Whether loaded with consequence or a mere provincial dispute, a pulsating drama or a tedious bore, the Merseyside derby's ability to create a lasting impression remains undiminished. As John Stones can attest.
“Did I have a bad day the last time or something?” inquires the usually unflappable 20-year-old after a sixth question relating to events at Anfield 13 months ago when he was part of an Everton defence dissected in a 4-0 defeat.
The answer to Stones' one question is no, he was man of the match when the rivals last met in September, but an accomplished display in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool has not banished memories of his first start in a Merseyside derby. Mainly because Daniel Sturridge was not involved when Stones blocked Liverpool earlier this season.
Self-analysis
Sturridge scored twice and missed a penalty as he and
Luis Suarez
shredded Everton’s back-line in January 2014, sending the young defender into several days of critical self-analysis. Roberto Martinez’s team were only four points behind Liverpool in the race for
Champions League
qualification after that heavy reverse and defending far more consistently than this term. Yet the task of shackling an in-form Liverpool and Sturridge, if only as a substitute after six months out injured, does not trouble a player whose calmness and composure is not confined to the pitch. “There are a lot of
Premier League
strikers who have good movement but can’t score,” says Stones.
"But a lot of things come together in Sturridge's case and that makes him one of the hardest strikers to mark. It's great for Liverpool and for England that he's back, but I know that if we are as strong defensively as we were at Crystal Palace last week we can stop whatever Liverpool throw at us."
Everton have more to prove in the 224th Merseyside derby than a defensive improvement against one Liverpool striker, however destructive he can be.
Martinez’s team have not found momentum in the Premier League all season and while their rivals are recovering from their own trough to challenge belatedly for the top four, Everton are 12 points below and targeting safety. The win at Selhurst Park was Everton’s first in any competition since 15 December. A restorative victory over Liverpool would lend substance to the latest talk of a corner being turned.
Stones admits: “We did think Jags’ goal [Phil Jagielka’s equaliser at Anfield] would be a turning point and there’s a big bundle of reasons why it didn’t happen but I think we can put our finger on the Palace game and say that was a turning point in our season. We have pretty much half a season now to correct what we didn’t do in the first half.
“There was a big relief in the dressing room afterwards, the lads have been craving that feeling of winning again, and it was a massive result for us.
“We believe in what we do and in how we play and that’s how we will start winning games again. In the last home game I was putting in crosses from the right wing and that shows the gaffer hasn’t changed how we approach the game. If we stay on that track we will do well.” Guardian Service
