The Premier League season hasn't started as either of the Merseyside clubs would have hoped. Liverpool -- last year's English runners-up -- head into this derby having won lost three of their last four games, and they're already cut seven points adrift of league leaders Chelsea. Their rivals Everton, meanwhile, have won only once all season, and have dropped points to Crystal Palace and Leicester City.
Liverpool vs. Everton preview: Can either of the Merseyside clubs kick-start their season?
Liverpool and Everton have both started the season underwhelmingly, though they’ll be hoping a win in the Merseyside derby will set them on the right track.
Chris Brunskill
All that makes Saturday’s clash at Anfield all the more important, as these teams go in search of the victory that will kick-start their season. Recent history is certainly on Liverpool’s side -- they’ve not lost to their cross-town rivals in any competition in almost four years, and it’s almost 15 years to the day since the Toffees last won away at the Anfield cauldron.
It’s a mammoth task for Roberto Martínez’s side, though with Liverpool currently looking pretty out-of-sorts, now’s as good a time as any to try and rewrite the history books.
Team news
Liverpool will still certainly be without midfielders Emre Can and Joe Allen with ankle and knee problems respectively, while injuries to full-backs Glen Johnson and Jon Flanagan mean Alberto Moreno and Javier Manquillo should comfortably retain their starting spots. However, Brendan Rodgers will be hoping to have Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho back from their respective injury woes.
Roberto Martínez will be without Ross Barkley, who is still out with a knee problem, though Séamus Coleman and Steven Pienaar could shake off knocks to be involved.
Projected lineups (left to right)
Liverpool (4-3-1-2): Simon Mignolet; Alberto Moreno, Dejan Lovren, Martin Skrtel, Javier Manquillo; Adam Lallana, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson; Raheem Sterling; Mario Balotelli, Daniel Sturridge.
Everton (4-2-3-1): Tim Howard; Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka, Sylvain Distin, Séamus Coleman; Gareth Barry, James McCarthy; Aiden McGeady, Steven Naismith, Kevin Mirallas; Romelu Lukaku.
Key Questions
Can Romelu Lukaku find his best form? - Romelu Lukaku became Everton's record signing when he joined from Chelsea for £28 million in the summer, though he's not found his best form since. The 21-year-old netted 15 times last season, though has scored just twice in his five Premier League starts so far this campaign. For any ordinary striker, that wouldn't be so bad, but considering Everton's reliance on Lukaku up top, they could do with him finding his best form again.
Will Brendan Rodgers stick with Dejan Lovren? - Lukaku would certainly be given a boost if Liverpool elect to start Dejan Lovren in defence. The £20 million summer signing from Liverpool has been terrible since joining the Reds, with his string of defensive errors contributing to their current predicament. There’s no doubt that his performances will improve -- it’s pretty much impossible to imagine them getting any worse -- but whether Rodgers will risk another blunder in the Merseyside derby remains to be seen.
Can Everton exploit Liverpool's left? - One area that Everton could look to exploit on the counter-attack is their right flank. Manager Roberto Martínez could either play Kevin Mirallas or Chelsea loanee Christian Atsu in this position, and both could thrive in the space vacated by Liverpool's attack-minded full-back Alberto Moreno. He may be impressive going forward, though defensively the Spaniard is still highly suspect. Don't be surprised if the Toffees try and channel quick passes down his flank.
Prediction
Both of these sides have made pretty underwhelming starts to the season, and it wouldn’t be surprising if their clash was a cagey one. 1-1.
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