Match Preview: Liverpool vs Everton

Gareth Freeman

This match is a massive one now. On Saturday five minutes of football changed everything, with United grabbing a last-gasp winner and Chelsea producing a frankly ridiculous turn-around the pressure is all back on Liverpool.

Benitez and his side need to put all their off-field problems too one side if they are going to win this tie. Everton have one of the most impressive away records in the league, losing two and winning seven of their ten away fixtures to date and there is no doubting they would love to put a spanner in the works of their neighbour’s title bid.

The Goodison Park side are still without a proven recognised striker, Victor Anichebe is back from injury but he is still a player learning his trade. Tim Cahill has stepped up too take on the striker’s role and he is justifying his place in the starting eleven. Carragher and co will need to be on top form to keep Everton out. Mikel Arteta is another player well equipped to change a game and there is no doubt how talented this Everton side is – even if they do travel to Anfield as the underdogs. Liverpool’s home form may have been criticised through the course of this season but they still have still yet to lose and it would take a brave man to back Everton to be the first side to do that.

My football betting tip would be for Fernando Torres to grab a goal in this encounter. He is still yet to hit the kind of form he had before his injury but he is a player who likes the big stage and this derby match would be a perfect time for him to step up to the plate and score. I doubt whether many will be backing Everton too take all three points with their football betting, but they are a decent side and should not be ignored as a threat.

The first of the two Liverpool derby’s in quick succession and I think everyone in the red half of the city would rather win this one than the FA Cup fixture. Liverpool looked good value for the title a few weeks ago but now things seem to be slipping away a bit, but a win over their local rivals would go a long way to proving they are capable of bringing home the title.