Liverpool 5/4 to overwhelm Evertonian resistance in second half

David Moyes squires his Everton side on the cross-city trip to Anfield for the thirteenth time in his Toffees tenure with the Scot still awaiting his first win at the ground of his club’s fiercest rivals. Liverpool still have an outside chance of nicking Everton’s Europa League qualifying spot and they are fancied to come on strong and win the second half match betting at 5/4.

Everton’s approach to playing away from home has been stark all season long – avoid defeat at all costs – and only three Premier League sides have lost fewer road games in 2012/13. However in cultivating this admirable road resistance the need for goals has been neglected, with 14 away league games passing since they last mustered more than two.

Liverpool’s home defence is the second best in the league and with the Toffees failing to trouble the scorers in four of their last seven away games the 11/5 Coral offer about a home clean sheet looks worthwhile.

Everton have the misfortune of facing a Liverpool side who must be buzzing after quelling any doubts about their attacking potency in the absence of Luis Suarez by spanking Newcastle 6-0 at St James’ Park.

Daniel Sturridge bagged himself a brace in that fixture and with the ex-Chelsea man leading the line  once more at Anfield he can get himself amongst the goals. Liverpool have opened the scoring in the last four league Merseyside derbies and Sturridge is 5/1 favourite in Coral first goal scorer betting on the match.

The Reds have been hard to resist in the second half at Anfield – with their Sturridge-inspired comeback against Chelsea a prime example – and Brendan Rodgers men have now won seven of their last 10 second halves on home turf. Coral’s 5/4 about Liverpool winning the post interval period looks a decent bet given their visitors have scored just one second half goal in their last six outings.