Liverpool host Everton at Anfield tomorrow in the first Merseyside derby of the season. Both sides have failed to impress, with Liverpool winning two games and Everton winning just one out of the first five games. Everton lost 4-0 at Anfield last season, with goals from skipper Steven Gerrard, Daniel Sturridge(2) and Luis Suarez.
Team news:
Liverpool: Mignolet, Manquillo, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno, Gerrard, Henderson, Lallana, Sterling, Balotelli, Sturridge
Everton: Howard, Coleman, Distin, Jagielka, Baines, McCarthy, Barry, Mirallas, Naismith, McGeady, Lukaku
Rodgers provided a fitness update on injured striker Daniel Sturridge. The club medical staff will continue to assess Sturridge’s fitness and he will be given every chance prove his fitness for the Merseyside derby on Saturday. Sturridge was injured while on duty for England and has missed the last four games for Liverpool. Midfielders Joe Allen, Emre Can and Coutinho are still out injured. Jon Flanagan is also a long term absentee. Spanish fullbacks Alberto Moreno and Javier Manquillo might start at fullback positions. Jose Enrique might start ahead of Alberto Moreno after an impressive performance against Middlesbrough. Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren will start at the heart of the defense. Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson will start at the middle of the park. English duo Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling will provide support for strikers Mario Balotelli and Daniel Sturridge.
As for Everton, Seamus Coleman is expectedto be back from injury and so is Steven Pienaar. Everton boss Roberto Martinez could make a few changes in the defence having conceded so many goals.
Manager Quotes:
Brendan Rodgers: “I get a bit of stick off Evertonians but it’s mostly Liverpool supporters I come across.
“I enjoy running along the streets, seeing people and smelling the dinners coming out of the kitchens!
“I’ve had a few run alongside me but in the main they’re very good.
“I understand exactly where the Liverpool supporters come from with this game. This is a fixture I love – I love that intensity and that feeling, especially at Anfield.
“It’s a really special game between two great football clubs.”
Roberto Martinez:“Steven Pienaar is recovering really well and we are going to assess him over the next few days.
“It’s the same with Seamus. Both are in the same situation where it is too early to tell if they are going to be fit for the weekend.”
Opta Stats:
- Luis Suarez has scored in three of his four Barclays Premier League Merseyside derby appearances.
- Romelu Lukaku has scored four goals in four Barclays Premier League appearances against Liverpool.
- There have been more red cards in the Merseyside derby than in any other fixture in Barclays Premier League history (20).
- Liverpool have won seven and lost just one of their last 14 Premier League Merseyside derbies.
- Everton have won none of the last 13 Premier League visits to Anfield, drawing seven and losing six in that run. Liverpool are 1.38 in the Draw No Bet market.
- Daniel Sturridge has scored in 11 of his 14 Premier League appearances this season. He hasn’t scored more than once in any match.
- 64% of the goals Liverpool have scored this season have been netted in the first half; the highest proportion of any team in the Premier League.
- 29% of the goals Liverpool have conceded have been headers; the highest proportion of any team in the top flight this season.
- No player has made more clearances than Martin Skrtel this season (222, the same as West Brom’s Jonas Olsson).
- Steven Gerrard has netted seven Premier League goals against Everton (all from open play), only against Aston Villa (12) and Newcastle (8) has he netted more. No player has netted more in Merseyside derbies.
Prediction:
Liverpool 3-0 Everton