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Premier League Preview: Liverpool - Everton
Rival revivals collide on derby day...
5 Feb 2010 05:06:00
By Mick Maguire
Kick-off: Saturday, February 6, 2010 - 12:45 BST
Anfield, Merseyside
Liverpool will play host to Everton this weekend in the 213th edition of one of football's great fixtures: the Merseyside derby.
Unlike last season, when the Reds were right in the hunt for a maiden Premier League title and the Blues were knocking on the door of the top four, this time around the Scouse rivals are both looking to make up ground after a fairly dismal first half of the 2009-10 campaign.
Liverpool's win over Bolton Wanderers last weekend stretched their unbeaten run to six games, and yet they still find themselves a point outside the Champions League places.
Everton sit some way back in ninth place but their recent form is even more impressive than that of their neighbours, as they have not lost in the league since November.
It just so happens that Rafael Benitez's men were the last team to take all three points off the Toffees in top-flight play, with goals from Dirk Kuyt and Javier Mascherano giving the 18-time English champions a 2-0 win at Goodison Park.
The odds are stacked firmly against David Moyes' mob returning the favour this Saturday, as they have not won a league game at Anfield since 1999.
FORM GUIDE
Liverpool
Jan 30: Liverpool 2-0 Bolton Wanderers
Jan 26: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-0 Liverpool
Jan 20: Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Jan 16: Stoke City 1-1 Liverpool
Jan 13: Liverpool 1-2 Reading (FA Cup)
Everton
Jan 30: Wigan Athletic 0-1 Everton
Jan 27: Everton 2-0 Sunderland
Jan 23: Everton 1-2 Birmingham City (FA Cup)
Jan 16: Everton 2-0 Manchester City
Jan 9: Arsenal 2-2 Everton
TEAM NEWS
Liverpool
Steven Gerrard is back in action for the Reds, but both Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun - who continues to be linked with a move to Russia - remain sidelined.
Danish defender Daniel Agger has returned to training and could make the matchday squad, while full-backs Glen Johnson and Fabio Aurelio are still out of commission.
Last starting XI (vs. Bolton Wanderers): Reina, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Insua, Mascherano, Aquilani, Kuyt, Gerrard, Riera, Ngog.
Everton
Nigerian pair Joseph Yobo and Yakubu are back from the African Cup of Nations, with both having a chance to make the starting XI - particularly the latter, after Louis Saha limped off at Wigan.
Jack Rodwell and long-term absentee Mikel Arteta are also pushing to prove their fitness.
Last starting XI (vs. Wigan Athletic): Howard, Neville, Senderos, Heitinga, Baines, Osman, Fellaini, Cahill, Pienaar, Donovan, Saha.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Liverpool - Steven Gerrard
The skipper looked something like his usual self last weekend, mixing deft link-up play with barnstorming attacks despite the close attentions of Fabrice 'The Monster' Muamba. What better way to confirm a return to form and fitness than with a match-winning display against your oldest foes?
Everton - Tim Cahill
The little Aussie battler is another who has drawn some stinging criticism this season, but it's only taken a couple of trademark headers to hush up the naysayers. Undoubtedly one of the Premier League's very best goalscoring midfielders, Cahill will be aiming to make it three strikes in as many games this Saturday.
PREDICTION
Liverpool 1-1 Everton
Anfield, Merseyside
Liverpool will play host to Everton this weekend in the 213th edition of one of football's great fixtures: the Merseyside derby.
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Unlike last season, when the Reds were right in the hunt for a maiden Premier League title and the Blues were knocking on the door of the top four, this time around the Scouse rivals are both looking to make up ground after a fairly dismal first half of the 2009-10 campaign.
Liverpool's win over Bolton Wanderers last weekend stretched their unbeaten run to six games, and yet they still find themselves a point outside the Champions League places.
Everton sit some way back in ninth place but their recent form is even more impressive than that of their neighbours, as they have not lost in the league since November.
It just so happens that Rafael Benitez's men were the last team to take all three points off the Toffees in top-flight play, with goals from Dirk Kuyt and Javier Mascherano giving the 18-time English champions a 2-0 win at Goodison Park.
The odds are stacked firmly against David Moyes' mob returning the favour this Saturday, as they have not won a league game at Anfield since 1999.
FORM GUIDE
Liverpool
Jan 30: Liverpool 2-0 Bolton Wanderers
Jan 26: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-0 Liverpool
Jan 20: Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Jan 16: Stoke City 1-1 Liverpool
Jan 13: Liverpool 1-2 Reading (FA Cup)
Everton
Jan 30: Wigan Athletic 0-1 Everton
Jan 27: Everton 2-0 Sunderland
Jan 23: Everton 1-2 Birmingham City (FA Cup)
Jan 16: Everton 2-0 Manchester City
Jan 9: Arsenal 2-2 Everton
TEAM NEWS
Liverpool
Steven Gerrard is back in action for the Reds, but both Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun - who continues to be linked with a move to Russia - remain sidelined.
Danish defender Daniel Agger has returned to training and could make the matchday squad, while full-backs Glen Johnson and Fabio Aurelio are still out of commission.
Last starting XI (vs. Bolton Wanderers): Reina, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Insua, Mascherano, Aquilani, Kuyt, Gerrard, Riera, Ngog.
Everton
Nigerian pair Joseph Yobo and Yakubu are back from the African Cup of Nations, with both having a chance to make the starting XI - particularly the latter, after Louis Saha limped off at Wigan.
Jack Rodwell and long-term absentee Mikel Arteta are also pushing to prove their fitness.
Last starting XI (vs. Wigan Athletic): Howard, Neville, Senderos, Heitinga, Baines, Osman, Fellaini, Cahill, Pienaar, Donovan, Saha.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Liverpool - Steven Gerrard
The skipper looked something like his usual self last weekend, mixing deft link-up play with barnstorming attacks despite the close attentions of Fabrice 'The Monster' Muamba. What better way to confirm a return to form and fitness than with a match-winning display against your oldest foes?
Everton - Tim Cahill
The little Aussie battler is another who has drawn some stinging criticism this season, but it's only taken a couple of trademark headers to hush up the naysayers. Undoubtedly one of the Premier League's very best goalscoring midfielders, Cahill will be aiming to make it three strikes in as many games this Saturday.
PREDICTION
Liverpool 1-1 Everton
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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