Everton v Liverpool match thread

[Guest]

The most important thing in football is skill and the ability to pass the ball at pace and move. Pace is fantastic if allied to these qualities, but it's not every one that have these attributes in abundance. Babel has plenty of pace but does seem to lack certain technical qualities.

Everton will be defending deep, and their pitch is not the largest. I don't think Rafa is clueless because he hasn't selected Babel or Pennant and his hand's been forced through injury with Torres and Xabi not being able to take part.

[JohnDoe]

Benayoun is our key player today. We need him playing well, he's crucial.

[Jayesh87]

Markus Babbel what a hero

I wish Gay Mac was playing

[Armchairkopite]

DRAW and unders

[Jayesh87]

Benayoun is our key player today. We need him playing well, he's crucial.

Shame he is an average player at best imo.

[Morph]

We have a bench that has good impact players. Babel - Pace, Pennant - Crossong ability and Crouch - Height so I think Rafa has his tactics spot on for today's game. This game could go to the wire and it wouldn't surprise me if one of our substitutions helped us win the game today!!

we have a bench with good players, so good in fact that they should be on the pitch

[Lee]

Babbel interview on Sky a minute ago. What a top, top guy, and one of the best DF's in his day too

Babbel

[AFII]

We have a bench that has good impact players. Babel - Pace, Pennant - Crossong ability and Crouch - Height so I think Rafa has his tactics spot on for today's game. This game could go to the wire and it wouldn't surprise me if one of our substitutions helped us win the game today!!

I can't agree with that Rafa got his tactics spot on. He is again playing to our opponents strength. He should play our most skillful players and make Everton chase the game.

Now it will be a battle just what Moyes want it to be.

[JPK]

Not happy with the team again but Kuyt will score a brace today.
I can feel it

[Parm]

TORRES OUT OF MERSEYSIDE DERBY

Jimmy Rice 20 October 2007

Fernando Torres misses out on this afternoon's Merseyside derby at Goodison, with Andriy Voronin partnering Dirk Kuyt up front for Liverpool.

Neither Torres or Xabi Alonso are in the squad to face Everton at 12.45pm despite hopes earlier in the week they might be fit.

The team in full is: Reina, Riise, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Benayoun, Mascherano, Gerrard, Sissoko, Voronin, Kuyt. Subs: Itandje, Crouch, Pennant, Babel, Lucas.

fair enough, no point risking them for this game if it means they will pick up another injury. We should have enough quality to beat the blue****e.

[bogsdollocks]

Apparently babel isn't starting as he's still in bed. They're waking him up just before halftime to dress him and get him ready for the second half. Ahhh bless !!

[Parm]

If Torres is injured then we must rely on other players and I don't think pace will be an issue here. It's going to be a battle out there, and if we win the second balls and press them in their half and pass it properly, we'll win as we won't be relying on the counter attack. That's the idea.

Pace is great when we need to play on the counter and against teams such as Manure / Arsenal away, where we won't see a lot of the ball. Everton will not pass us off.

[Jayesh87]

A Liverpool and Indian win today, innit Parm

[blacky]

I can't agree with that Rafa got his tactics spot on. He is again playing to our opponents strength. He should play our most skillful players and make Everton chase the game.

Now it will be a battle just what Moyes want it to be.

Have to disagree AF11. Our strengths under Rafa have been a watertight defence and a battling midfield that can press any team into submission. He has tried to bring flair and creativity into the team more this season and by his own admission this tactic has not worked to date so it is back to basics!! There has been no evidence so far this season that Pennant, Babel or Crouch could make or break this type of game.

[tommyg]

Kewell??