After a disappointing and embarrassing outing against Manchester City last weekend, Everton are now pumped up for their clash against Liverpool this weekend. In what is a weekend of derbies, Liverpool travel to Goodison Park, just days after beating Manchester City in the QF of the Champions League, for one of the most awaited derbies in English football – The Merseyside Derby. They face City on Tuesday next week and might be tempted to rest a few players in this tie, though.
The derby is not a game Liverpool will want to lose but Everton, who have won three of their last six games, will be quietly confident of a result this weekend. Their trip to Anfield in the reverse fixture saw them take a point off Liverpool and Sam Allardyce will believe that his side can better that result. A win in this game will cement their place in the top half of the table and though Everton have nothing much to play for, for the rest of the season, this game remains a clash that they will want to win at any cost. Here is the predicted lineup Allardyce might field for this tie:
Team News:
In early team news, the Toffees are still without the services of Maarten Stekelenburg, Eliaquim Mangala, Mason Holgate, James McCarthy and Gylfi Sigurdsson, all of who are all but ruled out for the rest of the season. Idrissa Gueye missed the game against Manchester City and though is back in training, will undergo a late fitness test before this game.
Expected lineup (4-2-3-1):
Defence:
Jordan Pickford has been one of the most consistent players for Everton but will surely be tested regularly in the Merseyside derby. Ashley Williams has lost his place in the first team recently and might not be called upon for this crunch game. Allardyce is expected to stick with Michael Keane and Phil Jagielka for this weekend.
Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman are both fully fit and will be crucial for Everton’s chances of keeping the Liverpool attack at bay.
Midfield:
With Gueye not fully fit, Allardyce has used Wayne Rooney as a part of the midfield but cannot take that risk against the Reds. He is expected to use Tom Davies and Morgan Schneiderlin, adding some mettle and cover to the backline.
Attack:
Rooney was subbed off in that game against City and should be back in action this weekend, but this time in a no.10 role. Cenk Tousk has turned into Everton’s first choice striker and should lead the attack while Theo Walcott and Yannick Bolasie, who got the only Everton goal against City, will start on either flank.
Here is how they might line up:
