One of the biggest rivalries in British football is fast upon us as Liverpool and Everton are set to lock horns in what will be a pivotal match for both teams.
The match is due to take place this Sunday at 4:30 GMT, with Liverpool the clear favourites with NetBet Sport and other bookmakers. The match will be played at Anfield, with a win for both sides essential to their respective league goals.
Liverpool vs Everton Preview
Liverpool vs Everton is the oldest rivalry in British football with the two sides first meeting in 1894. Situated at either end of Stanley Park rarely have the stakes been as high. Both teams need three points for very different reasons.
Liverpool who are trying to win an unprecedented quadruple find themselves second in the table just a point behind current league leaders Manchester City. By the time Liverpool kick off the Reds could be four points behind their rivals who play Watford on Saturday. Liverpool know that the fate of this season’s Premier League title isn’t in their hands and any slip-ups could be fatal in their quest to capture a second title in the last three years. Liverpool simply need to keep winning and hope City drop points somewhere. This is a must-win match.
Everton will want to spoil the party. The Toffees know that any form of a positive result will put a huge dent in their rival’s title aspirations. Everton currently sit just one place and four points above the relegation zone. Although by the time they kick off Burnley could have reduced the gap to just one point. Three points against Liverpool would go a long way in cementing Everton’s survival in the Premier League for another season.
This will be Everton manager Frank Lampard’s first-ever Merseyside Derby. On paper Lampard’s side faces a huge task. Everton head into this match with just two wins from their last eight matches. Everton easily holds the worst away record in the league having taken just six points on the road all season. Their last away win came back in August when they beat Brighton 2-0.
In contrast, Liverpool have the best home record in the division. Jurgen Klopp’s team are yet to taste defeat in the league at home all season. The last team in the Premier League to emerge from Anfield with any points was Brighton who managed a 2-2 draw back in October.
Everton were able to cause a shock in the corresponding fixture last season when the Blues won 2-0 thanks to goals from Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson. It was Everton’s first win at Anfield since 1999.
Apart from last season’s blip, it’s a head to head that has been dominated by Liverpool. In the 25 matches played between the teams since 2010 Everton have two wins, Liverpool have twelve and there have been eleven draws.
Liverpool Everton matches can often be classic encounters and we could be set for another dramatic clash this weekend. Three points for either side will see them closer to their objectives but a loss for either will be season-defining and potentially season-ending.
