and drown myself. Golden skies will come soon enough.
Gally

Amen brother
Dawleylad

Talksport were saying today that if Liverpool fail to beat Everton today then Kenny should resign, stating that his games per points record this time around is no better than Hodgson. Food for thought.

http://www.keelbyunited.co.uk
Red2death

Hodgson's points haul was only the half of it. He was castigated because of the way we were playing and losing, not just the results. Liverpool fans aren't that shallow.

There's a big difference between creating numerous chances and still going down 1-0 to Stoke, and losing games because you'd played like crap, created nothing, have no game plan, players are alienated, and never looked improving in a million years.

Therein lies the gaping difference which is much too subtle for Talksport to catch on to or care about. But that's ok, they have to make a living.
Latortillablanca

thank you for jumpin on that mop up duty
Purify_the_body

I also want the tough guys (Spearing, Bellamy, & Kuyt) and am afraid we'll see the wimps (Adam, Henderson, & Carroll).
Red2death

They'll be taking a leaf from the Tottenham game and trying to hit us hard and rough us up from the get-go. If we're indeed encumbered with the wimps, I say we call on the spirits of Nani and Ronaldo and get them five bookings in the first ten minutes. All's fair in love and derbies...
Kiwiscouser

As much as i like your point about (nani) and (ronaldo), i do think that their names should not be mentioned here because it disgraces the page
JPR

Just look at the Bluenose fans in the picture. Could it be any clearer that we need the tough guys. Even the one lady (?) is ready to kick Stevie G.'s arse.