[Torque]

Originally Posted by skysports.com

All the vital ingredients are in place to concoct a classic Merseyside derby as Everton travel to Anfield to take on neighbours Liverpool on Sunday.

This local rivalry adopts a distinctly European feel at the weekend as far more than bragging rights are up for grabs in front of the Sky Sports cameras as the winner looks set to take a giant step towards securing qualification for next season's UEFA Champions League.

Liverpool currently occupy fourth place in the table and with that the final spot to earn progression to Europe's top club competition next term, but Everton are only two points behind their hosts and are snapping at the Reds' heels.

Talk of the battle for fourth had subsided over recent weeks as Liverpool have taken great pleasure in pointing out that their real target remained the Premier League title and that their greatest quarrel existed with table-topping Manchester United.

Battle for fourth

However, United put an end to all that with a 3-0 win at Old Trafford last weekend and Everton will now be looking forward to a gloating opportunity as Liverpool are forced to backtrack with their tails between their legs to their battle for fourth.

Everton have been strongly fancied to repeat their performance of 2005 when they beat Liverpool to the final Champions League berth and the Toffees will be looking forward to upsetting the Reds in the 207th Merseyside meeting at Anfield.

If Everton are to achieve their aim it is highly likely they will first be forced to stop Liverpool's star striker Fernando Torres.

Torres, who has hit 20 league goals this season, has recovered from the bruising he took at Old Trafford after playing only 50 minutes of Spain's 1-0 win over Italy in midweek following an agreement between Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez and international boss Luis Aragones.

Cahill absence

Midfielder Javier Mascherano, though, will be suspended following his controversial dismissal against United, but defender Steve Finnan is close to a return after a groin problem.

Yossi Benayoun could come in for Dirk Kuyt - who would receive a less than warm welcome from the Everton faithful following his two penalty conversions and unpunished high-flying challenge on Phil Neville in Liverpool's 2-1 win at Goodison Park in October- on the right of midfield.

Everton manager David Moyes goes into the derby without Tim Cahill as it has been confirmed the influential midfielder is out for the rest of the season following a recurrence of his troublesome metatarsal injury.

Striker Andy Johnson is also a major doubt after sitting out last Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to West Ham with a groin injury.

Steven Pienaar's fitness will be assessed after illness, but Victor Anichebe should be available after recovering from a hip injury to play last week.
Source

This will be an interesting match and I'll keep my fingers crossed for Everton as it would be very pleasant to see Loserpool losing the 4th place.

[Iron_Maiden]

As far as I have seen Everton this season playing in both Premier League and Uefa Cup, I think that they are the side that deserves that last spot for Champions League. More than that, Liverpool are concentrating on their campaign in Europe rather than playing decent football in the PL. I really hope that Everton will teach Liverpool a lesson today and end every ambition of Pool, by showing some quick-fire passing and fluent attacks, adding to a memorable victory. I also think that it's now or never for Everton, it has to be a strongly recommended win!

[Torque]

I have missed the first half, but managed to get back in time for the second one.

Loserpool scored on the 7th minute and that early goal did the trick.

In the second half Everton dominated the game. The main battle was in midfield, 'cause when it came to finishing both team lacked that final touch.

It seemed to me that Loserpool were lucky today, as every deflected ball was always going to a loserpool player. Also I think the ref wasn't fair enough. There were some bad decisions, including a yellow card for Jagielka only because he fouled Gerrard, I guess.

Everton really deserved at least a draw for their second half performance, but, as we know, sometimes football isn't fair.

[Iron_Maiden]

Originally Posted by ZEUS

Loserpool scored on the 7th minute and that early goal did the trick.

In the second half Everton dominated the game. The main battle was in midfield, 'cause when it came to finishing both team lacked that final touch.

Everton really deserved at least a draw for their second half performance, but, as we know, sometimes football isn't fair.

Well,its true that Everton dominated, created enough chances to prove that the full time scoreline is not reflecting their superiority, in the second half,but Pool dominated the first, which you have missed.In every game, in which the squads are even,the battle is likely to be in the midfield and Everton was the home side equal in every compartment,but at home even the walls can help.Sometimes you just need a lucky strike.Thats all!Everton needed some fire upfront and they did not have it today.That was the difference on the day!