A Test of Liverpool’s Title Credentials at Goodison
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Monday night will see the 227th Merseyside derby and both teams have a great deal to play for, besides the local bragging rights.
Everton’s great start to the season has quickly been forgotten and they were desperate to get back to winning ways before this match. In the early stages of the game against Arsenal on Tuesday night, there were signs the crowd could be turning and that’s the last thing Ronald Koeman needed, prior to the Merseyside derby. However, despite going 1-0 down inside the first 20 minutes, Everton produced a spirited fight-back and turned things around thanks to goals from Seamus Coleman and Ashley Williams. It was a much-needed win, ahead of this huge match.
Liverpool were also looking to get back to winning ways in mid-week, having lost at Bournemouth and dropped points at home to West Ham. Simon Mignolet returned in goal for the trip to Middlesbrough and kept a clean sheet as Liverpool came away from the Riverside with a comfortable 3-0 victory. Therefore, both teams go into this match off the back of good wins in their previous games.
Goodison Park has been a fortress for Everton this season and trends show they are undefeated in their last 11 home Premier League games. However, they have only won two of the last five and keeping clean sheets has been an issue recently, with just 1 in their last 6 Premier League games. With Phil Jagielka suspended for this match, it will fall upon Ramiro Funes Mori to step in and try and shore up the defence, against a potent Liverpool attack.
Liverpool are undefeated in their last 12 matches against Everton in all competitions. In fact, Liverpool have lost only one of their last 19 league meetings with Everton and the trip to Goodison should hold no fear for Jurgen Klopp and his players. Liverpool have scored 22 goals in their previous 8 Premier League games, at an average of 2.75 goals per game. Furthermore, there have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Liverpool’s last 6 away games in the Premier League and with Everton struggling to keep them out, that record could easily change to 6 of the last 7 come the final whistle.
Despite Liverpool having a very good record over Everton and seemingly dominating this fixture in recent years, Everton are undefeated in their last 4 home matches against their rivals, in all competitions. This suggests a tough night awaits for the visitors.
Liverpool, given their overall form this season must come into this match as favourites but Everton showed enough on Tuesday night to suggest they can take something from this match. If the game was being played at Anfield there would be no questioning a Liverpool win but at Goodison, Everton are a different animal and this match could end in a high scoring draw, with plenty of entertainment for the neutral to enjoy.
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