Merseyside derby : Preview

“Everton football club, our manager David Moyes over there, we salute you. And you ever want to come and have a service for them (the 96) over at our place with some blues. The doors always open for you. God Bless you.” These words by Bill Kenwright, Chairman Everton FC, would had forced many to drop tears off their eyes on April 15 during the Hillsbourgh memorial service at Anfield, but, all this emotions will take a back seat when the local rivals for Merseyside lock horns for the one last time this season.

Liverpool

Backed by a powerful performance against Newcastle United last week the Brendan Rogers and his men will look to carry the good form and the season on a high. With nothing other than pride at stake for Liverpool, the team will be expected to get the better of their local rivals on their home turf.

Luis Suarez, who is unavailable due to hi 10 match ban, could be the difference between the two sides as he had been instrumental in all the four matches played between the two sides since his arrival in 2011. Rogers is expected to field the same playing XI that took the field against the magpies in the previous league game.

With most of the players finding the back of the net at the St. James Park and Renia looking strong in front of the goal, Liverpool will be expected to put a good show against Everton on Sunday.

Probable starting XI: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Enrique, Henderson, Downing, Gerrard, Lucas, Coutinho, Sturridge

Everton

If at one end, Liverpool has nothing to loose from this tie, Everton, on the other, hand will have everything to play for when they take ground against Liverpool on Sunday.

David Moyes will want his team to earn all the three points available from the game and close down the gap on Tottenham Hotspurs for the 5th spot on the league table which would ensure European football for the evertonians next season.

The Everton camp would be looking up to their top goal scorer of the season Marouane Fellaini who is likely to get his second start since his comeback from an injury to provide some impetus in the game as they know that three points Anfield won’t be an easy task.

The toffees are expected to come out all guns blazing as Moyes is not expected to make much changes to his starting XI that won against Fulham at home on April 27.

Probable starting XI: Howard, Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Mirallas, Osman, Fellaini, Pienaar, Anichebe, Jelavic

This Sunday will also mark the last Merseyside derby for the scouse legend Jammie Carragher, will it be a happy ending or not only time can say.