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Liverpool vs Everton: Insights from the A-Eye Scouted Podcast Ahead of the Merseyside Derby

The Merseyside Derby is upon us, and as always, it promises to be a fierce, hard-fought battle. In the latest episode of the A-Eye Scouted podcast from Anfield Index, hosts Dave Hendrick and Guy Drinkel dissected the upcoming Premier League clash between Liverpool and Everton, offering their trademark blend of analysis and dry humour.

Everton’s Tactical Setup and Liverpool’s Midfield Battle

Dave Hendrick believes Everton will adopt a typically defensive stance under David Moyes. “They’re going to be hard to break down,” he stated, predicting a deep defensive block from the Toffees. He foresees Everton lining up with “a very flat 4-5-1 out of possession,” relying on forward passes to Betto and quick breaks from Lindström and Doucouré.

Guy Drinkel echoed this sentiment, adding that the midfield will be crucial. “It’s going to take a lot of bravery from Gravenberch and Mac Allister,” Guy noted, emphasising that Liverpool’s midfielders need to be aggressive to break through Everton’s congested centre. Dave chimed in, warning, “We can’t have tippy-tappy stuff,” urging Liverpool to play with urgency and directness.

Player Battles to Watch

The duo highlighted key individual battles, particularly focusing on the physical nature of Everton’s approach. “Doucouré is big and powerful, and I could imagine they might stick him on Gravenberch and try to rough him up a bit,” Dave observed. He recalled similar tactics used against Gravenberch earlier in the season, notably when Joelinton from Newcastle “really roughed him up and took him out of his stride.”

Everton’s inconsistent attack was also discussed, with Dave noting, “There’s not a lot of goals in this team.” He highlighted that Michael Keane, a defender, is Everton’s fifth-highest scorer with just two goals in the Premier League. This statistic underscores the Toffees’ struggles in front of goal, despite having players like Betto and Calvert-Lewin. “Betto has 10 goals in 56 appearances for Everton,” Dave remarked with disbelief, adding, “I don’t know if it’s more shocking that he’s played 56 times or that he’s scored 10 goals.”

Liverpool’s Strong Defensive Foundation

While Everton struggle to score, their defence remains solid. “They’ve only conceded 28 goals this season,” Dave pointed out, adding that only Liverpool, Arsenal, and Nottingham Forest have conceded fewer. However, this defensive strength hasn’t translated into results. “They sit 16th, and the others are all in the top three—that’s because they just can’t score goals,” Dave explained.

Photo: IMAGO

For Liverpool, the defence has been a source of strength. Dave is optimistic about the Reds’ chances, citing the form of key players. “Virgil is imperious,” he said, while also praising Alisson’s return to form, “Ali is looking more like Ali again.” The midfield, too, has been solid, with Dave noting, “I really liked the midfield against Spurs.”

Predictions and Final Thoughts

The hosts concluded with their predictions for the derby. Guy cautiously predicted a 2-1 win for Liverpool but admitted, “A draw wouldn’t surprise me.” Dave, on the other hand, was more confident, predicting a “nice businesslike 2-0 win” for the Reds. He expects Liverpool to maintain their defensive solidity and capitalise on Everton’s lack of firepower.

Regardless of the result, one thing is certain: the Merseyside Derby never fails to deliver drama, passion, and moments that linger long in the memory. As Dave aptly put it, “It doesn’t really matter where Everton are in the league; it doesn’t really matter who their manager is. We know what it’s going to be.”