Everton line-ups against Liverpool as Salomon Rondon and Yerry Mina decisions made

If Yerry Mina is fit, he starts for me.

There is no doubt Everton are the underdogs today but the situation is too precarious to rest players and save them for other games, sacrificing this one. There is quality in this side and today would be a good time for it to be showcased.

Richarlison is Everton's most effective player and he, in my view, is best out wide. It means he can play a role defensively and run at players - as well as potentially exploiting space left by Liverpool's attacking full backs.

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin out, this leaves no option other than to start Salomon Rondon, who could hopefully build on his successful cameo against Leicester City.

If he could present a challenge to Liverpool's centre backs in the air, Richarlison and Anthony Gordon could potentially feed off some of the loose balls that drop as a result. Rondon will also be useful for set pieces in both boxes - especially if Ibrahima Konate plays.

In central midfield there is a temptation to drop Alex Iwobi and play Abdoulaye Doucore instead. This would be harsh on Iwobi - he has been one of Everton's best players in recent weeks. But I would rather play three in central midfield and try and hustle Liverpool in that area, than play three at the back and allow the hosts to completely dominate the middle third.

Everton manager Frank Lampard has admitted he'd take a draw in his first Merseyside Derby and somehow the Blues boss needs to plug the gaps that Liverpool's numerous attacking threats will bring. Rather than introduce a third centre-back which leaves his defenders operating in unfamiliar territory - both those in the middle and the full-backs/wing-backs, I think the best solution would be to try and flood the midfield.

Therefore