Coutinho to test Kenny and other Liverpool v Everton key battles

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  • Liverpool and Everton are set to clash in the 229th Merseyside Derby at Anfield on Sunday.

    The Reds, who go into the fixture against their city neighbours in blistering form, will be looking to extend their dominance over the Toffees.

    Indeed, Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 14 games in all competitions against the Blues – with Everton’s last win against the old enemy coming way back in October 2010.

    If that didn’t make uncomfortable enough reading for Sam Allardyce’s men, then to further illustrate Liverpool’s stranglehold over this fixture, Everton’s last victory at Anfield was in September 1999. Since then, the Blues have endured 17 winless Premier League trips across Stanley Park.

    With high-flying Liverpool being firm favourites in this one, we look at three key player battles that could go a long way to deciding where the game will be won and lost.

    Who do you think will win at Anfield?

    Join the conversation – get in touch with your thoughts via Twitter and Facebook.

    PHILIPPE COUTINHO V JONJOE KENNY

    The brilliant Brazilian, fresh from his hat-trick in the 7-0 mid-week Champions League demolition of Spartak Moscow, is set to patrol the left-hand side and while he is likely to inter-change with Sadio Mane – expect Coutinho to be the main threat from that side of the pitch.

    The playmaker caused Everton problems last season and scored the Reds’ second goal. The visitors are going to have a tough job stopping a man brimming with confidence and the scale of his influence on the match will go a long way in deciding the outcome. Charged with the task of stopping him is boyhood blue, Jonjoe Kenny – a scouser who is getting ready to experience his very first Merseyside Derby.

    The 20-year-old has been one of the few standout performers for the Toffees this season and became a fixture in the side under David Unsworth – and now Allardyce.

    What Kenny may lack in quality, he makes up for in desire – something that has commanded him instant respect from supporters. But, come Sunday, this is the biggest test of his career so far. The England under-20 World Cup winner will truly have to go some way to stop the likes of Coutinho and Mane in their tracks.

    Everton's English midfielder Jonjoe Kenny (L) takes on Huddersfield Town's German striker Elias Kachunga (R) during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Huddersfield Town at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on December 2, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Paul ELLIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)

    Academy graduate Kenny has impressed this term.

    JORDAN HENDERSON V GYLFI SIGURDSSON

    While some players would still be reeling from being left out of a crucial Champions League clash, Jordan Henderson isn’t that type of guy. A consummate professional, the Reds skipper would have obviously been disappointed to miss Wednesday’s success at Anfield, but expect the 27-year-old to come back in and lead the side come Sunday.

    The Sunderland-born man will have the job of cutting off Everton’s biggest creative threat in the form of Gylfi Sigurdsson. While you could also throw Wayne Rooney into this bracket, the Iceland international is set to play just off lone striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin with Rooney on the left, meaning Sigurdsson will be the man trying to open an in-form Reds back-line from central areas.

    The ex-Swansea man hasn’t necessarily got the pace to go past people but he has got the ability to pick a pass, score goals from range and make his way cleverly into the box – two examples of which we saw in the defeat against Southampton and win over Huddersfield.

    He finally looks like justifying his steep price tag in the summer having been given the freedom to roam under Allardyce. It should be an intriguing battle but expect Henderson to monitor Sigurdsson well from his defensive midfield role.

    LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: Jordan Henderson of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on November 25, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

    Henderson is set to return to the Liverpool XI.

    MOHAMED SALAH V PHIL JAGIELKA

    How do you go about shackling the Premier League’s best performer, and for that matter, arguably the most in-form player in Europe this season? Not many have the answer to that one…

    Everton could be set to recall their experienced captain, despite the 35-year-old missing the past two Premier League games – in which the Toffees have secured back-to-back clean sheets – through injury. The gut feeling is that Allardyce will bring Jagielka’s experience back into the first XI, potentially in a back three alongside Ashley Williams and Michael Keane.

    The defender, despite his advancing years, is still a key player for the Blues and Big Sam will be hoping to get the best out of him again.

    If Jagielka does indeed start, he will be tasked – not solely on his own – with stopping Salah. The 25-year-old Egyptian star has already scored 15 goals in the Premier League this term and has simply looked unplayable at times.

    SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 26: Phil Jagielka and Aaron Lennon of Everton look dejected after the Premier League match between Southampton and Everton at St Mary's Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

    Veteran Jagielka is set to return but faces threat of Salah.

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