The Merseyside derby is something of a unique match in European football. Called the friendly derby by some, it is one of the few matches that see opposition fans co-exist as friends and family, putting that above their attachment to a particular team.
That is not to say that there is a lack of passion involved or that either side is ambivalent to the result of the match, it just means that the local police can adopt a somewhat relaxed attitude to policing the match and that families can attend the stadium to enjoy the match.
Other than simply allowing their supporters to have bragging rights, however, the match carries significance at the top of the Premier League table as well.
Liverpool currently sit in fourth place and in a Champions League qualifying spot. Their position, though, is somewhat precarious as they have played two more matches than fifth placed Manchester United and sixth placed Arsenal. If they want to retain their position then a negative result against their neighbours needs to be avoided.
Everton, on the other hand, are just about still in touch with the race for fourth place, as they sit in seventh place and level on points with Arsenal.
Both sides, then, have a lot to play for going in to this lunchtime kick off at Anfield. Bragging rights for supporters are very real but even they come second to three points.
As always I have identified the tactical points that will be key to each side going in to this game…
Liverpool need to retain defensive solidity
Whilst under Jurgen Klopp in the German’s first full season, Liverpool have at times been irresistible going forwards, but they have also proved relatively porous at the back.
Everton pose a significant attacking threat with one of the best young strikers in Europe, Romelu Lukaku, in their ranks. The Belgian striker has 35 goals in 46 games this season over all competitions for both club and country and when on form, he can be all but impossible to defend against.
When you add in the central thrust of England International Ross Barkley and the pace that Everton can boast in the wide areas, then it becomes obvious that they pose a real threat to Liverpool when in their attacking phase.
At full strength the Liverpool back line is reasonably solid but defender Joel Matic can be exposed when challenged physically and Lukaku is adept at using his size and strength to pin defensive players in positions that make them uncomfortable.
This makes the role of the holding defender all the more important for his match. If Jordan Henderson is fit to play then his positioning in the defensive phase will be key. Not only will he have to provide cover for the central defenders as they try to negate the threat of Lukaku, but he will also have to position himself intelligently to cut off possible passing lanes to the Belgian striker.
This need to cover in the defensive phase may limit the amount that Henderson can contribute in the attacking phase but it will prove crucial in the outcome of the match,
Everton need to dominate the midfield
The side from the blue half of Merseyside have quietly gone about building one of the most impressive midfield units in the Premier League.
Before the season started the club moved to secure the signature of Senegalese international Idrissa Gueye from relegated Aston Villa. In any season not dominated by the presence of N’Golo Kante the statistical output that Gueye generated in his first season in England would have shone and earned him a move to an elite club.
Everton were smart enough to identify that the relegation of Aston Villa had masked the performances of Gueye and since moving to Merseyside, the midfielder has been one of the league’s best performers.
To add to Gueye, Everton then moved in the winter transfer window to sign the French midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin from Manchester United for a fee reportedly rising to £24million.
The use if Schneiderlin and Gueye as a double pivot at the base of the midfield allows Ross Barkley to drift in to advanced areas of the field and makes it extremely difficult for the opposition to play through them.
In this match the pace that Liverpool have in the final third with Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino means that Everton need to dictate the tempo and control the game to prevent Liverpool from accessing their final third.
With Gueye and Schneiderlin Everton at least have a midfield two that can rival Wijnaldum and Lallana for quality. I expect that the battle for the centre of the field will be the deciding factor in the game.
Conclusion
This match should be a typically tight derby match. While both sides have struggled to retain their consistency at times this season, they have also played well enough to still be competing at the top of the table at this late stage of the season.
When passions subside and the match settles in to a pattern we should see a battle for control of the tempo. Liverpool will look to pull Everton in to a fast paced game hoping to capitalise on their strength in transition. Everton, on the other hand, prefer a more methodical build up before accessing the final third and finding the Belgian international Romelu Lukaku.
The battle of supremacy will be an intriguing one. Which side will come out on top though is anyone’s guess.
