Monday 4 December 2017 10:45, UK
Jamie Carragher has praised Jurgen Klopp's rotation policy ahead of Liverpool's Super Sunday showdown with Everton next weekend.
Klopp has taken the opportunity to rest some of his key players, such as Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, in recent games ahead of the gruelling Premier League schedule over the festive period.
It is a ploy that has seemingly worked as Liverpool have put together a six-game unbeaten run in the Premier League, winning five of them including a 5-1 thrashing of Brighton on Saturday.
Liverpool's excellent recent run has seen them overtake both Arsenal and Tottenham in the top four and Carragher believes Klopp has benefited from having a stronger bench this season.
Speaking on Super Sunday, Carragher said: "They're in very good shape.
"Liverpool are devastating going forward with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino now getting a lot more goals.
"The Champions League match in midweek [against Spartak Moscow] and Everton fixture are huge fixtures for Liverpool. It's another huge midweek and weekend for Liverpool.
"I think the brilliant thing for Liverpool is that it's Jurgen Klopp's second full season in English football. January was a bit of a nightmare for Liverpool last season because of injuries, a loss of form and Sadio Mane going away.
"But this year he is rotating it much more - he's changing five or six players each game. That's not easy to get it right and it leaves you open to massive criticism.
"He's getting it right now - changing players at the right time. He's got a bench now which looks like a bench a top club should have - he didn't have that last season. Hopefully you'll see Liverpool get through this period."
Unlike their Merseyside rivals, Everton have spent the season battling nearer the foot of the table than the top, although they will head into next weekend's derby in good spirits after winning their last two matches.
Everton followed up a 4-0 thrashing of West Ham in midweek with a 2-0 win over Huddersfield on Saturday in what was Sam Allardyce's first game in charge of the club.
Supporters were split over Allardyce's appointment last week but Carragher thinks he will be a popular man if he oversees a win at Anfield next Sunday.
"To get six points after what happened at Southampton is massive. There will be a feelgood factor about them at Anfield," he said.
"Everton have gone to Anfield before with belief but it seems to disappear in the build-up to the derby and they are never the same.
"The early win is massive for Sam Allardyce. When that final whistle goes and you've won, you're happy no matter who the manager is and who is playing.
"The most important thing is getting results. Everton fans will get behind him and if they win at Anfield then Allardyce will be a hero. There'll be a statue - a big one!"
The Merseyside derby is live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event next Sunday from 1pm.
