Everton come into this weekend’s Merseyside Derby on the back of a good win away at Crystal Palace, and will be hoping to make it back-to-back wins this weekend. Everton managed to pick up a point away at Anfield earlier on in the season, but will be hoping to go one better this weekend.
Key to that will be hard work, and Gareth Barry is one man who epitomises that philosophy. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has covered a squad best 234km so far this season and he has also won a squad best 49 tackles this season, winning 62% of his overall tackles.
Another diligent member of the Everton side is England international left back Leighton Baines. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index tells us that only Barry has covered more ground than Baines, who has completed a remarkable 1,240 sprints so far this season. On the ball, Baines will cause trouble with his delivery, having completed a squad best 17 crosses, racking up eight assists.
The man that he will look to turn provider for is Romeu Lukaku, who has now netted seven goals, converting 25% of his shots on target, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. On top of his strength and power, Lukaku has also hit a top speed of 33.6km/h so far this season, and will threaten Liverpool with his pace. He is 11/5 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
The red half of Merseyside will also not be looking to settle for a point this weekend, and come into the match as one of the league’s form sides. They are unbeaten in seven, having won five of those matches, including winning their last three on the bounce. However, they will be wary of complacency in the knowledge that anything can happen in a Derby.
It is crucial that they stay tight at the back on the weekend, and Martin Skrtel will be the man charged with that duty. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that Liverpool’s rock has won 23 tackles already this season, which amounts to 79.3% of his overall tackles. He has also racked up a squad best 211 clearances and another squad best, by making 38 interceptions.
In the middle of the park, Jordan Henderson has continued to impress, as illustrated with the help of the statistics provided by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. The England international has already covered a squad best 238.07km so far this season, and his hard work has been the key to his success. He has also won a fantastic 54 tackles so far this season, winning 75% of his overall tackles.
Liverpool will look to their England international starlet Raheem Sterling to deliver the goods going forward. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, the England winger has already completed a squad best 72 dribbles. His pace will pose a major threat, having hit a top speed of 35.04km/h. He will pose a major threat with that pace, and he is 43/20 to score anytime with 888sport.com.