We have two derbies to look forward to this weekend and there is also the small matter of Manchester United trying to defend with just one centre-back available...
Dave and Ger previewed the weekend's matches on the Friday Football podcast. Listen in above
A Merseyside deluge of goals?
If the Premier League table was based according to goals scored, Everton would currently be second in the league with 11. Along with Chelsea and Arsenal they are the only teams to hit double figures so far this season. But like Liverpool, it is at the other end where problems originate.
Individual errors have been to the fore, with the Daily Mail's Dominic King musing that the summer exertions of key players like goalkeeper Tim Howard and defender Phil Jagielka may be a root cause of the shaky defence when he spoke to Off The Ball this week.
Everton have made nine defensive errors this season according to Squawka, which is more than any other team this season. A league-high five of those mistakes have led to a goal.
Captain Jagielka has been responsible for three of the nine, with centre-back partner Sylvain Distin, Ireland's Seamus Coleman and Howard responsible for one each.
At the ages of 32, 36 and 35 respectively, there are worries that Jagielka, Distin and Howard are on that slippery slope in terms of effectiveness, having served the Everton defence resolutely for so long.
Raheem Sterling and Brendan Rodgers Credit: EPA/PETER POWELL
Any creak in their athleticism and speed will be something Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers will be looking to exploit. That makes Raheem Sterling's pace and thrust vital, given his growing ability to burst into goalscoring abilities from deep. Daniel Sturridge, who is touch and go to take part because of injury, also has the pace to trouble the Everton centre-backs and scored three goals in two games against the Toffees last season. Mario Balotelli has pace and power, but he often seems to rove deep for the ball so Rodgers may have to ask him to play on the shoulder of the defence a bit more, not only to spin in behind but also to occupy Jagielka and Distin for the deep runners like Sterling.
But Liverpool also struggled with the pace and power of West Ham last weekend and have not solved the defensive issues that hampered their persuasive title bid last term.
John Giles was critical of Rodgers's ability to organise a defence when he spoke to Ger last night, while the stats show individual errors continue to be a thorn in their side. Steven Gerrard's blip may be temporary according to The Times' Tony Barrett but he can be got at.
But it is also clear that the Reds press less intensely, with Luis Suarez gone and Mario Balotelli in. A lot of their success last season came when they harried teams early and built often insurmountable leads as they did in the 4 - 0 win against Everton at Anfield with three goals arriving in the first 35 minutes to all but end the contest.
Tomorrow's match is unlikely to be cagey even if Liverpool are more restrained but it is likely that Everton will be able to establish a more sure foothold in comparison to last season's corresponding fixture.
And with James McCarthy stating that Everton are not planning to sit back as they might have done during the David Moyes era, there could be a fair share of goals for both teams tomorrow.
Man United v West Ham
Miguel Delaney was a bit worried about Louis Van Gaal's side on Off The Ball last night in the face of a storm of attacking from the tactical genius that is West Ham manager
Leicester completely exposed the gaps between Man United's centre-backs and full-backs last Saturday and as the Hammers showed against Liverpool, they have pace and power at their disposal in attack.
Problem for Man United is that suspensions and injuries have left them with just one player capable of playing at centre-back - and that's Marcos Rojo who is more comfortable at left-back. So a back four will be tough to build, let alone a back three plus full-backs.
Van Gaal may need to field someone like Daley Blind in central defence and also make sure United are able to remain composed in possession, limiting the time West Ham can mount attacks.
Don't expect a goalless draw, though!
North London derby
As Manchester United showed, thrashing QPR 4 - 0 is equivalent to a false dawn. That's exactly what Tottenham have found out in their own right, failing to win a Premier League match since then.
As a committed disciple of current Marseille manager Marcelo Bielsa, Mauricio Pochettino is known for his appreciation of pressing and high tempo football. Those traits were apparent against QPR. But seeing as pressing a human statue is quite simplistic, Spurs were able to win the ball high up the pitch and break into space.
Top quality teams that press Arsenal in a disciplined fashion and break into the full-back channels and space between midfield and defence can prosper. But Tottenham also have to worry about the pace and penetration that the Gunners now possess in Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck. Particularly if Mesut Ozil is played centrally as he was against Aston Villa last week, drifting to wide positions and looking much more content.
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