Daniel Sturridge return a 'massive lift' for Reds in Saturday Night Football showdown
Friday 6 February 2015 08:11, UK
Steven Gerrard will be out to make a mark in his last Merseyside derby, says Jamie Carragher.
The Liverpool midfielder is set to feature in his 33rd – and final – clash with Everton on Saturday Night Football, ahead of a summer departure to LA Galaxy.
Gerrard scored in the 1-1 draw at Anfield in September to make it 10 goals in Merseyside showdowns, and Sky Sports expert Carragher says his former team-mate will be desperate to have a similar impact at the weekend.
"Stevie will want to go out with a bang," said Carragher, who played in 30 Merseyside derbies during his Liverpool career.
"I was aware of my last derby, but we didn’t win it – it was 0-0 at Anfield.
"I remember Stevie’s first goal at Goodison – earlier in his career at the Gwladys Street End, when he had a bit of a set-to with the Everton fans while celebrating. He’d take that."
Stevie will want to go out with a bang. I remember his first goal at Goodison - earlier in his career at the Gwladys Street End, when he had a bit of a set-to with the Everton fans while celebrating. He’d take that.
The Reds go into Saturday’s clash in a rich vein of form, having gone seven unbeaten in the Premier League after last weekend’s 2-0 victory over West Ham.
Rodgers’ men are also still in the hunt for a trophy after Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho scored late goals against Bolton to set up a fifth-round FA Cup clash with Crystal Palace.
Everton, meanwhile, won at Crystal Palace last time out and are on a run of three league matches without defeat, so Carragher is expecting a full-blooded, entertaining encounter.
"Liverpool are in great form, and Everton are starting to come back now," he added.
"The Crystal Palace result was huge, not just because of where they are in the table, but because Palace had been on fire since Alan Pardew had taken over. It has all the makings of a great game.
"Everton have struggled defensively this season, but I think after John Stones has come back into the side, there has been a a bit of a difference.
"But he will have his work cut out with Daniel Sturridge back – the best English striker around.
"Him coming back is a massive lift, and with Raheem Sterling dropping back alongside Coutinho and Lallana it looks exciting.
"There will be goals in this. It is a difficult one to call, but I am siding with Liverpool as they are in better form."
Watch Everton v Liverpool live on Sky Sports 1 from 4.45pm on Saturday.
Jamie Carragher was speaking at an enrolment day for The Jamie Carragher Sports & Learning Academy, a vocational course aimed at 16-19-year-olds who wish to combine progression in football – either playing or coaching – with physical education, sports coaching and sports development.
