Both Merseyside clubs have a number of key players unavailable for Tuesday’s key clash…
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is upset that injuries to both his side and Everton will have a negative effect on the quality of the Merseyside derby, Sky Sports reports.
The two sides play each other on Tuesday evening in the Premier League, in what could be one of the most important clashes between the clubs in recent memory – but both squads are decimated with injuries.
“There are still going to be quality players and the football ideas of both teams will come out, but it is unfortunate a number of players are out of the game – and a lot of them starting players – it would’ve made it a different game,” said Rodgers.
“It is unfortunate both teams are coming into the game with not the strongest squads because both have picked up injuries.”
The Reds will be without Lucas, Jose Enrique, Sebastian Coates, Daniel Agger, Mamadou Sakho and Glen Johnson, while midfielder Joe Allen is unlikely.
Everton on the other hand are missing Bryan Oviedo, Seamus Coleman, Darron Gibson, Ross Barkley, Arouna Kone, Steven Pienaar and Gerard Deulofeu.
Liverpool sit in fourth place, just one point above Everton behind them, and both clubs are desperate for a victory in the race for Champions League football.
Earlier in the season, the two clubs played out a thrilling 3-3 draw at Goodison Park, after Liverpool snatched a late equaliser through Daniel Sturridge.
Rodgers’ side though badly struggled to deal with the physicality of Romelu Lukaku up top, and it will be interesting to see how Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure combat the powerful Belgian striker.
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