Merseyside Derby at Anfield : Preview

The Merseyside Derby has always been a big game in English football, two big sides who are from the same city but only a mile separates their stadiums. This rivalry goes back to the start of English football, first playing in 1894, with a 3-0 win for the Evertonians, this city is built upon football, the city population live and breath football and this gives this rivalry a great sense of do or die for their teams, this game is one of the biggest games of the season for the fans; very much so for the Evertonians.

Going into the new decade, it has been a dire time for the Everton fans when it comes to this Derby, only winning against their rivals once in the last decade, back in 2010 at home to the Reds, For a team who's won League titles and have been a big club in England throughout English football, this record is just not good enough for a club of their size and must be an awful feeling for their fans. Furthermore, their record at Anfield is even worse, not winning at their rivals stadium in the league since 1999, over twenty years ago now, which must be very painful for Evertonians. It;s pretty safe to say that Everton have been in Liverpool's shadow for some time, recent history doesn't present a good picture for them and if we bring it to this season, it's been a long time since these two teams have been so far apart in a sense of where their clubs are in comparison to each other. Liverpool are very much at the top of their game, one of the best managers in world football at their club, 7 nominees for Ballon d'Or and top of the league, being unbeaten so far this season. Whereas, when you look at Everton, they are on the brink of sacking their manager, they currently sit 17th in the league, two points above relegation places and are just in a time of turmoil for the club. This would make you think that Liverpool will completely roll over Everton today but in a Derby this is not the case, form goes out the window, its more about who wants it more, you need to give everything in these games and this is something Jurgen Klopp very much demands in his players. One player who knows what this game means to the fans in the teams is Jordan Henderson, he has been at the club since 2011 and been part of 18 Merseyside derbies, he knows how much this game means to the reds and you can see how much it means to him these days, he has become one of the Liverpool faithful and wants to win this game just as much as the fans; this is so crucial for Liverpool and is one reason why he is always one of the first names on the team sheet for Liverpool.

If we look at the game today, being at Anfield this gives Liverpool a certain edge already over their rivals, the record speaks for itself and always seems to put a lot of pressure on Everton, even before the game starts. Both teams have injury issues, Alisson suspended for Liverpool, Fabinho, Matip also missing through injury, three key men for Liverpool which will have a big influence on this game today. Everton also have some key players missing, Andre Gomes, Cuco Martina, Jean-Philipp Gbamin and Seamus Coleman all out injured but they could have Theo Walcott today returning from injury. Seamus Coleman being a massive miss for Everton, a real veteran for Everton and like Henderson, knows all about this game and how its going to be in that stadium. From this we can see that both teams have key men missing and it gives the game a sense mystery, how will it unfold without these players missing?

Being at Anfield, if you were a betting fan you would put your money on Liverpool win, especially when you consider where both sides are at in the league, but personally i wouldn't rule Everton out; a recent impressive performance against Leicester, not winning the game but a much better performance over recent games and a sense of fight in the team which could be crucial for them today.

Key players: Liverpool - Mane, Salah, Firmino, Virgil Van Dijk, Trent, Robertson

Everton - Richarlison, Sigurdsson, Digne and Pickford

For me the game will be won by the front three of each side, Mane, Salah, Firmino being arguably the best front three in the world, then Richarlison, Iwobi and potentially Walcott also being a potent front three. The quality of these players will be a decisive factor in this game, if any of Liverpool's front three turn it on, the game could quickly get away from Everton before they even get started. In another sense this game will be big for both set of fullbacks, both are very front footed thinking, bombing forward and getting crosses in whenever they have the chance. This will be a crucial part of this game, whoever manages to utilise their fullbacks more will gain an advantage in this game and especially Liverpool with a high percentage of their chances come from their fullbacks.

Everton played three at the back in their last game against Leicester and this is could be huge for Liverpool if they play this formation, I wouldn't wish it on any 3 CB's to be left to play against that front three Liverpool have, there could be a huge amount of space in the channels for Salah & Mane or in behind their defence, if they manage to exploit this it could be a tough night for Everton. On the other hand, with this setup, it allows Digne and Sidibe a real freedom in their attacking game, which could force both Liverpool's wingers further back the pitch and suffocate their attacking output. It will be a really intriguing game from many senses, there are a number of battles that will decide this game, fullback against winger being a big one for me.

The last four games of this fixture hasn't be big scoring games, 3 draws and one Liverpool win in these games, the win only being 1-0, two 0-0's and one 1-1, so only 3 goals in four games from both sides in these last 4 derbies, I think we are due a real goal thriller soon and with the positions of both clubs, I feel it could be from tonight or at Goodison park this season.

Could be a very decisive night for Everton tonight, a Liverpool win could mean the ending of Silva's tenure at Goodison park and see Everton slip into relegation zone if results go against them. It hasn't been the best of games in recent years but a real derby in English football and a great night for Premier league football fans.

Who will come out on top? Jurgen vs Marco, be ready at 8:15 pm tonight to watch this historic game.