TOMMY SMITH: Liverpool FC's Sotirios Kyrgiakos has key role to play in Mersey derby

03 February 2010 05:00
I THINK Sotirios Kyrgiakos will have a key role to play in Saturday's derby.[LNB]I'll be honest, when I first saw the big Greek defender play I wasn't impressed. I didn't think he was good enough for a club of Liverpool's stature but he's made me reassess.[LNB]Over the past four games he has been excellent. He gets stuck in and is very strong in the air.[LNB]I know Daniel Agger is fit again now but I'd keep faith with Kyrgiakos. In fact if I was Rafa Benitez I'd give him the job of keeping a close eye on Tim Cahill, who showed how dangerous he is in the air with the Blues' winner at Wigan.[LNB]He is a real threat from set-pieces and I'd stick Kyrgiakos on him.[LNB]It's going to be a real battle and it's difficult to pick a winner.[LNB]Everton are in good form and will fancy their chances.[LNB]A lot will depend on how we start the game.[LNB]If we play like we did in the second half against Bolton I fancy us to win.[LNB]But if we repeat our first half performance we're in trouble.[LNB]We were poor in the opening 45 minutes last Saturday. Our passing was awful.[LNB]We didn't stamp our authority on the game and we were lucky to be ahead at the break.[LNB]I'm sure the manager had some strong words for them at half-time and rightly so.[LNB]The second half was a lot better and Steven Gerrard looked more like his usual self which was great to see.

Source: Liverpool_Echo