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

I THINK Sotirios Kyrgiakos will have a key role to play in Saturday's derby.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.Over the past four games he has been excellent. He gets stuck in and is very strong in the air.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.He is a real threat from set-pieces and I'd stick Kyrgiakos on him.It's going to be a real battle and it's difficult to pick a winner.Everton are in good form and will fancy their chances.A lot will depend on how we start the game.If we play like we did in the second half against Bolton I fancy us to win.But if we repeat our first half performance we're in trouble.We were poor in the opening 45 minutes last Saturday. Our passing was awful.We didn't stamp our authority on the game and we were lucky to be ahead at the break.I'm sure the manager had some strong words for them at half-time and rightly so.The second half was a lot better and Steven Gerrard looked more like his usual self which was great to see.

Source: Liverpool_Echo