Klopp, Liverpool eye festive Merseyside derby spoils
LIVERPOOL cannot lead the Premier League on Christmas Day, so the best present their fans can wish for is victory at neighbours Everton in tonight’s 227th Merseyside derby.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were top of the table briefly last month, but seem to have overcome the stumble since then that caused them to lose significant ground on current leaders Chelsea.
Klopp made a big call by dropping goalkeeper Loris Karius after uncertain performances against Bournemouth and West Ham United.
He was rewarded at Middlesbrough last Wednesday as Simon Mignolet kept a clean sheet in a 3-0 victory.
Adam Lallana was also a significant factor in that victory, scoring twice to take his goal tally to three in two matches since his return to the starting lineup following a groin problem.
Lallana has established himself as one of the English top division’s most threatening attacking players, with six assists to go with six Premier League goals.
That is a significant improvement for a player who managed only four league goals and six assists last season.
Liverpool have found ways to share the goals around. They went into the weekend as the Premier League’s top scorers, with 40 goals from 16 matches.
Considering the fitness problems of Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho, it is of great encouragement to Klopp.
Striker Sturridge may be able to play some part at Goodison Park after missing the last five matches with a calf injury.
But Brazilian playmaker Coutinho’s ankle injury will keep him out until at least the visit of Manchester City on New Year’s Eve.
Emre Can could return to the midfield after a two-game absence with a minor knee problem.
Centre back Joel Matip continues to struggle with ankle trouble, meaning Klopp is likely to stick with Ragnar Klavan alongside Dejan Lovren at the back.
Injury troubles aside, Liverpool have good reason for optimism going into the derby, having not lost any of their last 12 meetings with Everton in all competitions.
Ronald Koeman’s side have at least managed to halt their slide down the table, winning for only the second time in 11 matches as they came from a goal down to beat Arsenal 2-1 last Tuesday.
That win, over a team with title aspirations, showed what Everton are capable of, although it came at a price, with Phil Jagielka collecting a red card.
Koeman could do with a win over his side’s great rivals, if only to placate his own club’s supporters, who were unhappy that he cited Klopp’s men as title contenders earlier in the season.
Those fans were no more impressed when the Everton manager posted a social media picture of his Christmas tree – decorated in Liverpool red.