It’s ‘take two’ as Liverpool host Everton for the second time in the space of a week. The Reds couldn’t overcome their local rivals in league play, so they will be hoping to rectify that on Sunday.
Usually when Steven Gerrard scores the opener midway through the second half, it means victory for Rafael Benitez’s men. However, some slack marking, combined with Tim Cahill’s inimitable brilliance at set-pieces, saw 'Pool take only a single point from Monday’s derby date.
The result meant that Liverpool conceded top spot in the Premier League to their next fiercest rivals, Manchester United, whose win over Bolton Wanderers last weekend put them ahead in the title race on goal difference – with a game in hand to boot.
The giants of Anfield will be determined to set things right, although most would assume that Benitez and company would gladly swap an FA Cup triumph for three points in the league. However, the Spanish tactician is not underestimating the importance of the world’s oldest football tournament.
"The FA Cup is a massive competition," Rafa said. "It's very important for us and for the fans. We have great memories from 2006 and we want to repeat them."
Even though Liverpool are expected to rest several key players, the statistics are firmly in their favour as they prepare for their 210th meeting with Everton which is a record 21st pairing with their Merseyside nemeses in the cup.
The Toffees have not beaten the Kop kings on their (Liverpool’s) own patch since 1999, when Kevin Campbell struck to give the visitors a 1-0 league win. Furthermore, the Reds are unbeaten in the last five derbies and have only lost two of the previous 19.
Then there’s the Blues’ overall record in the FA Cup in recent years. They have not beaten top-flight opposition since 1999, when they downed Coventry City 2-1 in the fifth round, and they haven’t managed first-time away wins in both rounds three and four since 1968.
However, after scraping a point on Monday to stretch their unbeaten run to seven, albeit overshadowed by 'Pool’s 13 games without loss, the original residents of Anfield are aiming high, although they are well aware of the task which confronts them.
"I would like to win the Cup," said Everton manager David Moyes, "But there is a big obstacle in front of us and we need to overcome it before we can talk about winning the tournament."
FORM GUIDE
Liverpool
Jan 19 Liverpool 1-1 Everton (Premier League)
Jan 10 Stoke City 0-0 Liverpool (Premier League)
Jan 03 Preston North End 0-2 Liverpool (FA Cup)
Dec 28 Newcastle United 1-5 Liverpool (Premier League)
Dec 26 Liverpool 3-0 Bolton Wanderers (Premier League)
Everton
Jan 19 Liverpool 1-1 Everton (Premier League)
Jan 10 Everton 2-0 Hull City (Premier League)
Jan 03 Macclesfield Town 0-1 Everton (FA Cup)
Dec 28 Everton 3-0 Sunderland (Premier League)
Dec 26 Middlesbrough 0-1 Everton (Premier League)
TEAM NEWS
Liverpool
Xabi Alonso and Daniel Agger have been the major injury concerns heading into this clash. The Spanish playmaker came out of Monday night feeling his sewn-up foot, while the Danish defender has been battling a calf strain. Nevertheless, both have shown progress in training and should be available.
Rafa the gaffer is expected to rest much of his first team, however, meaning Alonso could sit out regardless to make way for Javier Mascherano and/or Lucas Leiva. Andrea Dossena could get a chance at left-back, while Robbie Keane may get another shot in attack even after his lacklustre showing in the ‘first leg’, so to speak.
The boss has also been talking up Steven Gerrard’s performance on the training track, so the skipper is most definitely in the mix.
Possible XI: Cavalieri – Arbeloa, Agger, Hyypia, Dossena – Mascherano, Lucas – Benayoun, Gerrard, Babel – Keane/Torres
Everton
Nigerian stopper Joseph Yobo missed his fourth game on the trot on Monday, but he could return to the squad as he nears full recovery from a thigh problem.
Otherwise, Moyes is expected to use an identical starting line-up to the one which held the Reds only a matter of days ago.
Possible XI: Howard – Hibbert, Jagielka, Lescott, Baines – Osman, Neville, Arteta, Pienaar – Anichebe, Cahill
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Liverpool
Ryan Babel has seen surprisingly little playing time this season, leading to questions about his long-term prospects under Benitez. But the Dutch forward should be given an opportunity against the Blues, and he’ll be determined to show that he’s worth a starting spot.
Everton
Tiny Tim Cahill earned his side a point on Monday with a trademark header, making him the first Evertonian since Dixie Dean to score in three Anfield derbies. The Australian midfielder sits on 99 career goals, and wouldn’t he love to rack up his ton on Sunday.
Usually when Steven Gerrard scores the opener midway through the second half, it means victory for Rafael Benitez’s men. However, some slack marking, combined with Tim Cahill’s inimitable brilliance at set-pieces, saw 'Pool take only a single point from Monday’s derby date.
The result meant that Liverpool conceded top spot in the Premier League to their next fiercest rivals, Manchester United, whose win over Bolton Wanderers last weekend put them ahead in the title race on goal difference – with a game in hand to boot.
The giants of Anfield will be determined to set things right, although most would assume that Benitez and company would gladly swap an FA Cup triumph for three points in the league. However, the Spanish tactician is not underestimating the importance of the world’s oldest football tournament.
"The FA Cup is a massive competition," Rafa said. "It's very important for us and for the fans. We have great memories from 2006 and we want to repeat them."
Even though Liverpool are expected to rest several key players, the statistics are firmly in their favour as they prepare for their 210th meeting with Everton which is a record 21st pairing with their Merseyside nemeses in the cup.
The Toffees have not beaten the Kop kings on their (Liverpool’s) own patch since 1999, when Kevin Campbell struck to give the visitors a 1-0 league win. Furthermore, the Reds are unbeaten in the last five derbies and have only lost two of the previous 19.
Then there’s the Blues’ overall record in the FA Cup in recent years. They have not beaten top-flight opposition since 1999, when they downed Coventry City 2-1 in the fifth round, and they haven’t managed first-time away wins in both rounds three and four since 1968.
However, after scraping a point on Monday to stretch their unbeaten run to seven, albeit overshadowed by 'Pool’s 13 games without loss, the original residents of Anfield are aiming high, although they are well aware of the task which confronts them.
"I would like to win the Cup," said Everton manager David Moyes, "But there is a big obstacle in front of us and we need to overcome it before we can talk about winning the tournament."
FORM GUIDE
Liverpool
Jan 19 Liverpool 1-1 Everton (Premier League)
Jan 10 Stoke City 0-0 Liverpool (Premier League)
Jan 03 Preston North End 0-2 Liverpool (FA Cup)
Dec 28 Newcastle United 1-5 Liverpool (Premier League)
Dec 26 Liverpool 3-0 Bolton Wanderers (Premier League)
Everton
Jan 19 Liverpool 1-1 Everton (Premier League)
Jan 10 Everton 2-0 Hull City (Premier League)
Jan 03 Macclesfield Town 0-1 Everton (FA Cup)
Dec 28 Everton 3-0 Sunderland (Premier League)
Dec 26 Middlesbrough 0-1 Everton (Premier League)
TEAM NEWS
Liverpool
Xabi Alonso and Daniel Agger have been the major injury concerns heading into this clash. The Spanish playmaker came out of Monday night feeling his sewn-up foot, while the Danish defender has been battling a calf strain. Nevertheless, both have shown progress in training and should be available.
Rafa the gaffer is expected to rest much of his first team, however, meaning Alonso could sit out regardless to make way for Javier Mascherano and/or Lucas Leiva. Andrea Dossena could get a chance at left-back, while Robbie Keane may get another shot in attack even after his lacklustre showing in the ‘first leg’, so to speak.
The boss has also been talking up Steven Gerrard’s performance on the training track, so the skipper is most definitely in the mix.
Possible XI: Cavalieri – Arbeloa, Agger, Hyypia, Dossena – Mascherano, Lucas – Benayoun, Gerrard, Babel – Keane/Torres
Everton
Nigerian stopper Joseph Yobo missed his fourth game on the trot on Monday, but he could return to the squad as he nears full recovery from a thigh problem.
Otherwise, Moyes is expected to use an identical starting line-up to the one which held the Reds only a matter of days ago.
Possible XI: Howard – Hibbert, Jagielka, Lescott, Baines – Osman, Neville, Arteta, Pienaar – Anichebe, Cahill
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Liverpool
Ryan Babel has seen surprisingly little playing time this season, leading to questions about his long-term prospects under Benitez. But the Dutch forward should be given an opportunity against the Blues, and he’ll be determined to show that he’s worth a starting spot.
Everton
Tiny Tim Cahill earned his side a point on Monday with a trademark header, making him the first Evertonian since Dixie Dean to score in three Anfield derbies. The Australian midfielder sits on 99 career goals, and wouldn’t he love to rack up his ton on Sunday.
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