Everton vs Liverpool

Watford beat them convincingly not long before the lockdown. They played with confidence on their own patch and were in Liverpool's face. It worked, and with a sprinkling of luck ended up worthy winners.

If we do the same the footballing gods can work their magic. We've got more in our locker than Watford so if the lads can match that relentless controlled aggression we can beat them.

The attitude has to be:

“This is Goodison Park, home of Everton Football Club. To win, you will have to kill me.”

If any team gets all the points from our patch, there should be blood and guts (from both sides) on the pitch after the game.

Anything less won't do. We have to have the confidence and belief with the right attitude we can beat anyone on our patch.

I hope Digne shows his top form after an average season and that Sigurdsson finally makes an impact. Similar hopes apply to Pickford, Seamus, and Keane.

It would not surprise me if Klopp throws in a couple of the teenagers who embarrassed our players in January.

I hope the officials will not revert to type and hand the RS their customary dodgy free kicks and penalties.

Got to be the last few games of their Everton careers for some, surely they will all fight and give all for the shirt on Sunday.

All stay safe and well.

Pickford
Coleman - Holgate - Keane - Digne
Sidibe - Gomes - Sigurdsson - Bernard
DCL - Richarlison

Simply the keyboard touchings of a simpleton.

27 points left, European places in play, a derby.

Everything to play for.

But.. of course I'll be hoping if it goes ahead we'll get 3 points.

I think Carlo gives too much praise to Liverpool. His words remind me of Martinez. We have to be perfect ('perfect' is unrealistic as there is no such thing), more than 100% (what.., how is that going to work?), they are one of the best teams in the world...

I'm all for respecting opponents but that's far too much from our manager for my liking.

I seriously would like to see Baningime get a run.

The problem is these pointless pressers. What's he going to say – “They're a bag of shite?” Everyone always says the same cliches unless, like Richarlison, they go off task a bit but then they're criticized for winding up the opponents. I'd prefer they say nothing. Release injury updates, announce the team then shut up until you release your autobiography.

Do your job, Carlo, and motivate the shower of cowards into beating the shite

As for the 12th man, we're handicapped with the bent officials.

I can't see us beating them, simple. We were crap against Chelsea... WHY?

I don't think Ferguson will be allowed to say a word, the story about Ferguson and the players having murder in the dressing room after the last derby was fabricated, nonsense.

It's Carlo's show now, he's the main man, not Ferguson.

COYB

It looks like Minecraft without the high resolution.

There's something just fucking wrong about it all. I know it keeps the money flowing, but I'm struggling to see how football can recover from this. It just looks and feels forced and irrelevant.

With hindsight, the authorities may well regret not putting this season out of its misery and starting afresh when the crowds can return. I'm losing my love of the game with every match they show.

Nothing like a last-gasp winner when it comes to sending common sense out of the window.

On the other hand, our away record has been pretty awful. I've watched a few Bundesliga games as well as the handful Premier League ones shown. Fortunately or not, perhaps it really boils down to the more skilful team winning but perhaps Arsenal an anomaly today? Unless of course you think Arsenal really are hopeless now!

Like Michael Lynch, I get no pleasure from watching a game without a crowd and the game can't survive in this format for very long as people will eventually find better things to do.

That said, I am in no mood to talk sense as I have just been swapping emails with an old mate who is a red and I struggled to put together any kind of decent argument for anything other than an emphatic win for them.

Please, for once give us a break and perform!!

Unlike his gaffer, Richarlison got right in the face of the gobshites' main man. Good on yer, son. It's that kind of attitude that's needed from the rest of the mob.

Er, where shall I send the flowers?

Nothing about the Blues whatsoever, except it's being played at Everton. But plenty from Klopp. I take it we are sending a team out!

It's Father's Day today and I have this tiny hope that he will be there in his seat in the top balcony tonight, in spirit, cheering his beloved Everton on to victory.

What a Father's Day gift this would be for my Dad who has been through a lot of pain over the last few weeks, loosing his Dad.

Come on Everton!! Get out there, fight, battle them, and bloody beat them for once! COYB!

As for the game itself; well, once more, we are the sacrificial lamb being offered to the football gods as the RS regain their god-given title. It's sickening but that's where we are and where we will be for the foreseeable future.

Beautifully expressed but remind me never to pee you off!

The last time I remember the media being so one-sided was before the Spurs FA Cup semi-final.

Fingers crossed!

He's an Everton Legend, in his own right, and he will sit proud along with the Everton immortals, looking down from a Goodison Park in Heaven.

Hopefully today the players will be up for this game.

Going to be a tough contest for sure and much will depend on Calvert-Lewin's and Richarlison's ability to find space and hold the ball up. Wide midfielders will have to work extremely hard and, unpopular as it is, I'd be tempted to put Richarlison on the right for his insane work ethic and defensive ability.

I'd love to start Gordon on the right but not sure he has the defensive know-how. Or maybe Carlo will opt for a cheeky 4-3-3 to contest the middle more rigourously, though doing so would give free rein to TAA and Robertson. Very tricky. Glad it's Carlo making the choices and not me!!

What the obsession is with hiring their ex-players, I don't know. All I heard from day one of lockdown was how unfair it would be on Liverpool if the season didn't finish, yet I don't remember such a fuss about us missing out when Thatcher took all clubs out of European competition.

You can bet your boots if it had been the other lot, they would have organised a petition that, when clubs were allowed back into Europe, they would automatically have got one of the places irrespective where they finished in the league. Maybe today, Sky might have a token Blue on the panel, but he would still be outnumbered by their ex-players, no doubt.

I hope we adopt a Dogs of War approach today, get in their faces from the off, and keep it going for 90 minutes. And please no last-minute gifts! With Dean in charge, we will get nothing from him, and who would bet against him giving them a dubious penalty, and we know VAR won't come to our rescue.

Expect no favours tonight from the cabal that control football.

6-0 to the shite and all of our Father's Days ruined!

I honestly feel we'd have a better chance with Big Dunc's Dogs of War approach than Ancelotti's more measured approach today; however, Ancelotti's approach is clearly better long term.

It's just that we'll have to take a few beatings until we can get the right player in to play his style properly. Our best hope is a quick start to catch them off guard, luck and a moment of quality to finally lay the hoodoo. COYB

Let's hope so because his performances prior to lockdown veered from disengaged to needing a zimmer frame.

Jump into the frying pan.

It's also a big, big day for all American TW Blues. For the first time, ever I believe, we can comment on the game without the condescending remarks of how we watch on telly. A level Brit-'Merican analysis playing field. Who'd of ever thunk it?

As Bill all the way back at 8 says, we'll win. Why? Because God has a sense of humo(u)r, and no fans will be there to go crazy when we finally break this hoodoo.

UTFB, it's go time.

Condolences. Here's hoping we do your Granddad, your Dad, and you, proud.

61 years a season ticket holder. Fantastic.

My red mate has told me Richarlison has done Klopp's team-talk, which perfectly illustrates why we should never give these horrible self-centred Liverpudlians anything, all because he said he didn't think the Liverpool player was the best in the world in his position?

Klopp let his false guard down at Goodison last year, hopefully it's time for the red media and all the sycophants to let theirs down, that's something we'd all enjoy! 🤞

I haven't missed the Football as much as I thought I would have, but miss the banter and the regular post mortems on TW. It's like over here with the Pubs being shut, I don't miss the ale that much, but do miss having a crack with the lads that are regulars.

I honestly think we will take something from this game – maybe even 3 points – but the RS must be made to feel like they've walked into a fucking "derecho".

Come on, you blue boys – you've got it in you. Let's have 'em.

(Oh ... ditto Derek, btw. Looking forward to the forum/banter later.)

20 quid on us to win and Richarlison to score!!!

I think Richarlison can exploit their attacking full-back from a wider position and It might also throw the shite's captain off-balance. He will have been winding himself up all day for a very different battle after Richarlison's comments yesterday.

I also wonder if playing behind close doors may help Kean to relax a little and find something he hasn't been able to find since he got here? The kid has been losing credibility faster than Dominic Cummings. A goal, an assist, or even a good game against this crew would go a long way to restoring all that.

The RS are such overwhelming favorites, I think Ancelotti would be entitled to see the game as a free swing. One where he can really throw caution to the wind and have a proper go at them.

Pickford
Coleman Keane Mina Digne
Sidibé Holgate Gomes Bernard
Richarlison Calvert-Lewin

If Mina is fit I would rather put Mason into midfield than have Sigurdsson in there. It's unlikely Carlo will go for that but I think it gives us a better midfield.

There needs to be a player in there who compliments what Gomes brings to the table. Holgate can best do that. Throwing Sigurdsson in there will affect Gomes's game and will weaken us. I hope Carlo has seen enough to be bold.

If Yerry Mina is not fit enough, try Beni Baningime in there, who would still give us a better-balanced team.

If he plays one of his best games, then we could maybe get a draw.

Especially starting a game; I suppose until we get better, he is an option from the bench though.

It's not that I think Tom is necessarily going to have a glittering future, rather that that position is going to be absolutely key today.

If we go with a two of Sigurdsson and Gomes, I think we will be destroyed. We've got to have high energy closing down for the whole game and I think, from the personnel, he is best suited to this.

Last time we played the Red Shite, the midfield was overrun. I'd rather see some combination of Gomes, Davies, Holgate and Bernard played than playing with a couple of enthusiasm-killing statues like Sigurdsson and Schneiderlin.

I'd also like to see Keane at the back, when he played at Burnley and in the World Cup he was clearly a class act, but there is something about the style usually played – or maybe it's the lack of chemistry amongst the players – which doesn't seem to work for him.

Am I right in thinking this hasn't happened under Carlo's tenure?

Whatever formation and personnel we pick will have significant weaknesses. The tactics, attitude and fitness levels need to be very good. I would also like to see Big Dunc attempting to intimidate from the sidelines, although of course there is no crowd to gee up.

Okay, we suffered the real curse of Everton 'luck' in the Pickford howler a couple of years ago and the FA Cup semi-final 2012, but we have not deserved to win or controlled a game in about 19 attempts. We need someone in the middle who will want to go and win everything, but we just don't have that type!

And then I realise, this most definitely is not a big game for Carlo.

Looking at the stats, they are twice as good as us in every department, we are well up against it.

Can we knock them out of their stride? Well, yeah, it's football... but it's not likely.

The lad has played well there for 120 minutes. At Old Trafford under Duncan when again we were down to the bare bones. And 30 minutes at Watford when Carlo reshuffled the pack after Delph's sending off.

Mason is one of the shining lights this season in his default centre-back position. If I'm not mistaken, he is one of the few to play every minute of every game under Carlo there.

Leave him where he is and don't try and be cute playing him as a defensive midfield, capable as he is.

As for the match itself, this has got to be the lowest-key derby game ever. No week-long anticipation. No sleepless night. No tingle of anticipation this morning on waking.

Looking forward to the match and will definitely watch it with my usual intensity. But it remains all about 'Meh!' to me.

We must have Holgate in defence against them, otherwise we have no pace there at all which would be suicidal.

WATFORD 3 - 0 LIVERPOOL.

Pickford
Colman Holgate Keane
Sidibé Digne
Gomes Iwobi Sigurdsson
Calvert-Lewin Richarlison

Expect to see Bernard, Baines, Davies, Kean all used off the bench. Maybe another if needed (but we don't have many senior options – Gordon may get a chance, depending on the score).

Is that from a reliable source or just a rumour you've heard?

Holgate at the back is a good player and well up to the standard required in the Premier League. Holgate in midfield is an outstanding player.

On topic, but on adaptable players, I just about remember Sandy Brown (his introduction was often preceded by chants of "Bring on the Animal") who appeared to be able to substitute pretty effectively for any position in the team, including goalkeeper.

And Tony (87), I think you are correct that Sigurdsson should be selected. But only if he's wearing a red shirt, he's a total liability in a blue one.

They test their opposing sides and, more often than not, the opposition are lazy and don't do their job. This is Everton all over: players go missing, players don't follow the runner and they give teams too much time to set themselves or pick a pass. The fundamentals, which haven't improved with the last few managers.

I just hope time off has given them an appetite and a desire. Cut out the mistakes and we have more than enough to beat them even without the 12th man Goodison crowd. My team, if fit, would be...

Pickford,
Coleman, Keane, Mina, Digne,
Sidibé, Holgate, Gomes, Gordon,
Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison.

Make it happen, Blues!!!

Well, I hope it is... but the lad who told me is genuine.

Pickford
Coleman
Holgate
Keane
Digne
Gordon
Davies
Gomes
Baningime
Richarlison
Calvert-Lewin

Richarlison and Gordon to occupy their full-backs and flood the midfield, ready to break forward when able. With five subs, they can really go for it.

It also gives us pretty much a full team of guys who will try their damndest to win.

The previous two games, we didn't compete enough, so atonement is well over due.

It will be interesting to see who starts and any surprises outside of the players who are injured.

COYB

There's other players of that quality around, but you have to get them to come to your club. We'll see how many years they can keep that up. Great as their current team is, it's unproven that they can sustain it.

Anyway, the ascendant club is and has been Man City. Barring their owners getting bored and selling, I think we're seeing that club in the early years of a Man Utd-under-Ferguson run of success.

I watched Howard's Way again this morning. Colin Harvey's reaction and words when talking about Howard's death say everything about this club. Given that, nothing is impossible.

Along with others, including senior people at Everton (so we're told), I've often looked to Atletico Madrid as a model. Fighting for space against the biggest club in the world, they have developed a mentality which is hard, canny and fearless. It can be done. Building from within and prioritising our youth – with astute buys – may well be a start.

I know our record with young players is very limited, like most Premier League clubs, but you have to truly believe in it as a policy and organise accordingly.

Beni Baningime could be a seriously good player. If not now, when?

They will throw all their eggs in the one basket for the title next season, maybe try for the FA Cup and play the kids in the League Cup.

Anyone really hate the cheesy accolades some players lay on their managers in the media, especially when they are starters. eg, Trent-Benedict Arnold today.

13th place with only 9 games left with the players we have and the manager we have, compared to other teams around us is very poor, and shows how difficult it will be to either buy or sell players. This season is starting to look as if every point is essential, just to maintain a mid-table position.

For those who like their footy history and The Beautiful Game, today June 21 is the 50th anniversary of the 1970 World Cup final, Brazil 4 Italy 1.

The stuff of legends. So many great players. Really nice to see and hear from so many of them today.

Not expecting a Beautiful Game today. Just give me a win, any which way.

Just get the job done Everton.

It's more this "dominate for years" business. I realize it was just one guy's opinion about the RS "dominating" and I respect anything Rooney says about footy. He knows his stuff. I think he's wrong, here, though.

For fun, let's see where the RS are at just 4 short years from now. Firmino, Mane, Salah, and Henderson won't be the core of the team then. For another, will Klopp still be there? He's in his 5th year now and his max at any club is 7 years.

"For years"? We'll see. And I doubt they will.

Reflects the fact that they have better players but also they will get all the decisive decisions

Anyway back to Everton, be nice to see Gordon given a run out, the no crowd might actually help the likes of Gordon and Davies, I just hope against hope Pickford does not have a brain fart moment.

Time to move forward now blues, it's time to start believing in ourselves again, and time to stop these smug kopite gobshites laughing at us

Brian@112, Villa don't agree with us!