After a dreadful start to the season,
Everton finally got their first win in this campaign with a 2-0 away defeat of
Birmingham in the last match before the international break. After being at the
bottom of the table earlier, Everton has climbed to 18th spot with that
victory. More importantly, they are now above their neighbors Liverpool who is in
19th place in the league.
After seeing his team ravaged by injuries
last season, David Moyes is experience a change of luck this season as most of
his team is back in the squad with no major injuries to contend with. Tim
Cahill and Yakubu will be on hand to take advantage of Liverpool’s fragile
state and increase the pressure of Roy Hodgson's shoulders.
Turmoil in the boardroom and on the field has
contributed to Liverpool’s lowly position in the league thus far. In what
should have been a revival of fortunes under new manager Roy Hodgson, Liverpool
now finds themselves second from bottom with only one win in the first seven
matches. Their last match ended defeat, 2-0 at home to Blackpool has led the
fans to call for Hodgson’s resignation and for the board to reinstate Anfield
legend Kenny Daglish to the helm.
The ownership saga which has drag on since
last season and may have played a part in the team’s mentality on the field
looks close to be ending as the club has accepted a bid from an American
consortium. With the new ownership, Liverpool fans would be hoping for more
investment in players to rejuvenate the squad which is severely lacking in
quality safe for Fernando Torres and skipper Steven Gerrard. Liverpool is
facing a major crisis at the front with Torres and Kuyt not available for the
match.
Liverpool did the double over their neighbors
last season, winning 1-0 at home and 2-0 at Goodison Park. This year’s edition
of the derby should be interesting and probably the first meeting with both
sides is in the relegation places in the league. Another loss to their Mersey
rivals will see Roy Hodgson’ seat even shakier and will not be a good omen for
the new owners NESV, who would no doubt be watching the match closely.
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