Everton vs Liverpool: Toffees look to stun Premier League leader in final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park

Everton vs Liverpool: Toffees look to stun Premier League leader in final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park

Everton might not be a firm challenger on paper for Liverpool but it will look to pull off an upset against its high-flying rival in what will be the last Merseyside Premier League derby at Goodison Park.

The Toffees will move out of what has been its home for 13 years, at the end of the season, setting base at their new 52,000 capacity Bramley-Moore Dock stadium.

While the club’s owners and fans hope that will mark the beginning of a new era of success after many years in the doldrums, the new ground may struggle to recreate the fevered atmosphere of derby day at Goodison Park.

Just under 40,000 will witness the 245th clash between the rivals on Saturday lunchtime but the decibel level will sound like much more as Sean Dyche’s side tries to beat the leader and create one last abiding memory for the blue half of the city.

The first Mersey derby at Goodison Park in October 1894 resulted in a 3-0 victory for Everton and while a similar outcome might be fanciful, given the current form of table-topping Liverpool, the form book may go out of the window.

That said, Liverpool has lorded it over its ‘friendly’ neighbour in recent times, losing only three derbies in the last 14 years although significantly the last time it made the short trek across Stanley Park it proved costly.

Everton’s 2-0 win at Goodison in April paved the way for its top-flight survival while dealing a massive blow to Liverpool’s hopes of winning the title in Jurgen Klopp’s final season in charge at Anfield.

Klopp’s replacement Arne Slot will get his first taste of the Merseyside rivalry on Saturday but judging by the way he has started, his reign he will take it all in his calm stride.

Liverpool has won 18 of its 21 games under the Dutch tactician and is enjoying a healthy seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League standings, which would move into double digits if it can secure a win.

The Reds come into the game after a nail-biting 3-3 draw at Newcastle United while Everton thrashed Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-0 at home in its previous match, its best performance so far this season.

(with inputs from Reuters)