Premier League preview: Everton v Liverpool
They play football on Merseyside too you know.
After a week of courtroom dramas, injunctions, counter injunctions and Dallas courtrooms, the Liverpool ownership soap opera is finally over and it’s time to focus on a local skirmish. It’s time to be less JR Ewing and more Jimmy Corkhill.
The 214th Merseyside derby may have been overshadowed by events off the pitch this week, but if New England Sports Ventures’ latest asset is to pull off a fourth successive victory at Goodison Park then they are going to have to play an awful lot better than they have been doing lately.
As if Everton and Liverpool weren’t close enough already, only the thin line that signifies the relegation zone separates them heading into the weekend, while if there is a winner in Saturday’s match between Wolves and West Ham it will mean that both teams line up on Sunday afternoon in the bottom three.
That has never happened before, and while NESV and John W Henry set about ensuring that it never happens again, it is time for those on the pitch to start playing their part.
“I am looking forward to it,” said Reds boss Roy Hodgson ahead of his first Merseyside derby, “it would've been nice if we could have been in a better position though.
“It's a bit unusual to see a derby with both teams down there but I'm pretty sure we'll see both teams in a better position for the next one. I suppose there is extra importance because both of us are desperately in need of points - but it would be nice if we could get them.”
Nice is an understatement.
With Liverpool languishing on just six points from seven matches, league victories have been as scarce as Tom Hicks and George Gillett’s friends this season, and here would be as good as place as any to find one, not that Everton will be happy to roll over, not with only three derby wins since 2004 at any rate. The Reds are about to feel the noise.
“It is always rocking at Goodison,” said Blues boss David Moyes.
“The Everton supporters realise we have got a good side. We know we haven’t got the results which we thought we would but we have a lot of belief it will come good before the end of the season.
“Liverpool supporters don’t say that they remember individual derbies because they have won more often. We have not and that’s why you can name individuals. I want it to become a regular occurrence.”
The Blues’ first league win of the season finally came at Birmingham City’s St Andrews’ last time out, and there will be no other opposition that they’d enjoy getting their second against than their neighbours.
Moyes has been dealt the blow of losing midfielder Marouane Fellaini with a hamstring injury, while Phil Jagielka will miss out with the injury that led to him having to pull out of the England squad.
In the Red corner, Fernando Torres has recovered from the thigh strain that forced him off against Blackpool, while Paul Konchesky is also fit again after injuring his hamstring. Dirk Kuyt – who scored in both wins over Everton last season – misses out with the second injury he’s suffered on international duty this season.
It’s been a momentous week for Liverpool, and while the takeover news will always be the most important story to emerge from it, Reds supporters would love nothing else than to end it with a win over their nearest neighbours – both geographically and in the Premier League table. With so much on the line though, a draw looks likely.
The derby will be fast, frenetic, furious and worth fighting for – just what football on Merseyside is all about.
Most weeks, anyway.
Prediction: Everton 1 Liverpool 1
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