Mersey Insider: Everton kid Gerard Deulofeu is goal hero for Spain, Liverpool star man Daniel Sturridge could return for Manchester City clash and Phil Jagielka nets Goal of the Year gong

Posted on November 20, 2015 in Features

What’s been happening in the world of football on Merseyside this week? Jennifer Jewell gives us the scoop . . .

Deulofeu is captain fantastic

Everton winger Gerard Deulofeu has scored five goals in his two games against Croatia and Georgia for Spain’s Under-21 side in the Euro Championship qualifiers. Captaining his national youth team has clearly made the talented Spaniard step up and his club manager Roberto Martinez believes the extra responsibility has come at the ideal moment in his player’s development. He told the Liverpool Echo: “The captaincy has come at the right time for him. Gerard is a young man who has been through a lot. Being captain of that young generation is a big role in his country but he has done it in fantastic fashion.”

Sturridge raring for return

Injury-prone Daniel Sturridge has this week declared himself fit for this weekend’s clash with table-toppers Manchester City. But, after his recent stint on the treatment table, it leaves new manager Jürgen Klopp with a dilemma and he will be reluctant to rush the Reds striker back into a high-pressure game. As is the case with most of the squad, Sturridge is enjoying playing under their new boss and he would love to be involved in such a big game in some degree for Liverpool on Saturday at the Etihad.

Coutinho, Can and Henderson are fans’ favourites

How much the fans love you can often determine whether a player stays at a club or not. With the January transfer window approaching, the Liverpool Echo has surveyed supporters to find out who the fans love . . . and who they would like to see the back of! Philippe Coutinho, Emre Can and Jordan Henderson can all breathe a sigh of relief as they came out on top with the punters. But Jose Enrique, Joe Allen and Kolo Toure should be worried: Liverpudlians would be quite happy for the Reds trio to head out the exit door in January.

And the award goes to . . .

The 2015 North West awards took place this week and Phil Jagielka’s 30-yard screamer in the Merseyside derby in September last year was voted Goal of the Year by the public. The stunning stoppage-time equaliser beat off competition for last season’s top strike from Liverpool’s Coutinho and Juan Mata of Manchester United. Everton Ladies player Gabby George claiming the Rising Star gong in women’s football after her impressive WSL 2 season and the club also took home the best marketing campaign for the ‘We are Chosen’ season ticket drive to complete a great evening for the Toffees. Congratulations to the winners!