The three points were the main concern on the back of two league defeats, the side playing with plenty of creativity and the in-form Luis Suarez sparkling again. Although most will have been happy with the win, there were a couple of factors that are still a little worrying going into a tough game away to in-form local rivals Everton. The side is creating plenty of opportunities, however the scoreline more often than not is not reflecting the dominance shown. Couple this with lapses of concentration at the back and a side which based its attack on a tight defence in the past, now defensive frailties becoming evident, are giving opponents ways back into games that should be dead and buried.
With this in mind, Kenny will have to pick a side today that he feels can come away from Goodison Park with all three points in the bag. With Andy Carroll struggling to replicate the form he showed in the North East for his former suitors, who plays up front is probably the most contested discussion going into this game. After seeing how well Suarez, Bellamy and Kuyt linked up against Brighton, the question arises whether the fiery Welshman is the right man for the job today. If Kenny does opt for this trio, the likely combination being Bellamy and Suarez up front with Kuyt playing on the right flank. Downing would then slot into the left midfield position, with a central midfield three of Lucas, Adam and Gerrard.
Many will question where the influential leader should be included in the starting line up so soon after long term injury. The bottom line is if Steven Gerrard is fit enough to start for Liverpool, he should be the first name down on the teamsheet. The team has not seemed to miss their leader as much as in past times, mainly due to the additional attacking flair that has been added with purchases made since King Kenny took up the reigns of the club again. Any club would love to have a fully fit Steven Gerrard in their armoury and many Liverpool fans can’t wait to see him link up with a certain Uraguayan. The two having only played in the same side as one another twice before. In the past such a long term injury would have crippled Liverpool, this time not so much due to the wealth of attacking talent the club now has.
A Merseyside derby is going to be new to most of the players, which to me makes it more integral to have Gerrard and Carragher in the starting line up. The team needs to show passion from the first whistle as against Stoke with plenty of passing and moving but more importantly we need to win not only the first ball but second ball also. When possession is lost we need to hassle and close down our opponents and look to get that ball back as soon as possible. With Enrique, Kelly, Skrtel and Carragher set to start in defence it will be an important game for Jamie Carragher. Out of form this season and making some uncharacteristic errors, this game will be as much of a test for the Liverpool stalwart as his first for the club was.
There are a lot of players with points to prove for many different reasons, it will be a battle of wits between Moyes and Dalglish and with Everton in a rich vein of form this game could prove pivotal to whichever side does win it. Liverpool fans look forward to the optimistic banter of Toffee’s fans but hope that by the end of 90 mins, by hook or by crook, normal order is resumed with Kenny’s men sat soundly above their local rivals with bragging rights going to the men from Anfield.
