The Merseyside Derby : Preview

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Premier League action returns this weekend after the international break and the the curtain raiser this week is the Merseyside Derby on Saturday. Before Liverpool and Everton lock horns on the pitch, we take a look at what to expect from the match.

Everton’s Liverpool Jinx:

Toffee’s manager Ronald Koeman will be desparate to break the merseyside jinx as his team haven’t beaten Liverpool in their last 12 matches. On the other hand Jurgen Klopp will be hoping that his team can put in the same efforts from last week against Manchester City.

Everton themselves have been in fine form as they blew away Hull City 4-0 last week. Koeman will be heavily banking on Romelu Lukaku to get the goals. The Belgian has been in fine form this season scoring 21 goals in all competitions.

Pushing for the Top Four:

Both the teams will be fighting for a top four finish as Everton are just six points behind fourth place Liverpool. Both teams have had a rather contrasting season. Liverpool, who looked ustoppable in the first half of the season. But they slowly faded away from the title race as the season rolled along. But Everton have been slowly picking up pace as the season is coming to an end. They now find themselves just six points shy of the top four. Even though their’s a lot of cut throat competition for the European berth but Koeman will certainly feel that it can be achieved.

Injury updates:

Both the teams have a handful of injury issues to deal with ahead of the match.

Everton will miss the serves of Seamus Coleman after he suffered a horrific leg-break during international duty. He will be out for almost a year(according to initial reports). Morgan Schneiderlin is also working hard to get match fit and ready before the derby. He suffered a calf injury during Everton’s match against Hull City.

Liverpool will miss Adam Lallana from their starting line-up after the Englishman was ruled out for almost a month due to an injury suffered on international duty. Daniel Sturridge is also a doubtful due to a hip injury.