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Resurgent Liverpool FC will be too strong but Everton will run them close, says Jamie Carragher
05:00, 6 February 2015
By James Pearce
Kop legend wishes he was in the thick of it at Goodison on Saturday
Some 21 months have passed since Jamie Carragher brought the curtain down on his illustrious Anfield career.
Since pulling on a Liverpool shirt for the 737th and final time in May 2013 the legendary centre-back has gone on to establish himself as a highly-respected TV pundit and analyst.
But come 5.30pm on Saturday evening he will be wishing he was away from the warmth of the studio. What Carragher would give to be part of the 224th Merseyside derby at Goodison Park rather than watching from afar.
“This is the kind of fixture that makes me wish I was still playing,” Carragher told the ECHO.
“It was always my favourite away fixture. The derby was always my favourite game.
“Goodison always had something extra. We were always big favourites to win at Anfield against Everton. But at Goodison it was more of a 50-50 game.
“It was more on edge. Their players and their fans fancied their chances.
“With the atmosphere as well, you always felt that the world was against you. It was like going into the lion’s den. I loved it.
“I’ve got some great memories of playing at Goodison, We had a fantastic record there and hopefully that will continue for this Liverpool side.”
CARRA’S SALUTE TO RODGERS
Carragher, who won 16 and drew nine of the 30 derbies he played in, believes Brendan Rodgers’ side are running into form at the perfect time.
The Reds have taken 17 points out of the last 21 on offer in the Premier League - climbing to within four points of the Champions League spots.
Carragher says his former manager deserves great credit for finding a formation which has improved Liverpool are both ends of the field.
“Liverpool are playing really well,” he said.
“The Chelsea semi-final games were fantastic. If Daniel Sturridge had been fit two or three weeks earlier then Liverpool would have got through to the final. No doubt about that.
“They’ve bounced back from that disappointment by beating West Ham and Bolton, and this upturn goes back to when the manager changed to three at the back.
“It’s been a revelation and has transformed their season. The system seems to suit the players there at the moment and results are going well.
“It’s certainly got the best out of Philippe Coutinho. We’ve seeing the best of him now and they’re also looking much better defensively.
“Credit to the manager for thinking of something different and coming up with that system.”
REDS’ ATTACKING TALENT WILL DO SOME DAMAGE
Everton, who had endured a miserable eight-game winless streak, lifted the gloom with last weekend’s 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace. However, Carragher believes Roberto Martinez’s men will have their work cut out trying to contain the Reds. Rodgers must decide whether to unleash fit again striker Daniel Sturridge from the start or bring him off the bench.
“That was a massive result for Everton at Palace,” Carragher said.
“They had been on a really poor run. They will have taken a lot of confidence from that win.
“I really like John Stones. Since he came into the team they have tightened up a lot. He’s going to be a top player and he has made a big difference to them.
“But Everton have had problems with conceding goals this season. And when you look at the attacking talent Liverpool have now, they look very threatening.
“Brendan Rodgers has options. Whether he starts with Sturridge or Raheem Sterling up front, then he has the likes of Coutinho, Adam Lallana and Steven Gerrard as well. Sturridge coming back is a massive lift.
“Liverpool’s creativity is back and Sturridge should provide that finishing touch because that’s the only thing that’s been lacking.”
SAKHO AND CAN SO SOLID
Another feature of Liverpool’s recent revival has been their new found defensive resilience. In their past eight matches they have conceded just four goals.
Mamadou Sakho and Emre Can have shone in a three-man backline alongside the long-serving Martin Skrtel. Carragher was critical of Can, who inherited the Bootle-born defender’s No 23 shirt, after he gave away a penalty in the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea but he admits the young German has put that error firmly behind him.
“I just felt at the time he didn’t look comfortable in terms of the defending side of things,” Carragher said.
“I criticised him after the first Chelsea game but since then he’s been outstanding. He brings the ball out, he adds something and in a back three he will do less defending as he won’t get called upon as much,
“You could say he’s proved me wrong over the last four games in terms of his defending. He’s not been caught out at any time. He was brilliant at Chelsea going forward and defending. Credit to him, he’s doing really well and he’s carrying on that proud tradition of the No 23 very well!
“As for Sakho, there were definitely questions asked about him last year. People weren’t sure about him and it was the same at the start of this season.
“You have to be honest, the manager probably wasn’t sure either because that’s why he went and spent £20million on Dejan Lovren.
“There’s no doubt that in the last six to eight weeks, Sakho’s been outstanding. He really impressed me against West Ham. He never shirked a challenge.
“It’s always difficult to play against them. We know what it’s like to play against Andy Carroll - he gave Emre Can and Martin Skrtel a whack, but he didn’t go near Sakho.
“Playing in a three suits Sakho. When you watch him he actually looks awkward so people automatically think he’s not good on the ball.
“But when you look at his pass completion rate his stats are very good. He’s in fine form.”
BIG TEST FOR RESURGENT MIGNOLET
Sakho and Can are operating in front of a goalkeeper who is enjoying a new lease of life. Simon Mignolet was dominant once again in Wednesday’s dramatic FA Cup replay win at Bolton.
But Carragher says Saturday will be a tough examination for the Belgium international who has taken the first steps towards winning over his critics.
Rodgers’ men must deal with the threat of Romelu Lukaku, who scored twice against the Reds in last season’s thrilling 3-3 draw at Goodison.
“I’m pleased for Simon Mignolet,” Carragher said.
“It’s not been easy for him because he’s taken a lot of criticism – from myself included.
“When you are Liverpool goalkeeper there are a lot of questions asked and a lot of eyes on you. I think in the last 18 months he hasn’t quite made people fully believe that he will be a Liverpool No 1 for five or six years.
“But if you look at his form over the past month or so, you would say he looks like a future Liverpool No 1 who could play for the club for a long time. He has looked like one of the best keepers in the league for the past five or six weeks. Long may it continue.
“Is this a purple patch or what we’re going to see consistently between now and the end of the season? There’s no doubt that he’s playing for his future. If he continues this form he could still be the No 1 next season but if he goes back to how he performed at the start of the season then Liverpool will be looking for another goalkeeper.
“It’s a big test for him at Goodison. The crowd will try to target him and how he deals with set-pieces is going to be very important. Everton are a big team and they will look to put him under pressure. Hopefully Mignolet will come through it.”
STEVIE’S DERBY FAREWELL
Saturday will be Steven Gerrard’s 33rd Merseyside derby and barring a meeting between the clubs in the Europa League in the coming months it will also be the last time he locks horns with the Blues.
Carragher knows from all the battles they shared how a white-hot reception at Goodison always brings the best out of Gerrard.
“Stevie will want to go out with a bang,” Carragher said.
“He will be desperate to make his last derby one to remember.
“It would be lovely, wouldn’t it? He’s probably got it pictured in his head already – getting the winner in front of the Gwladys Street.
“I remember his first goal at the Gwladys Street end when he put his finger to his lips. Maybe we’ll see something similar again. That would be the fairytale ending for him.
“My last derby finished 0-0. Stevie will want more than that, especially with it being at Goodison.”
REDS WILL CLAIM THE BRAGGING RIGHTS
Liverpool are unbeaten in the last nine derbies and Carragher expects that run to continue with a narrow win for the visitors on Saturday.
“It’s not far off a 50-50 game,” Carragher said.
“I saw Everton play Manchester City at home a few weeks ago and even though they were in the middle of a bad run they played really well and could have got more out of it.
“It will be close on Saturday but I just fancy Liverpool to edge it with the form they are in and the attacking options they have. Liverpool to win 2-1.”
