Optimism, frustration, anger and apathy. They’re the emotions Everton supporters have gone through when it comes to Merseyside derby matches during the Premier League era.
It wasn’t too long ago when those in blue seemed to relish the fixture against Liverpool, with the Toffees boasting a decent record in these clashes during the 1990s despite their limitations. But Kevin Campbell’s winner at Anfield in 1999 in a 1-0 victory was, somewhat remarkably, the last time Everton took three points from their former home.
So much has transpired in the 18 years that have followed, so much so that those Blues heading across Stanley Park on Sunday will do so with little hope. Having lost semi-finals, lost emphatically and lost in the last minute to the Reds, Everton have reached a number of nadirs against the rivals; they haven’t beaten Liverpool at all since 2010.
Perhaps worryingly for those of a blue persuasion, they visit Liverpool on Sunday with the gap between the two sides from a football perspective as large as it has been for a while.
In part, that is due to the excellent form of Jurgen Klopp’s side. The manner in which the Reds dismantled Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday was seriously impressive, as the team showcased how devastating they can be on the break.
But Liverpool have shown this term that when they’re denied space in behind, especially at home, that they have the tools to unpick deep-sitting sides. At Anfield, they’ve thrilled from an attacking perspective and been sure at the back too, with just two goals conceded in the Premier League.
The last man to steer a side to victory at Liverpool was Sam Allardyce, in what is potentially a positive omen for the Toffees.
When in charge of Crystal Palace, Allardyce’s team soaked up pressure from the Reds, utilised pace on the break and troubled Liverpool from set pieces. In the end, a 2-1 victory was deserved for the Eagles.
While Everton have made strides forward in recent games, winning against West Ham United and Huddersfield Town at a canter, this isn’t a fixture in which they’ll go toe-to-toe with their opponents.
Defence will be the order of the day for Allardyce, who will want to see his side be aggressive at the back and uncompromising in their approach. Even though they’ve appeared irrepressible at times, that blueprint still appears to be the most effective way of stopping Liverpool.
The new manager may trigger a change in mindset from Everton too. Too often in this fixture the team in blue have got too caught up in the emotion of the match, been too aggressive and allowed the calmer heads in red to take over. That needs to change if they’re have any chance.
What is likely to limit the Toffees here is their options in the final third. While Christian Benteke and Wilfried Zaha gave Allardyce an outlet when his side won at Anfield last term, he doesn’t have those dynamic options here. Everton may be reliant on Gylfi Sigurdsson and Wayne Rooney conjuring something special.
And the worry for the visitors is that Liverpool boast a number of players with the potential to do the same. In Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho, there’s so much attacking variety to inflict damage on an Everton defence that has been pulled apart frequently in 2017-18.
There’s also a confidence about the Reds in this fixture. Given Everton’s poor performances at this venue have spanned almost two decades, there’s an unshakeably assurance about Liverpool in the derby; the fans expect the team to win and the players expect the opposition to wilt.
To ask Allardyce to change that deep-rooted stigma is too much at this early stage in his tenure. Factor in the widening of the gap between the two sides since the summer and the Toffees are on course for another miserable afternoon at the expense of their rivals.
Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Everton
Tips
Liverpool to win 3-1 (11.00 William Hill)
Liverpool to win both halves (2.63 Pinnacle)
Liverpool to win by two goals (4.00 Betfair)
Calculators
