Liverpool prepare for one of the most important games of the season on Tuesday evening as Everton make the short trip across Stanley Park to face the Reds at Anfield. Liverpool of course haven't been playing brilliantly recently, despite progressing to the next stage of the FA Cup their performance was a bit lacklustre and their recent draw with Aston Villa was hardly any better. Brendan will be hoping to get back into the swing of things with an emphatic win over bitter rivals Everton.
Liverpool still have some injury worries to contend with as the likes of Lucas Leiva, Glen Johnson, Daniel Agger and Mamadou Sakho are all unfit. There is also a doubt hanging over Joe Allen and so Brendan Rodgers may have to do some shuffling in order to field a strong and balanced side on Tuesday night.
For Everton they lost Oviedo after a nasty, nasty injury in their FA Cup tie this weekend. They are also without Distin and Barkley. Doubts also hang over Coleman and Pienaar and so Roberto Martinez is also facing a few problems deciding on a starting line up.
Liverpool currently find themselves 4th in the league on 43 points with Everton underneath them in 6th on 42 points. A win for the Toffees would obviously see them leap frog Liverpool, perhaps adding some more incentive for the Reds who will be desperate not to lose at home to the blue half.
Both teams drew in their last two league outings, the Reds recording a 2-2 with Villa whilst Everton ended level at 1-1 with West Brom. Liverpool have lost two of their last six league games whilst Everton have only lost one. It is worth noting though that the Reds fell to Chelsea and Manchester City away from home whilst Everton lost to Sunderland at Goodison Park.
This is one of those game though where it doesn't matter how many stats and facts get thrown at you, it will have no bearing whatsoever on the game. Form. Window. Out. Of.
Despite this I'll still provide you with a few more stats, suppose that's what I'm here for...
The last time the two sides met was of course in November last year. The enthralling 3-3 thriller was exciting for fans of both the Red and Blue side of Liverpool and an 89th minute equaliser from Daniel Sturridge brought great relief to thousands of Kopites.
On Everton's last trip to Anfield in May 2013 the game was quite low key for a Merseyside Derby with neither side scoring and nobody getting sent off.
Stat Sandwich
- Liverpool have not lost a Merseyside derby at Anfield in the league since 1999.
- Everton have conceded only 11 goals on their travels in the league a joint best with Chelsea so far this season.
- 64% of Liverpool's goals this season have been scored in the first half.
I haven't quite decided what all of my bets are going to be yet for tomorrow but you can guarantee I'll have a quid on Suarez and 2-1 as I always do. Liverpool can't afford to play like they did against Bournemouth and Villa in this game because they will be punished by a confident Everton side.
The extra element and pressure/adrenaline of it being a Merseyside derby usually adds enough spark into the system to sort out any dodgy performance but it will be interesting to see how the Reds start the game on Tuesday evening as I think we will all be able to make a much better prediction by the 15 minute mark.
Wherever you are watching, enjoy the match folks!