#2 Ramiro Funes Mori v Divock Origi
Trending
Like Lallana, Origi is also in stunning form. He has five goals in his last five games for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp will hope that it will continue on Monday.
Origi has all the tools to become a top-class striker. He is strong and holds the ball up well, but he is terrific with the ball at his feet as well. His pace could well be a huge asset against an Everton defence not particularly blessed in that respect.
Jagielka’s suspension adds some spice to the game as well. It means that Funes Mori is almost certain to start and he has bad history with the Liverpool fans.
He made an awful tackle on Origi, damaging the Belgian’s ankle ligaments in that 4-0 thrashing in April. He kissed the Everton badge on his way off the field after being sent off and that did not go down too well with the Reds in attendance at Anfield on that day.
Also read: Top 5 individual performances in the Merseyside Derby
Origi had his progress stalled by that injury. He did come back for a substitute appearance in the Europa League final, but did not reach the heights that he was at before the injury. He didn’t have a great Euro 2016 with Belgium, where he missed a few sitters.
But now he is back in shape and firing for the Liverpool first team. On a personal level, the young Belgian would want to show Funes Mori that the challenge in April is well and truly behind him and that he can go back to tormenting Everton like he did in the first half at Anfield on Monday.
The gauntlet was set by his terrible tackle in April. Origi’s response will be seen on Monday night.
#3 Romelu Lukaku v Ragnar Klavan
Klavan has had a solid 135 minutes of football under his belt, since replacing Dejan Lovren at half-time against West Ham last weekend. Especially against Middlesbrough, he stood up to the challenge brilliantly, particularly in the first half.
It was important for Liverpool that Klavan covered for his full-back on the left side. Adama Traore’s sheer pace meant that there had to be two or three players in close proximity to him at all times. Traore did beat Milner at will on quite a few occasions but apart from a couple of occasions, he could not get the better of the big Estonian.
In Lukaku, Klavan faces a strong, bulldozing striker who, on his day, can be an absolute nightmare to defend against. Lukaku is strong, he shrugs defenders off with his sheer strength, he is skilful with the ball at his feet and he is rapid.
So there is enough of a challenge for Klavan to have his hands full. But the big Estonian has shown that he does not get easily fazed and his composure and ability to keep his head when under pressure will be tested to the hilt by the Belgian.
But for Lukaku to trouble Klavan, Everton’s creative players and the wide players will have to have a good game. The onus is on Ross Barkley to ensure that he provides the big Belgian with the service required to flourish on the big night. Kevin Mirallas and Enner Valencia are expected to start on the wings, and Ronald Koeman would love for his wingers to go old-fashioned and pump crosses in for Lukaku to attack.
Milner will be Liverpool’s left-back again and Klavan will again have a little extra responsibility as he will have to cover for Milner on the occasions when he gets caught out of position, as players playing in unnatural positions tend to.
