On Sky
Its finally here. Derby Day. Quite possibly the most highly anticipated merseyside clash in years. Everton go into the game very much on a high after back to back wins over Spurs and Scunthorpe in the FA Cup. Whilst Liverpool are pinning their hopes on the second coming of club hero ‘King Kenny’. With both sides missing some key players the scene is set for the making of a new cult hero for either side. This game has all the makings of an absolute classic.
Vital Quotes: MOYES
MOYES ON DERBY DISCIPLINE:
“You always stress discipline but if there are tackles there to be won you have to win them. Now and again they will be mistimed and then it is up to the referee to deal with it – but you are not going to ask players not to be committed’
MOYES ON THE ABSENCE OF GERRARD:
‘Of course I am (pleased he is not playing) – who wouldn`t be? He is an outstanding player. I have always said if I was picking a team Steve Gerrard would be one of my first picks of all the players in England. I am delighted he is not playing’
MOYES ON KENNY:
“If Kenny was playing I would be worried.What a terrific player he was and a player I admired a lot. He is also a terrific manager – look at the stuff he has won. It looks like a good fit for Liverpool and certainly Kenny is someone I have admired’
Liverpool Team News:
The Kopites will be without Captain Steven Gerrard through suspension after his reckless lunge during their clash against Man U in the FA Cup third round.
Carragher is also out with a shoulder injury that could keep him out for a further month.
Transfer flop Joe Cole has recovered from an ankle injury and could be handed a start. Aurelio should return to the starting line up after sitting out the humiliating double at the hands of newly promoted Blackpool.
POSSIBLE XI; : Reina, Kelly, Agger, Skrtel, Johnson, Kuyt, Lucas, Meireles, Maxi, Ngog, Torres
Player to watch: Kuyt
Always seems to pop up with a goal or two against Everton so will be keen to see how he gets on after a up to now poor season in the Liverpool midfield. Will also be interesting to see if his face is reunited with the laces on Fellaini’s right boot tommorrow afternoon.
Everton Team News:
Everton will be without Jagielka again tomorrow and Heitinga is first choice to fill in for the England international.
Cahill is still away on international duty so natually he is unavailable.
Steven Pienaar is set to make his final start in the blue of Everton as his transfer to Spurs heads towards its conclusion.
David Moyes has no new injury concerns to contend with but it will be interesting to see if he sticks with the 4-4-2 formation that served us so well of late.
POSSIBLE XI; Howard, Neville, Distin, Jagielka, Baines, Fellaini, Arteta, Coleman, Pienaar, Saha , Beckford.
Player to watch: Pienaar
Possibly his last game for Everton. I would like to think he would want to leave on a high note after a enjoyable spell with us. The scene is set for the little South African to give Everton supporters the best leaving present of all.
Match Facts & Stats
Everton are looking for their first double over Liverpool since the 1984/85 campaign – Kenny Dalglish played for the Reds in both 1-0 defeats that season.
The last four league meetings at Anfield have produced just four goals in total
Liverpool have lost four of their last five Premier League matches. They have lost 10 matches this season, their most defeats at this stage of a top-flight season for 57 years – that season, they were relegated.
Everton have lost just three of their 11 Premier League away matches this season – only Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City have lost fewer
The Toffees have drawn 10 games in this season’s Premier League, the joint-highest tally
Everton have been awarded one penalty at Anfield in the last 73 years – Wayne Clarke scored it in December 1988
Leighton Baines has seven Premier League assists this season, more than any other defender
Ref Watch:
Phil Dowd will police the Derby tommorrow and will doubt throw his cards around a bit in the opening exchanges.
Match Prediction:
Obviously I am biased to the mighty Everton so I will let my prediction reflect that bias. A 3-0 thumping in Everton’s favour is my prediction for the Derby with Saha, Becks and Pienaar on the scoresheet. The Kopites can brown-nose the so called King all they like but there is very little any manager can do with a bunch of mediocre misfits that he has found himself stuck with. The King is dead …. Long live Rafa and Hodgson COYB