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It’s been a roller-coaster ride for Liverpool so far, with Manchester City breathing down their neck. This Sunday, the league leaders' next challenge is the Merseyside derby. It’s the battle of the neighbors and oh, how Everton would love for Liverpool to lose their title at Goodison Park.
So far Everton have had a mixed season, but they’re known to turn it up whenever they play against their neighbors. With Liverpool being in danger of slipping in this do-or-die derby, we take a look at the five big talking points of this match.
#1 Gegenpressing is back
Gegenpressing had been the main motto of Liverpool’s football last season where Arsenal, Manchester City and many more teams have fallen victim. This season however, we are yet to see Liverpool counter-pressing throughout a match.
While the defence was secured with the arrival of Virgil Van Dijk and Alisson Becker, the team had yet to put up a show of the gegenpressing tactics that they were used to. Instead, Liverpool were often satisfied with a hard fought 1-0 win.
But during the week, they welcomed Watford at Anfield and the gegenpressing was back - mainly with a fabulous display of Fabinho, Mane, Van Dijk, Robertson and Alexander-Arnold. The 5-0 win over Watford could be a major boost ahead of the derby.
#2 Roberto Firmino’s potential absence
Usually playing as a false nine, Roberto Firmino is probably one of the most important players for Liverpool. Often when he has a bad match, Liverpool end up in a tough fix. Firmino is the link between Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, providing them with hands-on delivery.
Usually a selfless player, Firmino is more likely to assist than to score, but his no-look goals have definitely made a name for themselves.
Against Watford, with Firmino out injured, Mane was tried as a false nine and he didn’t disappoint. But considering Firmino’s footballing intelligence, his absence is surely going to be felt in the match against Everton.
Jurgen Klopp believes there is a good chance Firmino will be fit in time for the Everton match, but it remains to be seen whether that actually happens.
#3 Virgil Van Dijk or Phil Jagielka – The Wall
Phil Jagielka has missed most of this season for Everton, either sidelined with a knee injury or simply with Kurt Zuma and Michael Keane preferred over him. Jagielka has long been a wall for the Everton defence, usually bringing out all the tricks from his bag - be it the rough tackles or the towering headers.
On the opposite side is Virgil Van Dijk, who has played most of Liverpool’s matches this season and been an absolute wall in the defence. Paired up with Joe Gomez earlier, then with Dejan Lovren and now with Joel Matip, Van Dijk is the only constant that has always been turning up.
Having scored a double against Watford, Van Dijk would be raring to go one up on Jagielka.
#4 England’s No. 1 vs Brazil’s No. 1
Throwback to the 2018 World Cup where Jordan Pickford’s England had a better run in the competition than Alisson Becker’s Brazil. England made it to the semi-final where they lost to the runner-up Croatia, while Brazil’s World Cup ended in the quarter-finals.
Fast forward to the Premier League this season as Liverpool secured the signing of Alisson Becker, thus improving their defence. The newcomer Alisson has 16 clean sheets in 28 appearances in the Premier League, conceding only 15 goals, while Pickford has 7 clean sheets in 28 appearances, conceding 39 goals.
So far, it has been Alisson’s game. But it remains to be seen who’ll have the better day in goal on Sunday.
#5 Merseyside Derby history
The last time Liverpool and Everton met, it ended in a dramatic 90+6 minutes winner from Divock Origi for Liverpool. This Sunday promises even more drama.
Liverpool have been unbeaten in the last 18 matches against Everton in all competitions, recording 9 wins and 9 draws. But on Sunday, even a draw could prove fatal for the current league leaders.
Jurgen Klopp’s men have to win if they want to hold the Premier League title at the end of the season, while Everton would be happy to shatter their neighbors' dreams.
