Mersey derby to serve up war of attrition
Liverpool and Everton meet at Anfield in the Premier League on Monday night with both sides in woeful positions and form. The hosts have been shadows of their former selves this season, with the Reds down in 10th and defensively very susceptible. The Toffees meanwhile appointed Sean Dyche with the remit of keeping the club in the top flight for yet another year and, having dispatched leaders Arsenal in his first game in the dugout, he might just fancy his chances of another result to help put some smiles back on supporters' faces. Read our preview here:
Matip for the future
Though the tactical deficiencies have been more down to structural problems over personnel, there are certainly a number of individuals who are particularly struggling under Jürgen Klopp in 2022/2023. This has been most acute in midfield, with even skipper Jordan Henderson's powers of marrying defence, dictating the tempo, and joining in the attacks starting to wane. Stefan Bajčetić has offered some hope for the longer term with his breakthrough performances, but the unit as a whole has neither looked cohesive nor effective, which has led to the other clusters at either end of the pitch often appearing isolated. Joël Matip's displays in the centre of the back four without Virgil van Dijk have been far short of what's required, especially during the last two heavy defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Bereft of other options however, Klopp will persist with the experienced Cameroonian stopper, who will likely be up against Neal Maupay in a lone striker role.
Dwight's all right
Whilst some of the 'beats' of Dyche's strategy against the Gunners could've been predicted by almost anyone with a keen eye for his favoured methods, he did prove that he's far from as reliant on a 4-4-2 formation as some of his most ardent critics would like to maintain. He also immediately recognised that hardening the hitherto soft core in front of Jordan Pickford was paramount, and they will probably continue in a similar vein in what is bound to a feisty derby. With Maupay leading the line, the wingers on either side of the five-man midfield will be crucial to both keeping the new head coach's desired shape and in providing some support for the former Seagulls frontman. Former Burnley duo James Tarkowski and Dwight McNeil combined to get the winner in the last game, and the latter will need to continue to step up offensively to help dig his current side out of their rut.
Betting tip
betway have odds of 7.00 for a 1-1 draw that would further damage Liverpool's ability to mount a recovery up the standings with their two games in hand, and would also represent another important step in the right direction for Everton.
