[PL] LFC v The Peoples Club - Wed 8pm KO

[Yozza]

V



20:00 Wed 20th Apr 2016

Location: Anfield

The best place to follow all of the build-up to the 226th Merseyside derby - Jürgen Klopp's first - is right here with our own ESt match thread....

[SB]

So I'd expect pretty much a full strength side for the Derby. Can't give them any joy in this.

Mig
Clyne
Lovren
Sakho
Moreno
Allen
Milner
Lallana
Coutinho
Firmino
Origi (or Sturridge if he's unfit)

[redmike65]

Everton have a defender crisis (yes John Stones might start! ) and are clearly thinking about the FA Cup semi final at the weekend. You'd hope for a stronger side in the middle and defence but maybe just keeping a couple of big guns on the bench.

[BubbaZanetti]

Guardian podcast said that Tony Hibbert may well be drafted in for his first appearance in two years

[Yozza]

Adam Lallana: I want my first win over Everton - and we're ready for it

Adam Lallana is desperate to taste success in a Merseyside derby for the first time - and believes Wednesday night's meeting provides the perfect opportunity to do so.

Liverpool are in fine form heading into their latest contest with Everton, having won three games on the bounce in all competitions.

But ever since Lallana joined the Reds in the summer of 2014, the three clashes against the Toffees have all ended with the points shared.

His first derby was particularly frustrating for the midfielder as Phil Jagielka scored a long-range equaliser in stoppage-time to deny Liverpool at Anfield last season.

"I couldn't quite believe it," Lallana told Liverpoolfc.com. "Having known Jags from England as well, it was surprising to see him that far up the pitch!

"It's been disappointing [that] we've drawn all three but we're unbeaten in a while [against Everton]. Regardless of that, we're in good form, confidence is high and we're playing well.

"There's no better feeling than winning games. You just want the next game to come as soon as possible.

"At the minute, we've got a lot of games - Wednesday, Saturday and Thursday. The manager changes things up and keeps everyone fresh and wanting to do well when they come in."

After the incredible noise generated during Thursday's dramatic 4-3 victory over Borussia Dortmund, Lallana hopes Liverpool's 12th man will find their voice again tomorrow night.

"[Thursday] was quite remarkable and a big reason why we got over the line in the end," he continued.

"[Everton] is one of the [games] that you look on the fixture list at the beginning of the season.

"I'm sure the fans will turn up again, and if they're a patch on what they were the other night, then it'll be some atmosphere."

Jürgen Klopp's men are in the semi-finals of the Europa League and are keeping alive their chances of securing European qualification in the Barclays Premier League with a strong finish.

But Lallana insists the Reds will not get carried away by their recent run of form.

The 27-year-old added: "We're not getting ahead of ourselves - we've achieved nothing yet.

"We are starting to perform a little bit more consistently and the manager is running the changes and lads are coming in and performing well.

"I think it shows what a big squad he's got here and he can trust all his players."

[Yozza]

Klopp: Reds squad excited for Merseyside derby

Jürgen Klopp has revealed that his attempts to analyse Liverpool's win over Bournemouth fell on deaf ears at Melwood, with his players already distracted by thoughts of the upcoming Merseyside derby.

Local bragging rights are at stake when the Reds take on city rivals Everton at Anfield on Wednesday in what is the manager's first taste of the famous fixture.

Klopp says his previous experiences as a manager mean he knows all about the importance of such games, and he is relishing the opportunity to take part in a 'special' occasion.

The boss told the Liverpool Echo: "This morning when we were in the dressing room and we spoke a little about Sunday's game at Bournemouth I don't think anyone was really listening!

"They are thinking about Everton. I'm okay with that. That's really cool. It's very exciting. It's important too.

"Derbies are always difficult to play because you have to handle the pressure. There's no advantage or disadvantage for either side.

"For me, I like these special games. I've been a manager since 2001. That's 15 years and each game is important. But with special games like this it's different from three or four days before it."

With the departure of stalwarts such as Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, local influence on the derby may have waned in recent years.

But Klopp does not believe that has affected the desire to win among his squad.

"The biggest change is that there used to be more local players playing in the fixture," he added.

"They knew naturally from the first minute of their lives about the importance of the derby.

"But now the public view is so big in this moment – that's where the pressure comes from.

"All my players know about the derby because they hear so much about it. They know the importance of this game."

The enmity between Liverpool and Everton is somewhat dampened by the fact that families on Merseyside are often split between Red and Blue.

And, in his six months in the city, Klopp has seen plenty of justification for the 'friendly derby' tag.

"Since I've been here I get the feeling that the rivalry was more aggressive between Dortmund and Schalke," he explained.

"For example, you wouldn't work for Dortmund if you were a Schalke fan. No chance.

"If you say 'okay, I'm good at this and this, can I work here?' They'd say: 'what club?' You say Schalke they say: 'thank-you, now go'.

"Dortmund to Schalke is 25km. In Dortmund itself, there aren't many Schalke fans but if you go 10km out there are a lot. As Dortmund manager, I lived in a street and my two neighbours were Schalke fans. They showed it every day, flying flags!

"If we lost to them the next day I'd see them and they'd be shouting: 'Morning!' When we won, they didn't say hello.

"Here I feel it's a little bit different. All the Evertonians I've met until now have been pretty friendly."

[SB]

Anyone think Stewart may get a start in this? Can & Henderson out & a big Euro match next week. Is he up to it? I think he is.

[ChesterDave]

I hope not. Got potential but he ain't ready for a derby game.

[Fosterbloke]

He's average in my opinion.

[Chris]

He's boss. Of course he's ready for hapless **** like McCarthy or Gareth cunting Barry.

[Fivex]

Guardian podcast said that Tony Hibbert may well be drafted in for his first appearance in two years

Guaranteed to score in that case

[Daniel 7]

In all my years of living in Liverpool, I have never been to the derby at either ground. That run of 19 years ends tomorrow - we're bound to win simply because of that!

The feel good factor is here again. Other than a one off moment from Lukaku, they really don't seem to have anything at the moment, and their ponderous style of play looks hopelessly outdated in the Premier League.

Come on.

[Harv]

Is Lukaku even fit for this? He missed the game on the weekend and they might rest him to make sure he's good for the cup?

[ChrisDR1968]

The timing is pretty good for us in this derby.

Everton are out of form and are dropping down the table and we're in form (that silly collapse against Southampton aside), playing well and scoring goals freely for almost the first time all season.

They also haven't won at Anfield in donkey's years.

Pretty confident for this one

[Yozza]

Mods - Thanks for sorting out the capitals in the thread title - dunno why it wouldn't show the capital letters!


Everton without injured duo but Martinez insists: Our focus remains on Liverpool

The Everton boss will also assess three more injury doubts as he prepares for the biggest week of his Goodison career

Everton will be without two of their first-choice back four for the Merseyside derby, as Roberto Martinez refused to be drawn on suggestions he would prioritise the FA Cup semi-final over tomorrow’s game.

Phil Jagielka and Seamus Coleman have both failed to recover from their hamstring injuries in time for the trip across Stanley Park.

Aaron Lennon, Tom Cleverley and Leighton Baines will all be assessed ahead of tomorrow’s game, but the Blues boss did not reveal what sort of team he intends on playing against their bitter rivals.

“Seamus Coleman and Phil Jagielka will definitely be out of the derby,” he said. “It’s too early to make a final decision before the weekend [against United].

“We’re going to assess tonight’s session for Aaron Lennon, Leighton Baines and Tom Cleverley, to have a final decision. They’re very, very close and we’ll have a better idea if they are available for tomorrow.

“James McCarthy is back from suspension so that will be a clear difference from the squad we had at the weekend.”

When asked on how he would select his team for Liverpool, with a Wembley date looming, he replied: “We had our suspensions and injuries but our way of approaching games is always the same – whoever is on the pitch is expected to make our shirt proud, our fans proud, and play to win wherever we go and whoever is available, it is no different.”

The Blues face a defining week in their season, with Saturday’s game with Manchester United their last chance of success this season.

Despite facing two big games in the space of four days, which could impact upon his team selection, Martinez insists their full focus remains on Liverpool.

“e have been in a period of five games in two weeks so the focus has been game-to-game,” he added. “That’s not going to change.

In the same way, the semi-final at the weekend is just around the corner and is part of the work we do tomorrow in the game, straight away there will be some recovery strategies in place because the games are so close to each other.

Nothing takes the focus away from a Merseyside derby, against a team with a very strong momentum, and the focus will solely be on that game.”