Why have Liverpool sacked Rodgers now? I give him stick on here, but surely you sack a manager in the summer or leave it til next season? Whoever comes in now, Liverpool will finish 5th best case scenario. Is that any higher than it'd be with Brenda at the helm?
@j.c- I'd understand that if Rodgers wasn't allowed to spend big money. The owners have had reservations over Brendan for ages but still gave him their cheque book. It seems strange. They also have to buy Rodgers out of at least a portion of his contract too which is throwing even more good money after bad. Klopp will be successful I'm sure, but he wont want to work under the same restraints as he did at Dortmund so I can see big money being spent in January AND the summer to make the team his own. This team has already cost a couple of hundred million...
@j.c Damn good question, might as well put Gomez instead of him in CB and Can instead of Lucas as the DM.. especially since Lucas wasn't fully fit either.
Everton have been particularly poor in possession today, 75% pass success and disposed 12 times after 80 minutes, that isn't something you associate with Martinez-led teams.
Also, Rodgers has gone back to the same 5 back formation that he used last year that was heavily exposed by putting someone physical on Emre Can (e.g. Fellaini) and someone smart/quick to take advantage of Moreno's positional naivity (e.g. Mata). Could make sense to push Lukaku onto Can and Deulofeu to try get in behind, and perhaps move Naismith into the False 9 - quasi striker role that he's been very effective in before (thinking back in particular to performances in 2013/14 and that dominant game against Arsenal).
@RedDevils- That's not actually what a false 9 is. A false 9 is a midfielder playing the role of a striker in lieu of a quality forward. It's usually a number 10 put there but Brendan liked Sterling there for a while which didn't work. The performance against Arsenal didn't have such a position. Sturridge was often in the middle in a genuine 9 position. There's a difference between a number 9 searching for a weak link in the defence & another player taking the vacant space in the middle and there being no genuine striker on the pitch- which is what Spain, Germany, Bayern Munich and Liverpool have done in the past to minimal avail.
Very Surprising that Rodgers sets up with so many defensive players given how 3/4 of Everton's first choice back line are out, plus they're missing Mirallas who's usually been their best winger in the past few seasons. Before the game I called Everton 1-0 or 2-1 but high possibility of a draw at the current rate
@RedDevils Galloway is already good player but Browning is a small risk. Mori is having a good game. I'm not the first to criticize Rodgers, but he probably doesn't know what he's best system is. He simply plays what seems to be working. By the way, Lukaku really shows good fighting spirit.
@Castle Couldn't agree more about him not knowing his best system, he always seems to want to play a 433 which has never shown progressive signs, it's like a rotation of systems for Liverpool in which they can never fit all their best players into one strongest formation. Lukaku is looking brilliant today, Everton have momentum with them and are looking the much better side.
@McAleer you're one of the only best football reviewers on whoscored.com . Its love to see more of your articles and reviews. You do something a full footy round up. Absolutely I agree with you on this.
everton will out battle a lfc under pressure team. every area is now under performing while everton on the rise. rogers is running out of lives. if carlisle can give 100% effort & finish 1 all, everton will give 100% & score a few more.3 1 lukaku top man
@shevchenco Sturridge-Ings pairing will hardly work well against Everton but Ings is hardly an idiot. He can be useful at times, although Benteke is clearly a better option. I wonder were Firmino will play when he comes back. 4-3-1-2 with him as number 10 and Coutinho playing deeper?
lol at whoscored making a draw predictions for 80% of the Liga and PremierLeague matches lately ....
It's really useless to put predictions if it's gonna be systematically a draw unless it's Barcelona - Getafe ... just take away predictions all together instead ot being ridiculous.
Everton playing well atm and Liverpool are up and down. Generally, form doesn't matter that much going into a local derby but I think it will count for a bit in this game. I'll go 3-2 Everton with Lukaku MotM.
It would be nice if both teams were in good form for these kind of games but I'm sure Liverpool will give their everything on the pitch despite their struggles. This derby seems to be a close match but I bet Kone will score the winner after coming in.
Everton to stamp their authority on this derby match. Both teams are missing important players, but one team has spent about 100 Million less than the other. I expect the frugal side to walk it. I expect Brendan to claim to have won some sort of moral victory in the post match interview.
@SlippinJimmy "We were a bit unlucky today, were on the wrong end of some questionable refereeing decisions, and we lacked quality in the final third. However, our fans were great even though they booed us off the field, and we really appreciate our medical staff, unlike some clubs. So all in all, we have a lot of good things going for us. We'll be ready for Everton next time when we play them at home..."
man I can't wait for this derby. Everton have been gaining momentum with their recent performances and they're playing at home against an arguably weak Liverpool side, I'm gonna go for a 2-0 home win COYB!
Why have Liverpool sacked Rodgers now? I give him stick on here, but surely you sack a manager in the summer or leave it til next season? Whoever comes in now, Liverpool will finish 5th best case scenario. Is that any higher than it'd be with Brenda at the helm?
@SteveHyland because Klopp and Ancelloti are available now, but won't be for very long.
@j.c- I'd understand that if Rodgers wasn't allowed to spend big money. The owners have had reservations over Brendan for ages but still gave him their cheque book. It seems strange. They also have to buy Rodgers out of at least a portion of his contract too which is throwing even more good money after bad. Klopp will be successful I'm sure, but he wont want to work under the same restraints as he did at Dortmund so I can see big money being spent in January AND the summer to make the team his own. This team has already cost a couple of hundred million...
@j.c It is gonna be Klopp I bet
@neumi17- Won't get much for your money at 3/10. :-p
Rodgers out , Dick in.
Emre Can is a talented player, with pace and attacking threat... why on Earth is he being played at center back?
@j.c Damn good question, might as well put Gomez instead of him in CB and Can instead of Lucas as the DM.. especially since Lucas wasn't fully fit either.
Liverpool will be thanking Mignolet & the ref.
@Geolardo Howard made as many saves as Mignolet
Everton have been particularly poor in possession today, 75% pass success and disposed 12 times after 80 minutes, that isn't something you associate with Martinez-led teams.
Also, Rodgers has gone back to the same 5 back formation that he used last year that was heavily exposed by putting someone physical on Emre Can (e.g. Fellaini) and someone smart/quick to take advantage of Moreno's positional naivity (e.g. Mata). Could make sense to push Lukaku onto Can and Deulofeu to try get in behind, and perhaps move Naismith into the False 9 - quasi striker role that he's been very effective in before (thinking back in particular to performances in 2013/14 and that dominant game against Arsenal).
@RedDevils- That's not actually what a false 9 is. A false 9 is a midfielder playing the role of a striker in lieu of a quality forward. It's usually a number 10 put there but Brendan liked Sterling there for a while which didn't work. The performance against Arsenal didn't have such a position. Sturridge was often in the middle in a genuine 9 position. There's a difference between a number 9 searching for a weak link in the defence & another player taking the vacant space in the middle and there being no genuine striker on the pitch- which is what Spain, Germany, Bayern Munich and Liverpool have done in the past to minimal avail.
Very Surprising that Rodgers sets up with so many defensive players given how 3/4 of Everton's first choice back line are out, plus they're missing Mirallas who's usually been their best winger in the past few seasons. Before the game I called Everton 1-0 or 2-1 but high possibility of a draw at the current rate
@RedDevils Galloway is already good player but Browning is a small risk. Mori is having a good game. I'm not the first to criticize Rodgers, but he probably doesn't know what he's best system is. He simply plays what seems to be working. By the way, Lukaku really shows good fighting spirit.
@Castle Couldn't agree more about him not knowing his best system, he always seems to want to play a 433 which has never shown progressive signs, it's like a rotation of systems for Liverpool in which they can never fit all their best players into one strongest formation. Lukaku is looking brilliant today, Everton have momentum with them and are looking the much better side.
Why has Rodgers gone with 6 defensive players? Is he really that afraid of Everton? Lucky for him Evertons defence is very inexperienced.
@What4 Plus, Everton is really strong up front. They have earned fear from opponents
@What4 Just the style. Very counter attack heavy
Everton is a good team but Sturridge will destroy this team.
Everton should win or draw this at least, but it ain't easy.
I think Everton will be too good for Liverpool, Lukaku to get a few.
a draw
@McAleer you're one of the only best football reviewers on whoscored.com . Its love to see more of your articles and reviews. You do something a full footy round up. Absolutely I agree with you on this.
@njamimaranga- We know that's really you Ben!
everton will out battle a lfc under pressure team. every area is now under performing while everton on the rise. rogers is running out of lives. if carlisle can give 100% effort & finish 1 all, everton will give 100% & score a few more.3 1 lukaku top man
Liverpool is going to play better than Everton today
difficult match for us:our key players are injured and ings is an idiot,still we can win...
@shevchenco Sturridge-Ings pairing will hardly work well against Everton but Ings is hardly an idiot. He can be useful at times, although Benteke is clearly a better option. I wonder were Firmino will play when he comes back. 4-3-1-2 with him as number 10 and Coutinho playing deeper?
@shevchenco ings an idiot? wtf have you been watching.
Everton - Liverpool 3:1
lol at whoscored making a draw predictions for 80% of the Liga and PremierLeague matches lately .... It's really useless to put predictions if it's gonna be systematically a draw unless it's Barcelona - Getafe ... just take away predictions all together instead ot being ridiculous.
Everton playing well atm and Liverpool are up and down. Generally, form doesn't matter that much going into a local derby but I think it will count for a bit in this game. I'll go 3-2 Everton with Lukaku MotM.
It would be nice if both teams were in good form for these kind of games but I'm sure Liverpool will give their everything on the pitch despite their struggles. This derby seems to be a close match but I bet Kone will score the winner after coming in.
i think sturridge will get the better of evertons inexperienced defence . 2-1 liverpool
Everton to stamp their authority on this derby match. Both teams are missing important players, but one team has spent about 100 Million less than the other. I expect the frugal side to walk it. I expect Brendan to claim to have won some sort of moral victory in the post match interview.
@SlippinJimmy "We were a bit unlucky today, were on the wrong end of some questionable refereeing decisions, and we lacked quality in the final third. However, our fans were great even though they booed us off the field, and we really appreciate our medical staff, unlike some clubs. So all in all, we have a lot of good things going for us. We'll be ready for Everton next time when we play them at home..."
@NhinJaa get real
man I can't wait for this derby. Everton have been gaining momentum with their recent performances and they're playing at home against an arguably weak Liverpool side, I'm gonna go for a 2-0 home win COYB!