Everton v Liverpool preview: Rodgers faces crucial derby clash
Sunday 4 October 2015 13:01, UK
Liverpool make the short trip across Stanley Park to take on Everton in the Merseyside derby on Sunday in need of a win to ease the growing pressure on Brendan Rodgers.
The Liverpool manager has been under further scrutiny this week having chosen to speak out against his critics in the wake of his side's victory over Aston Villa, only to see them slip up at home to Sion in the Europa League on Thursday.
That makes a victory over their near neighbours all the more imperative for Liverpool and Rodgers, in particular.
However, a win over the Blues will not come easy with Roberto Martinez's side in high spirits following their impressive comeback to beat West Brom 3-2 at The Hawthorns on Monday.
Everton go in to the game a point ahead and four places above Liverpool in the table and could move into the top four with a second home win of the season.
Team news
Everton defenders John Stones and Seamus Coleman face late fitness tests ahead of the Merseyside derby clash with Liverpool at Goodison Park on Sunday.
Stones sat out Monday's win at West Brom due to a knee problem, while Coleman has missed three games because of a hamstring complaint.
Toffees midfielder Muhamed Besic, who has also been out for three matches nursing a hamstring injury, is not expected to be available, while winger Kevin Mirallas is still suspended.
Liverpool striker Christian Benteke faces a late assessment on his fitness ahead of the Merseyside derby at Everton.
The Belgium striker has missed the last three matches with a hamstring injury but manager Brendan Rodgers will make a decision on his return in the next 24 hours.
Rodgers will revert to his strongest line-up, having rested seven players for the Europa League in midweek, with Daniel Sturridge expected to return up front alongside Danny Ings.
Opta stats
Everton have gone nine league games without a victory against their neighbours Liverpool. They've not gone 10 games without a victory against the Reds since 1984 (a run of 11 games).
Liverpool have lost just one of their last eight Premier League games at Goodison Park, losing 2-0 in October 2010. The last three have ended in draws (W4).
This fixture has seen the most red cards shown in Premier League history (20); four more than any other Premier League game.
Daniel Sturridge has scored five times against Everton in the Premier League. The only club he has more goals against in the competition is Newcastle United (6).
Merson's prediction
Both sides will have a right go at each other and Daniel Sturridge's return is a massive help for the game itself and Liverpool. I feel sorry for Brendan Rodgers. He lost Luis Suarez and then Sturridge didn't kick a ball for the best part of 18 months. Jordan Henderson has also been out so they've been unlucky.
Live Ford Super Sunday
Everton are probably in a position where people expect them to win this game. That is not usually the case and I don't know how they are going to handle the pressure. The fans will turn up and think they should beat Liverpool and that doesn't come along too often. That could be a worry. But I can't wait for the game - it's going to be a real entertaining football match.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds 12/1)
Everton are Sky Bet's marginal favourites at 8/5 to Liverpool's price of 17/10, while the draw is 23/10. However, Reds striker Daniel Sturridge, who is enhanced from 3/1 to 5/1 to net in an away win in Sky Bet's Price Boosts, heads the first goalscorer market at 9/2, with Romelu Lukaku following at 11/2.
