16th v 4th. On paper, this edition of the Merseyside Derby is a complete mismatch and there should be no worries for any Liverpool players or fans going into the match. Perhaps, there aren’t. But the feeling is certainly not the same as it would be when playing any other relegation candidate.
A Merseyside Derby never feels like a complete mismatch, even if Liverpool have only lost one out of their last twenty-eight games against Everton in all competitions. The matches are usually cagey, overly physical, and lack rhythm so at times you feel that if Everton took some of their moments it could’ve been completely different. But, the consensus is that Liverpool has to win – against Sean Dyche’s Everton, they will fancy their chances.
Liverpool’s Path to Winning a Cagey Merseyside Derby
Watch: Football is becoming a battlefield
Midfield Control
In a utopian scenario, midfield control for Jurgen Klopp is an image that represents a horde of midfielders swarming the opposition in their half, blocking any passing options and shadow-marking with discipline, leading to the ball being regained and a quick pass played into the feet of an always dynamic front-three who will then make magic happen. Against the Toffees, if the German manager’s side looks anything like that organised bundle of energy then Sean Dyche and his team will have a long day.
As expected, under the former Burnley manager, The Toffeemen has become a much more transitional and direct team that is reliant on long balls out wide or directly into their forward man. As a result, the distance between their midfield and attacking line is quite long and it makes any control of possession extremely difficult, albeit, that isn’t their goal.
Everton’s transitional threat means that Liverpool has to be highly focused and organised in their counter-press, it would be a disaster if a repeat of last season’s issues occur, where the Reds are late in initiating the counter-press, a ball is played in behind and they are left in a completely disorganised state. If they can time their counter-press as they have shown they can, particularly against Aston Villa, they will gain control of the Merseyside Derby in midfield and Everton’s main attacking strategy will fall apart – paving the way for a relentless wave of Red attacks.
Read More: How Liverpool Fixed Their Pressing Issues
The high press is an extremely important principle in this match simply because it will provide control of the ball and test the defensive tenacity and resilience of the Toffees in settled defence. They will have a wall of bodies behind the ball and will be extremely difficult to break down at times. The Achilles heel of Dyche’s squad this season has been silly defensive mistakes, the likelihood of such mistakes occurring increases when defenders are fatigued and are having to constantly defend attack after attack, if their opponent controls the midfield, that is what is bound to occur.
Set-Pieces
As is typical of every Dyche side, The Blues are highly dangerous from set-pieces. With the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucoure, and James Tarkowski – they have a large aerial and physical threat. Conversely, the 2019 Champions League winners have struggled to defend set-pieces. Against Brighton, their comeback was disturbed by a lapse off a set-piece late in the game, any similar lapse could see their rivals capitalise in the Merseyside Derby.
However, in defensive set-piece situations, the away side have not been the most compact and with deliveries coming in from the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai and Trent Alexander-Arnold, it is a high possibility that a few headed chances could fall to Virgil Van Dijk.
Liverpool’s Centre-Backs v Everton’s Forwards
It doesn't get more dramatic than Divock Origi's 96th-minute winner for Liverpool against Everton in 2018… 😱
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Another key tactical battle of this Merseyside Derby will be how the Anfield side’s centre-backs shape up against the opposition forwards. The Goodison Park representatives love to play long balls into Calvert Lewin or Beto with the support of Doucoure behind them, it certainly can cause the opposition trouble if they aren’t tight to their players and tracking the runs.
The Anfield faithful will certainly back Virgil van Dijk to be extremely tight on Calvert-Lewin and handle that assignment with flying colours. The Dutch Captain has impressed this season and looks back in great form. It will be interesting to see who the German manager will select as his deputy, Ibrahima Konate or Joel Matip.
The case for Konate to play is a strong one, due to his speed and physicality suiting transitional and direct teams. Both centre-backs will need to be organised amongst themselves to cover the spaces – an assignment they are accustomed to with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s advanced role. Their fierce rivals may look to exploit the wider areas and use their full-backs to get crosses into the box, especially, with Andy Robertson out with injury and Tsimikas looking likely to start.
What is certain is that this Merseyside Derby will certainly have a cagey and physical feel, if the six-time Champions League winners strike early then it may pave the path for a dominating performance.
