Can Everton find a way to hurt Liverpool in derby clash

As the countdown continues to a Merseyside derby that most Everton supporters are probably dreading, how can the Blues’ possibly hurt their rivals on Wednesday night?

If you look at form and on paper then there seems next to no chance of Everton being able to do anything to dent their neighbours’ arrogance and self-confidence.

But, there have been a few examples this season of teams who have found chinks in Liverpool’s armour and were able to exploit them.

It has to be admitted, even though it sticks in the throat to admit it, that the Reds are a tremendous attacking force and they create and score an awful lot of goals.

Their high-energy, pressing game is extremely effective and enables them to play with a very offensive set-up which keeps opponents under almost constant pressure in their own defensive third.

Liverpool can play with what is effectively a five-man attack as full-backs Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold operate basically as wide forwards supplying an attack of exceptional pace and finishing quality.

But, that way of playing does leave them potentially vulnerable to a team exploiting the space behind those two full-backs. To do that you need real pace out wide and enough decent possession to get to those wide players.

And that’s the key you have to get enough ball and then use it very quickly and decisively putting longer, direct balls it into that space and then the wide players to use it effectively supplying strikers who can get into the box and on end of those balls.

While the Toffees’ have plenty weaknesses and shortcomings, one thing they did have earlier this season is pace and width with the additions of Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray. So could they somehow make it count on Wednesday evening and exploit this space and opportunity Liverpool do give you?

Townsend’s form has declined recently but Gray was superb when he came on against Brentford and created a couple of gilt-edged chances with excellent balls into the box, if only he had someone up front who could have taken advantage of those crosses.

The other major weakness of this Liverpool side is that they are defensively vulnerable against big, physical teams who can play fast counter-attacking football.

This was the case when West Ham beat them a few weeks ago. The Hammers got a few breaks but they counter-attacked decisively put Liverpool’s keeper and defence under lots of pressure and that got results.

Another team that has exploited these defensive failings effectively were Everton’s opponents on Sunday: Brentford. The Bees didn’t beat Liverpool but they put the away team’s defence under the cosh with good balls into the box to a powerful centre-forward Ivan Toney.

Everton have counter-attacked effectively this season. So, perhaps a starting eleven with Cenk Tosun and Richarlison starting up front and Gray and Townsend pushed up high out wide might be the way to give the defence quick outlets and take the pressure off them while also offer that sort a threat.

It’s clutching at straws to be honest and would be a brave approach to pick a side of that kind. Given recent evidence you doubt Benitez will do it. But I think if this Blues’ side just sit back in numbers and try and frustrate Liverpool as they tried to at Manchester City, they will tire and the Reds will find a way through anyway.