The final derby of the season for Liverpool as noisy neighbors Everton makes the short trip to Anfield on Wednesday.
Nearly two months after the first Merseyside derby of the season both teams come into this one with hopes of claiming an important victory for each of their campaigns.
Form:
Liverpool’s last five games (All Comps) – L, L, W, W, W.
Everton’s last five games (All Comps) – D, D, D, D, W.
Liverpool come into the game of the back of their worst week of the season.
Having been knocked out of the Champions League at home to PSG, the Reds then went on to put in a mediocre performance in the Carabao Cup final, where they lost to the deserving Newcastle United.
On the other hand, Everton enter the derby with spirits still as high as they were for the Goodison game.
Drawing four games in a row is not really an ideal way to come into a game like this, but, with the positive mindset David Moyes has instilled and the confidence they will have from their performance in the reverse fixture Everton players and fans alike will feel ready for the big game.
Liverpool Do’s and Do not’s
In the league, Liverpool sit atop the table having lost just one game all season, which came in September against Nottingham Forest.
The team has been close to perfect this season with both high- and low-quality wins, an important factor to winning league titles.
A more possession-controlling play style has allowed for a precise yet exciting way for the team to play, and this is the first do.
The team must make sure that they don’t fall into the trap which they did at Goodison Park, a frantic and fast opening to the match.
Allowing for the away fans in Anfield to get up and even louder will only hamper the LFC crowd and atmosphere.
Making sure that they control the play early on will allow for them to settle into the rhythm that we have seen all season long from Arne Slot’s men.
Another aspect of the game which Slot must do, is to make sure that the midfield is the best quality but also that the attack supports them.
We saw in the reverse fixture that even with Szobo and Gravenberch in the middle of the park, with their athletic abilities, Everton’s trio overran them.
So, for Slot looking at this, having Lucho on the wing rather than up top may allow for another man to help in the middle, having that extra man supporting the midfield may also allow space for Mo and the chosen striker on the day.
Everton’s Dangers
Since the return of David Moyes, the whole club has been lifted, with the return of positive football, the Evertonian’s have found another level of support for their club.
The main danger, I feel, was just highlighted, Moyes has instilled this belief that no matter the opposition, the team will be on the front foot, wanting to cause the oppositions defence problems.
We saw in the reverse fixture that Beto, Doucoure and Ndiaye all caused the LFC defence major problems.
Beto bulldozed his way into Konate and van Dijk all game, Doucoure seemed to have a third lung to keep himself going and Ndiaye’s technical ability caused the full backs all sort of problems until he, thankfully, went off injured.
Another problem that Everton cause isn’t even from the team itself. As mentioned on multiple occasions so far, the Everton fans really are something special when they get behind their team.
No matter what stadium they are in, if there is a reason to get loud and behind their team they will do it.
I say this is a problem because, as cliché as it sounds there support often translates onto the pitch, giving the Everton team that 12th man.
It will be a tightly contested and well fought match, but with the Anfield factor and the need for a bounce back, I just feel that there may be a big win for Liverpool needed and what will come to fruition.