It is important that Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa is given a chance against Everton on Wednesday considering the other attackers at the club have struggled to make an impact, Reds expert David Lynch has argued.
Arne Slot's side return to Premier League action against Merseyside rivals Everton, who managed to earn a point in the reverse fixture after drawing 2-2 at Goodison Park on February 12.
Liverpool will hope to improve upon their most recent performance on March 16, when they were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final.
The Reds failed to threaten in the final third, though Chiesa made a positive cameo from the bench by scoring a late goal, and Lynch believes that the Italian's inclusion on Wednesday is important for the team's chances against Everton, telling Sports Mole: "That number nine position hasn't been nailed down by anyone this season. You have concerns if Nunez starts the derby, if Jota does, if Luis Diaz does.
"If [Slot] is going to take a look at Chiesa in a central position, can he do it in the last half an hour of the game? At any point in the next couple of weeks, can he have a look and see whether it's right? There is a position that's up for grabs, and that might not just be a case of Chiesa saying 'I can do this for the next seven or eight games', but a case of saying 'keep me around next season, I can be an option in a central position'.
"It's important for Chiesa that he finds a way of getting himself into the team. I'm sceptical it will be from the start in the Merseyside derby, but there will be opportunities for him off the bench, which we haven't even seen an awful lot of this season."
Slot explained in his pre-match press conference that Chiesa's lack of action is down to the fact he is competing with Mohamed Salah for a starting spot, but given the poor form of Diaz, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez, the winger could be in line for an appearance as the team's number nine.
Liverpool out for revenge?
Liverpool were denied three points against Everton at Goodison Park due to James Tarkowski's 98th-minute equaliser, and the Reds felt aggrieved by a number of refereeing decisions.
Additionally, both Slot and Curtis Jones were sent off after the full-time whistle, and the Merseysiders will certainly feel that they have the opportunity to correct a perceived sense of injustice.
Lynch also told Sports Mole that Liverpool will be eager to put their recent poor form behind them having lost their last two, saying: "Arne Slot was asked about this at the press conference. After a defeat, you want to get straight out there and avenge it if you can, and Liverpool have had two defeats on the bounce for the first time under this manager.
"They'll be absolutely chomping at the bit to come back and get a win under their belts at Liverpool. There's no better atmosphere and situation in which to do that than a Merseyside derby, and it will still rankle what happened at Goodison Park - it felt like a loss in the last minute to concede that goal, and the red cards, the anger, the touchline bans that resulted from that.
"They'll want to set that right and they'll have the atmosphere at Anfield that will give them the foundations to do that. No excuses either in terms of the international break, because they've had the weekend off, so there's been rest there. I'm expecting Liverpool to tear into this one and to really want to show the best of themselves. "
The Reds are winless in two games against Everton - drawing one and losing one - but they have won 2-0 in each of their past three matches against the Toffees at Anfield.
© Imago
Would a draw be a good result?
Slot's side are currently 12 points in front of second-placed Arsenal, and with just nine matchweeks remaining, it would be remarkable if his team failed to claim the Premier League title.
Considering the points gap to the Gunners, and the fact that matches against Everton are almost always difficult, there is an argument that a draw would not be an unfavourable result.
However, when asked by Sports Mole whether a draw would be an acceptable outcome, Lynch argued that the Reds should expect three points when he said: "No, no - it's a derby. As much as Everton made it difficult for Liverpool at Goodison and the fact that they're in great form, they haven't been beaten for absolutely ages, I still think of the Anfield factor, that Liverpool have had rest.
"They've got to get back to winning ways and do it in convincing fashion, and I know Goodison Park is a huge leveller, the influence that crowd can have is very similar to Anfield. It can change the flow of a game, it can drag you down to their level. It was an absolutely incredible atmosphere when I was there for that game, but this is Anfield.
"It's important to get a win back under their belts and it would be a real boost to do that in a local derby. It's not just about bragging rights, but it gives you real confidence as well. It's important to get back on track. A draw wouldn't be a disaster, but Liverpool should be absolutely thinking that the win is what they want and what they need at this moment."
Liverpool could find themselves nine points ahead of Arsenal by the time the Gunners play Fulham on Tuesday, but a win on Wednesday would leave Liverpool needing four wins and one draw from their remaining eight games to guarantee finishing first.
Lewis Nolan
