Liverpool vs. Everton: Derby Decisions For Kenny Dalglish Ahead of Sunday's Game

Kenny Dalglish returns to Anfield for the first time since taking over from Roy Hodgson as manager of Liverpool FC, for his second spell in charge of the Red half of Merseyside.

Of course, Dalglish's final game in charge of the Reds in first first spell in charge was also against Everton, a match which ended 4-4. Sunday's game will doubtless be no less dramatic—after all, a Merseyside derby at any time of the season is always a fiery and tempestuous affair—but Dalglish, at this time still full of optimism and vigour for his position, will hope that the final outcome is far better for himself and his team than the last time he managed in this fixture.

Liverpool have some decisions to make too, regarding the team.

For the midweek rearranged fixture away to Blackpool, Dalglish switched to a system which was more akin to a 4:3:3 than any system Liverpool have played recently, with Milan Jovanovic, making his first league start since the Birmingham match in September. 

For the past few months, Maxi Rodriguez has been preferred, albeit under the previous manager, for one of the wide midfield berths, with Joe Cole also missing out on much game time due to a combination of injuries and being out of favour. After recovering from an ankle knock sustained a couple of weeks ago, Cole must now be in contention for a spot in the lineup against Everton, especially with club captain Steven Gerrard serving the second of his three-match suspension.

Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel have been been paired in the centre of defence for both of Liverpool's games under Kenny Dalglish, while Fabio Aurelio should come back into the side at left full back after being rested for the game at Blackpool.

Pepe Reina is the main candidate to be captain for the Reds in the derby in the absence of both Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.

In midfield, the calls for Glen Johnson to be given a run on the right side of midfield intensify from some sections of fans and media, though he was used at left back against Blackpool. With Martin Kelly impressing at right back over the past couple of games, there is a chance that Johnson may indeed be pushed into midfield, though it could largely depend on which formation Dalglish decides to go with against their closest rivals.

After Fernando Torres found his shooting boots again against Blackpool where he scored inside the opening couple of minutes, there is some discussion over who will partner him in attack at Anfield against Everton.

Should Johnson play on the right side, Dirk Kuyt will be the likeliest player to play alongside or behind Torres, while Cole, Dani Pacheco, Ryan Babel and David Ngog will all also hope to get the nod from the start. Pacheco has yet to be involved in the first team under Dalglish but impressed in a reserve game with his manager watching, as he scored one and set up another during the second string's victory over Sunderland.

Whatever line up he selects for the game, Dalglish is sure to be demanding the passion and commitment from his players which is required in a game of this magnitude. Belief has been a key word of late with Dalglish claiming his players are suffering from a lack of confidence.

Victory against neighbours Everton would go some way to replenishing some of this confidence and would give "King" Kenny his first victory as Reds manager since taking over. Three points could lift Liverpool as high as ninth, depending on other results, and would provide a good foundation for Dalglish and his Reds to build on ahead of what should be a winnable run of games against Wolves (a), Fulham (h) and Stoke (h).

Preferred Liverpool line up: (4:1:4:1) Reina; Kelly, Skrtel, Agger, Aurelio; Lucas; Johnson, Meireles, Cole, Kuyt; Torres. Subs: Gulacsi, Kyrgiakos, Shelvey, Maxi, Jovanovic, Babel, Ngog.

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