Five key storylines for Liverpool v Everton & Man United v Man City
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It’s derby day on Super Sunday
This weekend’s Super Sunday is set to be simply unmissable.
It’s derby day, and Liverpool host Everton on Merseyside before Manchester United welcome Manchester City to Old Trafford on the other side of the M6.
The Coral News Team are preparing for a sensational afternoon of Premier League football.
Ahead of the two huge games, here are five of the key storylines set to play out in the North West…
Liverpool’s awesome foursome
Some say they’re the new Beatles. But all Liverpool fans care about is that Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane keep on scoring.
The quartet all netted in Wednesday’s 7-0 trouncing over Spartak Moscow, and Jurgen Klopp will be delighted to have all four players in form.
Everton’s defence will have an almighty task trying to keep out Liverpool’s rapid forays forward.
The Toffees could be in for a torrid afternoon if they aren’t careful.
Big Sam v Klopp
This isn’t just about Liverpool versus Everton. This is also about Jurgen Klopp versus Sam Allardyce.
Big Sam won their last duel when Crystal Palace produced a fine performance to win 2-1 at Anfield in April.
Allardyce even skipped Everton’s Europa League trip to Cyprus to focus on this match.
Klopp loves to play the beautiful game, but that often leaves his sides exposed at the back.
And there are few managers on the planet as adept at tactical organisation and discipline as Everton’s new boss. Could he be the Toffees saviour?
Will Lukaku step up?
Romelu Lukaku played in eight Merseyside derbies, but only scored three goals.
In fact the Belgian netted just once in his last six appearances versus Liverpool, so how will he cope in the Manchester version?
He has still to convince that he can turn it on in the big games, when it really counts.
They don’t come any bigger than a top-two clash versus your side’s fiercest rivals.
With John Stones injured, City’s defence is weakened. But will Lukaku be able to take advantage?
Defence versus attack
This Manchester City side are on course to bag well over 100 goals this season.
Nobody has been able to stop them so far, but can they break down Jose Mourinho’s resolute defence? United have conceded just nine goals in the league this term.
The level to which Phil Jones, Antonio Valencia, Nemanja Matic and David de Gea deal with the pace and skill of Raheem Sterling, Sadio Mane, Sergio Aguero and Kevin de Bruyne will be fascinating to see.
Mourinho’s Pep mishaps
Sunday afternoon will see Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola sit in opposing dugouts for the 20th time.
Of the previous 19 meetings, there have been seven draws and eight wins for Pep. That’s left Mourinho with just four victories over his managerial rival.
The Special One has made Old Trafford into a fortress. United are unbeaten in their last 43 games.
But the last team to win at the Theatre of Dreams was… Manchester City.
This tactical – and personal – battle will be as enthralling on the sidelines as the action on the pitch.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
