Few would have expected that Liverpool would be 14 points behind the league leaders and Everton 9 points off of a European spot at this stage of the season but both Merseyside clubs have suffered from highly disappointing campaigns. However, both clubs’ have begun to hit form which sets us up for another great Merseyside derby.

I never really enjoyed playing in these games as a player as they were literally played at hundred miles an hour, there was no time on the ball and it was just a frantic battle. This match promises to be just that with both sides looking to extend their current unbeaten league runs as well as win the local bragging rights. It has been all doom and gloom on Merseyside this season with Liverpool exiting the Champions League, the behind the scene problems and not able to mount a title challenge while Everton were hit by both injury, the new stadium plans being blocked and the impact of Joleon Lescott’s departure to Man City. Despite this, the signs suggest both teams have recovered from their poor starts and are now on the up.

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last six league matches (four wins) and have kept five clean-sheets in that run. Everton are unbeaten in their last nine league games since losing 2-0 in the last Merseyside derby. They have won four of their last five including clean-sheets in the last three games. Therefore, both of these teams should be confident and going all out for a win.

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Rafa Benitez and David Moyes have gone back to basics defensively with their teams as both were uncharacteristically shipping goals in the first half of the season. With a stronger defensive platform both sides have picked up some impressive results of laste. Everton in particular have picked up points at both Stamford Bridge and the Emirates although they really should have beaten Arsenal. However, their record at Anfield in recent seasons has not been good.

The Toffees have not won there since September 1999. Kevin Campbell scored the only goal in a match marred by three sending offs, two for Liverpool. The respective managers were Gerard Houllier and Walter Smith. None of the victorious Everton team that day remain with the club, Liverpool have two survivors Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard. Stevie was one of the Reds players dismissed that day despite coming on as substitute. Funnily enough Eiffel 65 were number with the apt song ‘Blue’ (Da Ba Dee). Red cards have been the norm in this fixture with 17 dished out, the most of any fixture in Premier League history.

The Blues have not won any of their last nine league trips to Anfield but they have drawn on five occasions including a 1-1 draw last season. This match should be just as tight and hard fought although I still expect Liverpool to edge it.
Defensively both teams have improved but although Liverpool haven’t reached the heights of last season, they have still have a decent home record including four straight wins with two goals scored in each victory.

The Reds players proved against Tottenham last month that they are up for a battle and although Everton have dangerous players of their own in Tim Cahill, Landon Donovan, Steven Pienaar and Louis Saha, I expect the home side to just edge this one. With a £30,000 Premier 10 jackpot up for grabs, this may be a match to cover your options but for me, the home crowd will have a positive impact on the Liverpool players, so I am going for a home win.

Tags: Alan Hansen, Everton, Football Pools, Liverpool, Premier 10, Premier League

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