Barclays Premier League Special - Everton vs. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 – Key Battles
Everton will host their fierce local rivals Liverpool in the 216th overall Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Saturday October 1, 2011.
Both teams have had a decent start to the 2011/12 Barclays Premier League and would be aiming for all three points but the Red and Blue derby of Merseyside is not all about winning.
It is one of the most highly anticipated and intense rivalries in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749 and the players from both sides try to give their best.
Though, the Anfield club have a better record against the Toffees, this time they will face a much sterner opponent in David Moyes’ men.
On the other hand, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Everton-c13019 remained unbeaten against their rivals in both league matches last term and the hosts will now be looking to extend their undefeated run.
Here is a look at some of the key battles, which could determine the outcome of the fixture
Luis Suarez vs. Phil Jagielka
The Uruguayan striker is enjoying the form of his life and will surely be the man to watch for the hosts.
Suarez has been a revelation at Liverpool since joining Ajax and his extraordinary contribution in the last few months has made him the most important player for the Reds.
The 24-year-old, who was named Copa America’s Most Valueable Player, has started the current season impressively. Suarez has already been named Liverpool’s man of the match five times so far this season and has already scored four goals and also provided
three assists.
The former Ajax man will surely start at Goodison Park and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-c10409 Moyes now should have a perfect plan to keep hold of the Uruguayan if he wants to get a positive result.
The Toffees most experienced defender http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Phil-Jagielka-c29902 will be given the task of keeping Suarez quite for 90 minutes. The Englishman will have to show his best form in order to keep the Uruguayan striker and the visitors at bay.
Despite failing to complete his dream move to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sylvain-Distin-c34430 as Everton have conceded only seven goals
in five matches in the Premier League.
The 29-year-old was impressive in Everton’s recent defeat to Manchester City. The Englishman gave his best performance to keep City’s versatile attack at bay.
Moreover, Jagielka efficiently executed his http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Job-c18684 of keeping Edin Dzeko silent as the Englishman totally dominated the Bosnian striker throughout the whole match.
Now, the 29-year-old will be called again to give his best against Liverpool’s talismanic Luis Suarez. Jagielka will not only have to suppress the Uruguayan striker but he will also have to organise Everton’s defence.
Charlie Adam vs Jack Rodwell
The former Blackpool skipper has been an immediate hit at the Anfield club and is now the heart of Kenny Dalglish’s midfield. The 25-year-old has hugely impressed with his wide range of passing skills and the Scottish international’s performance could eventually
decide the outcome of the match.
However, the highly-rated English defensive midfielder http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jack-Rodwell-c17462 has also been very impressive so far. The Englishman won plaudits for his extraordinary performance against Manchester City.
The 20-year-old efficiently man-marked City’s creative midfielder http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-Silva-c10601, which helped Everton dominate Mancini’s men for most of the time during the match.
Rodwell will have to replicate his impressive when the Toffees face their fierce rivals and will have to make sure that Adam is not given any room to orchestrate Liverpool’s play.
The highly-contested Merseyside derby will definitely be decided on these two aforementioned battles and the bragging rights will depend on these four players’ performances.
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