Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has hailed the recent form of Everton’s John Stones and sees him as one of the best centre-backs in the league right now, as per Sky Sports.
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“I think the pressure is the nature of the game, ” he said.
“But when you look at the money Liverpool have spent over the years they need to be favourites and carrying the expectation”.
Liverpool are a point behind Everton and will go into the game with Captain Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firmino, Dejan Lovren and long-term absentee Jon Flannagan out of the reckoning for a place in the starting XI with injuries.
‘I know how important it is to get a victory in the derby, ‘ he added.
“You only need to speak with our fans – building up to the game, it has an extra significant meaning”.
26-year-old Coleman was expected to return for this Sunday’s Merseyside derby with neighbours Liverpool, but manager Roberto Martinez told the media this morning that he won’t make a decision on the Donegal man or team-mate John Stones until matchday.
“They have progressed well since the West Brom game and we will make a decision as late as we can – we are going to leave it probably until the day of the game”, he said at today’s press conference.
A six-match unbeated, including wins over Premier League champions Chelsea and the West Brom game where they recovered from two goals down to snatch all three points, means Everton go into the 225 derby with Liverpool as marginal favourites.
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Despite ongoing problems with his hamstring, Everton’s Seamus Coleman has squeezed his way on to Martin O’Neil’s side ahead of their next two Uefa Euro 2016 qualifier games.
