Everton (h) build-up & match thread

[Mark79]

I'd go 2 up front tomorrow, Woodburn and Firmino with Origi on the left wing and Mane on the right. Can in the middle with Couts and Hendo if he's back, if not Lucas.

That would also mean going 3 at the back then.
Who would you have there?

[marcus50bucks]

Lucas Leiva in line for derby recall - a decade after rewarding Benitez's show of faith

Long-serving midfielder eyes return to line up after Henderson and Lallana setbacks

By James Pearce,
08:00, 31 MAR 2017

Nearly a decade has passed since Lucas Leiva enjoyed his first taste of the Merseyside derby.

It was October 2007 when the Brazilian midfielder was handed his Premier League debut by Rafa Benitez at Goodison Park.

Lucas was a surprise replacement for captain Steven Gerrard at 1-1 with 20 minutes to go against an Everton side reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Tony Hibbert.

The rookie’s impact was impressive as his goal-bound strike in stoppage time was handled on the line. Phil Neville got his marching orders and Dirk Kuyt kept his nerve to secure a cherished victory from the spot.

“It was completely different from anything I’d ever experienced before,” Lucas later told the ECHO.

“That was my first league game in England and I was so young. When I first came I knew about the derby but I didn’t really fully understand about it.

“Coming on for Stevie in that game opened my eyes and really showed me what it meant to both sets of supporters.”

Ten years on Lucas is bang in contention to have another big part to play when Liverpool and Everton go head to head at Anfield on Saturday.

The absence of Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana due to injury has opened the door for the club’s longest serving player to be thrust once again into the heat of a derby battle.

Jurgen Klopp does have other options. He could play Philippe Coutinho in midfield alongside Emre Can and Gini Wijnaldum and start Divock Origi in the front three with Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino. Although Origi’s recent form has been far from convincing.

Alternatively, the manager could move vice-captain James Milner into the central role he craves and hand a rare opportunity to Alberto Moreno at left-back. He could even recall Marko Grujic, although the young Serbian, who has been hampered by injuries, hasn’t played first-team football since November.

The fact is that Lucas’ claim to line up in midfield against the Blues instead is more compelling. For a start he boasts a wealth of experience - he knows exactly what’s required in these kind of frenetic neighbourly squabbles.

This would be his 17th derby and as he prepares to enter the final year of his contract this summer it’s likely to be his final one.

His record against Everton is impressive with eight wins, six draws and just two defeats.

While a dozen members of the Liverpool squad have been globetrotting on international duty over the past fortnight, Lucas has remained with the Reds, working with Klopp on the training ground. He will be refreshed and ready for duty.

Lucas’ inclusion - with Can and Wijnaldum operating just ahead of him - would also enable Klopp not to tinker with his favoured front three of Mane, Firmino and Coutinho.

The 30-year-old has had to settle for brief substitute outings in the past three matches. He has only made three league starts for the Reds since the turn of the year - all as a makeshift centre-back.

But injuries have handed him a potential route back to his favourite spot shielding the backline. Lucas will be desperate to get the nod. He repaid Benitez’s show of faith in this fixture 10 years ago and now he will be hoping to repeat the trick for Klopp.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport...klopp-12823539

Playing Lucas is not a bad shout, actually. He is not everyone's cup of tea but he has so much experience in these types of games and let's be honest non of our midfielders can match his positional sense. I'd also rather we didn't alter our front 3.

[The_weatherman]

One thing Lucas does better than anyone is taking the ball from the center backs and moving it quickly forward.

[dom9]

I've been out of the loop, is TAA the new Nemeth or something? #candle4Arn

The new Insua, innit.

[red g]

One thing Lucas does better than anyone is taking the ball from the center backs and moving it quickly forward.

Everton arent exactly blessed with pace either so that will help Lucas.

[Mark79]

Sturridge has 'no chance' for derby
Liverpool v Everton (Saturday, 12:30 BST)

As for the Merseysider derby itself, Jurgen Klopp says: "It's two historical big clubs in one city. Not too many cities with clubs of this size and importance."

Asked whether striker Daniel Sturridge could be fit to face Everton tomorrow lunchtime after resuming training, he says: "No chance. He was on pitch with rehab staff but no chance of playing."

There's bad news for captain Jordan Henderson too who has had "a little setback" with his foot injury.

Klopp adds: "He's not in team training until now. I can't say how long."

The Liverpool boss continues: "We will bring all what we have. All the other players had good results. Apart from Adam, nobody had big issues."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/38971768

[SB]

I've been out of the loop, is TAA the new Nemeth or something? #candle4Arn

Baitman is the new Arn #thelovefestisreal

[Slinky Skills]

That would also mean going 3 at the back then.
Who would you have there?

I miscalculated it, wouldn't put Lucas in there. Go with 4 at the back.

[Le Chef]

Back in the Uk for this - Sampling the main stand for the first time - ( would rather be in my normal seat ) Managed to screw flights, hotels and cars for this one - can't ****ing wait but when i think back, friggin hated these games.

[Shaggy]

I've defended Lucas to the hilt for a decade and I still love him as a bloke and for all he's given us, but I've had my ****ing fill of him as a midfielder ....surely we're not playing him tomorrow. Surely. Surely a Can, Gini and Coutinho midfield picks itself.

[Irishnev]

I've defended Lucas to the hilt for a decade and I still love him as a bloke and for all he's given us, but I've had my ****ing fill of him as a midfielder ....surely we're not playing him tomorrow. Surely. Surely a Can, Gini and Coutinho midfield picks itself.

If Barry plays for them can you imagine himself and Lucas racing each other......

[baitman]

If Barry plays for them can you imagine himself and Lucas racing each other......

It'll be like to snails kicking **** out if each other

[poorscousertommy]

I've defended Lucas to the hilt for a decade and I still love him as a bloke and for all he's given us, but I've had my ****ing fill of him as a midfielder ....surely we're not playing him tomorrow. Surely. Surely a Can, Gini and Coutinho midfield picks itself.

You're going to be disappointed

[Chris]

I've defended Lucas to the hilt for a decade and I still love him as a bloke and for all he's given us, but I've had my ****ing fill of him as a midfielder ....surely we're not playing him tomorrow. Surely. Surely a Can, Gini and Coutinho midfield picks itself.

Yep, I even prefer him as a centre back to there, he's a liability in midfield now, with the way our midfielders are asked to play anyway. And it removes Can from his best position too. But hopefully he can roll back the years if he does play!

[Saveloy]

You're going to be disappointed

oh