Everton vs. Liverpool

[ralph]

Everton v Liverpool
Saturday 09 September 2006 12:45
McFADDEN STRUGGLING FOR TOFFEES

Everton forward James McFadden looks set to miss the 204th Merseyside derby against Liverpool after suffering a hamstring injury playing for Scotland in midweek.

EVERTON v LIVERPOOL: CLASSICS

McFadden was injured in the first half of Wednesday’s victory over Lithuania, and his absence for Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off will open the way for James Beattie to return to the side alongside Andy Johnson up front.

Everton’s other players on international duty - Phil Neville, Johnson, Simon Davies, David Weir and Gary Naysmith - have all returned to the club unscathed after playing for their countries.

WEEKEND FIXTURES: HEAD-TO-HEAD

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has a tough choice for his striking options when the Anfield men visit neighbours Everton in the Merseyside derby.

Peter Crouch and Dirk Kuyt both scored for their countries in midweek, while Craig Bellamy played well against Brazil for Wales and Robbie Fowler - left behind at Melwood with most of his colleagues on international duty - has had a full two weeks of training to regain peak fitness.

Liverpool expect to still be without Jamie Carragher and John Arne Riise with ankle injuries, which suggests that Daniel Agger and Fabio Aurelio will be in the back four at Goodison Park. Mohamed Sissoko is available again after a knee injury.

BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP PREVIEW

Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Agger, Aurelio, Gerrard, Sissoko, Alonso, Luis Garcia, Pennant, Gonzalez, Zenden, Dudek, Bellamy, Crouch, Fowler, Kuyt, Warnock.

Everton (from): Howard, Neville, Lescott, Yobo, Stubbs, Weir, Naysmith, Hibbert, Osman, Cahill, Davies, Arteta, Carsley, Johnson, Beattie, Wright, Valente, Anichebe.

[African]

3-0 Everton. What a performance. They will be celebrating for a bit. Home and in bed by nightfall I hope.