Liverpool must beat Everton – a win will silence critics

Liverpool play Everton on Saturday.

The Reds will be seeking to find winning form at Goodison Park, and in doing so, erasing the painful thrashing from their last outing a fortnight ago at Villa Park.

Much has been said and written of the dismal, abysmal showing in that record setting 7-2 loss in Birmingham. Was this a one off or just a symptom of a growing problem at the back?

These questions and several others will be addressed by these Reds against a first place Everton side in good form under Carlo Ancelotti.

Everton strengthened superbly in the transfer the transfer window, with the addition of James Rodriguez in midfield the most notable.

Jurgen Klopp and the Redmen got a boost this week with the return of Thiago Alcantara and Sadio Mane from COVID isolation and the return to training of Joel Matip from injury.

The status of Naby Keita is a question mark after he tested positive for COVID while on international break. A rumor of a false positive, with a more recent negative test is yet to be confirmed by the club.

All eyes will certainly be on Adrian in goal, as he will be called upon to fill in for an injured Allison Becker. Across the rest of the Reds usual starting line-up, there are no current issues or injuries to report.

While Adrian performed admirably last autumn in place of the injured Allison, the drubbing at the feet of Dean Smith’s Villa has caused some concern over his long term fitness to fill in as second keeper. This will be his chance to shine and silence the doubters.

Keep an eye out for the psychobabble battle from Richarlison as to Virgil van Dijk’s bonafides at center back. We all remember the trash talking last campaign from the outspoken striker from Everton. This could be a very intense battle between the two to be sure.

While it may be a bit early in the season to say this is a ‘must win’ season defining match, it is a must win season defining match for Liverpool and these Reds. Dropping points here, or in the worst case scenario, a loss, will further erode confidence in the side and in Adrian’s ability to stand up to the pressure he so aptly breezed through last campaign.

A clean sheet would go a long way to silence critics and doubters at this point. A poor showing will only fuel the fires of ridicule aimed at him after that shellacking at Villa Park.

I look for Jordan Henderson to return to this tie after some solid football with England during the international break. He has been nursing an injury and has only seen two run outs in the opening fixtures of this campaign. His leadership and solid defensive and forward thrusts on offense have been sorely missed.