English Premier League: Everton vs Liverpool Preview
Everton host one of the most widely anticipated Merseyside derbies of the season as they take on arch rivals Liverpool on this Super Sunday clash. Both sides have had a similar season, having won just one game in this season’s Premier League. Liverpool sit
at 18th place in the relegation zone, while Everton are just one spot above them. There’s not much separating the two sides at this point.
Liverpool have had internal unrest since last season when it was revealed that the club’s ownership would change hands. It was a disagreement with the owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, which made Rafa Benitez leave for Inter Milan and the appointment
of Roy Hodgson. Since then Hodgson has been unsure of his position as well, with many key players expressing their desire to leave. But now the Liverpool ownership saga seems to have come to an end with New England Sports Ventures taking over.
Even though the home side has not faced such problems, their season has not started off as they would have wanted. Everton have managed just one win in this season and are currently at the bottom half of the table with only six points. Though they will be
in better spirits compares to the visitors, having won their last fixture against Birmingham, the same week Liverpool stumbled to a defeat to lowly Blackpool at Anfield.
Team News
Everton will be without Marouane Fellaini, who suffered a hamstring injury while on international duty. The Belgium international suffered the injury in the mid week 2012 Euro qualifiers and will now be sidelined for up to six weeks. Phil Jagielka also suffered
an injury while on international duty, he strained his hamstring in training and will miss today’s important clash.
Steven Pienaar has still not returned from his groin injury and striker Louis Saha has been ruled out by Everton boss David Moyes because of a calf injury. Jack Rodwell and Ross Barkley are long term absentees; Rodwell has an ankle injury, which will keep
him out for the large part of this season, while Barkley, who was a benchwarmer for the last four games, broke his leg this week.
Fernando Torres has been declared fit for this derby, the Spain international suffered an adductor injury in the 2-1 defeat to Blackpool. Paul Konchesky and Fabio Aurelio also make a return, Konchesky has recovered from a hamstring strain and Aurelio has
triumphed over his Achilles problem and will most likely feature today.
However, centre half Daniel Agger is a big doubt as he picked up a back injury while on international duty in midweek for the 2012 Euro qualifiers. Dirk Kuyt also sustained an injury on international duty for Holland and will be out for at least three weeks.
Match Facts
The number of red cards in fixtures between Everton and Liverpool are more than any other fixture in the Premier League. So far the red card tally is 19.
Everton have only had a total of six yellow cards this season, fewer than any other Premier League side.
Everton have also made fewer tackles than any other side in the Premier League, 115.
This is Liverpool’s worst start to the season in years, in terms of points. The last time they had five points from seven games, in the 1953-54 season, they ended the season relegated.
The Reds have a better recent record against Everton; they have won five out of the last seven fixtures and lost none.
Possible starting XIs:
Everton: Tim Howard, Phil Neville, John Heitinga, Sylvain Distin, Leighton Baines, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Leon Osman, Mikel Arteta, Seamus Coleman, Tim Cahill, Yakubu.
Liverpool: Pepe Reina, Glen Johnson, Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel, Paul Konchesky, Raul Meireles, Christian Poulsen, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Maxi, Fernando Torres.
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