LFC Scout Report: Everton

Everton make the short trip across Stanley Park as they aim to win at Anfield for the first time in 14 years in Sunday’s Merseyside derby.

The fierce rivals sit sixth and seventh in the league, with Everton five points ahead with three games to play.

Only a win will suffice for Liverpool if they plan on stopping their local rivals from finishing above theme for a second successive season.

Everton can still mathematically achieve a top four finish and though it seems unlikely at this stage David Moyes’ men will do everything in their power to give them a chance and a win at Liverpool would certainly contribute to that.

The blue half of Merseyside come into the game on a run of one defeat in six, which has seen them take 11 points from a possible 18.

Liverpool proved last week that they have plenty of match winners even without Luis Suarez. A 0-6 thrasing against Newcastle will have pleased Brendan Rodgers and the fans as they prepare for next season.

Strikers Daniel Sturridge and Fabio Borini both showed what they can do in Suarez’s absence leaving Liverpool with good attacking options for the future.

Team News:

Darron Gibson missed last weekend’s win over Fulham with hip and thigh injuries but could be fit enough to make the squad on Sunday.Defender Tony Hibbert returned to the bench last week and is expected to feature in the squad after calf surgery.

Both Victor Anichebe and Nikica Jelavic are pushing for starts and Moyes must decide which of the strikers will lead the line.

Key Player:

Kevin Mirallas has gained a lot of attention from other Premier League clubs this season as the Belgian has produced many classy performances including superb individual goals.

The attacking midfielder is a potential match winner and can cause defenses all kinds of problems as shown the last time these two teams met before suffering an ankle injury.

Unsurprisingly, this fixture has produced the most red cards in the Premier League and it is guaranteed to be a feisty spectacle.

Despite neither team having much left to play for, bragging rights is just as important.