Rather than chasing a Champions League place, after three successive Premier League defeats, Liverpool go into the Merseyside Derby looking over their shoulders at neighbour Everton.
A 1-0 defeat to Sunderland at the weekend leaves Liverpool just three points ahead of Everton, while they'll kick off on Tuesday a massive 13 points behind fourth-place Arsenal.
Once again, Liverpool's latest loss showed up their inability to turn their dominance in possession into registering on the score sheet. A paltry 30 goals scored in the league this campaign, far lower than any team above them, speaks volumes about the difficulties the Reds have endured.
Everton’s defence has conceded just 28 goals, only two goals more than Liverpool’s defence, and has been their pillar of strength. Although Jagielka is fit and played a minor part in the match against Tottenham, Moyes will stick to the successful pairing of Heitinga and Distin in the centre.
Moyes will certainly not become over-confident going into the game at Anfield. The Everton boss has yet to taste victory at Liverpool's illustrious home in his long tenure at Everton.
At the very least Dalglish should be able to get his players to display more energy in this local derby. But Everton will go to Anfield on a high, knowing that they have rarely had a better chance to return from across Stanley Park with all three points.
Derby games are often unpredictable, though, and the Merseyside variety is also frequently more edgy than explosive. Couple that with both sides' inability to find the back of the net on a regular basis this season and this contest could well fizzle out into a bore draw.
Don’t be surprised if an Evertonian’s head or Suarez’s brilliance decides the match either way. The Liverpool striker, especially, has been due one piece of magic for a long time.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Carragher, Enrique, Adam, Spearing, Downing, Gerrard, Bellamy, Suarez, Doni, Kelly, Coates, Shelvey, Henderson, Rodriguez, Kuyt, Carroll.
Everton (from): Howard, Heitinga, Baines, Distin, Hibbert, Neville, Cahill, Drenthe, Osman, Fellaini, Stracqualursi, Jelavic, Coleman, Barkley, Jagielka, Anichebe, Gueye, Mucha, Rodwell, Pienaar, Vellios.
Red's Fury™ Prediction: LIVERPOOL 1-1 EVERTON
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