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Opinion
This weekend’s clash between last season’s champions Liverpool and the emerging, developing side of Everton looks to be an exciting prospect.
Both clubs find themselves in interesting positions. Everton are an up-and-coming side who are pushing to prove they are a club that must be considered a threat in the league.
Liverpool are looking to bounce back after a shock 7-2 loss away to Aston Villa, the largest defeat a Liverpool side has suffered in more than 55 years.
Following the club’s surprising loss to Aston Villa, manager Jurgen Klopp faces the possibility of travelling to Everton without star forward Sadio Mané after a positive COVID-19 test. Mané is set to return to Anfield a day before the match, with his fitness in question.
Klopp will also have to face an inspired Everton side under the newly appointed tutelage of Carlo Ancelotti.
(Photo by Kieran Galvin/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The club’s summer signings of James Rodríguez, Allan and Abdoulaye Doucouré have re-shaped their midfield, adding depth as well as creativity to the centre of the pitch.
Rodríguez in particular has impressed so far this season, scoring three goals as well as assisting two in only four appearances.
Rodríguez was signed by Ancelotti during his Real Madrid tenure in 2014. The duo’s reunion has so far shown to be more successful than sentimental, with Rodríguez shining under Ancelotti’s system.
It is a system that thrives on the midfielder’s range of passing, as well as his ability to dictate play from deep-line positions.
Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has also showed signs of his development, already bagging two hat tricks this season, one in the league as well as one in the Carabao Cup.
Facing the former champions in Liverpool will be no easy task. Liverpool’s defence will be bolstered by the possible return of injured left back Andy Robertson, as well as goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
That is not to mention the potential threat of star forwards Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino.
History is with last season’s champions, with Everton being unable to register a victory over their cross-town rivals in ten years. Liverpool won two of the three derbies played last season, with the third ending in a draw.
The clash will also see the first managerial match-up of Klopp and Ancelotti, former managers of German league rivals Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich respectively.
Liverpool are looking to regain lost ground in the league, currently sitting fifth in the table.
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