Two teams no one expected to start so poorly will face off on Saturday in the season’s first edition of the Merseyside Derby. Between the two, Everton and Liverpool have amassed just eleven points in 10 games.
Both teams will be eager to impress in this early season showdown with more than a place in the table on the line.
Both clubs have lost three of their last four premier league fixtures, and both are without key contributors. Missing out will be Everton’s young star Ross Barkley, while Daniel Sturridge faces an uphill battle in order to be ready for Saturday. For Everton, Romelu Lukaku is hard at work repaying the transfer fee they doled out for him.
It’s imperative that the Belgian steps up in big games and shows more consistency than last season. His price tag means he’s expected to lead Everton through thick and thin, and although he was at times unstoppable for Everton on loan last year, he endured multiple scoring droughts among injury concerns.
Everton’s biggest threat in this contest is Roberto Martinez. Everton have only amassed five points in the league, but they’ve played better than that number suggests. They dominated Arsenal for 75 minutes before squandering a two goal lead, and were involved in the instant-classic 6-3 match against Chelsea.
Martinez will make sure his players know they’re doing the right things, but they need to be more precise. Saturday could be a historic day for the Toffees, who haven’t beaten Liverpool at Anfield in 15 years. Surely this is an excellent chance to put up a fight and maybe snatch a win, so plenty is on the line for the Spaniard.
It was a formality last season that Everton would be hard to break down, regardless of their opponent. Things have changed with the form of their aging core of defensive players. With Sturridge very questionable, Mario Balotelli has another chance to impose his will once again on England.
Balotelli will be going up against Sylvain Distin whose age is taking a toll on him, and an uncharacteristically struggling Phil Jagielka. Tim Howard’s issues are a whole different story, but Roberto Martinez put to rest doubts about the resolve of his American shot-stopper.
Balotelli and whoever starts alongside have a chance to inflict the same irreparable damage Liverpool were so accustomed to handing out in bulk with Suarez in the side. Raheem Sterling should play a big part in the Derby too, as he has been by far Liverpool’s best player this term.
Steven Gerrard is one player whose leash is running short with the supporters. Rodgers made a mistake playing Gerrard three times in eight days, because by the time West Ham came around he was running on fumes, left to protect a back four struggling enough already.
I would expect Martin Skrtel to make a difference in his return to the lineup, as he usually does in big games at home. Thus, either Dejan Lovren or Mamadou Sakho will be dropped. Lovren’s struggles came to a head last weekend, and Sakho’s inability to head balls out of his own area cause much concern.
Brendan Rodgers was hailed in the summer window for his swift and aggressive strategy following Suarez’ exit. It’s only five games into the season, but dropping points at home to Everton of all clubs would put even more pressure on a squad failing to produce results.
A win would be a massive result, and Rodgers would feel very good about his club going forward if they put on a show like they have in the past at Anfield. A tie though, let alone a loss, wouldn’t bode well with supporters who have been so critical of Steven Gerrard in recent days.
As for Everton, a solid showing and any points at all could serve as a springboard off of which to catapult back into the top four discussion. On what could be a historic day for the Toffees, Liverpool must be more organized defensively and get a good showing out of their forwards or face the wrath of the Anfield faithful.
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