Premier League: This Mersey Derby Could Get Messy!

Liverpool vs Everton

One of the Premier League’s most watched fixtures is the headline act on Sunday, when title chasers Liverpool welcome Everton to Anfield for the Mersey Derby.

Apart from the local bragging rights there is a huge amount at stake in this game for both clubs. And the so called ‘Friendly Derby’ will be anything but when the two teams walk out in front of a capacity crowd; and there is sure to be an electric atmosphere. Liverpool are one point behind Manchester City in the race for the league title and, with just a single defeat in 2022, Jurgen Klopp’s side is still in the hunt for an historic quadruple. 

Meanwhile, Frank Lampard’s Everton are in a precarious position and, dependant on results elsewhere, an expected defeat could see the Toffees drop into the relegation zone with just six games to play.         

Talking Points

The huge gulf on Merseyside

The latest Premier League 2022 betting odds shine a light on just how far apart Liverpool and Everton really are. While the Reds are in a two horse race for the title, tracking Manchester City at every turn, the Toffees are nervously looking over their shoulders, hoping and praying that Burnley don’t put a run together.

At 1.18 to win, it would be the shock of the season were Liverpool to slip up in the Mersey Derby. But if you fancy the Toffees to pull off the unimaginable then you can get odds of 6.37 on a draw and 12.04 on an away win.

Is there a case for Frank Lampard’s men?

Well a look at the Premier League table would suggest not. 

With 76 points and a goal difference of +61, Jurgen Klopp’s Reds couldn’t be much further apart from Everton on 29 points and with a goal difference of -19. And while Liverpool brushed aside Manchester United with an outstanding display in midweek, Mo Salah scoring twice, Everton needed an injury time deflection to creep over the line to earn a point against Leicester. And the Reds win over Ralf Rangnick’s team made it a Manchester Double for the Merseysiders after beating City in a five goal thriller to reach the FA Cup final.

They live just a few hundred metres apart but there is a world of difference between these two clubs at this moment in time.   

Spotlight on the Defenders

We know all about Liverpool’s attacking prowess, with Luis Diaz fitting beautifully into a rotating front three alongside Salah, Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino who are all established as Premier League and world stars. The Premier League 2022 highlights are jam packed with action from those five; while Everton’s reliance on Brazilian forward Richarlison is all too obvious to Toffee fans.

So let’s take a look at the back-lines of each team.

Liverpool

With just 16 goals conceded in the last 25 games, and 19 clean sheets in the Premier League season Liverpool’s defence is just as impressive as its attack. Goalkeeper Alisson is level with Manchester City’s Ederson on 18 clean sheets and he’ll be gutted if he doesn’t make it 19 on Sunday.

The central defensive unit of Virgil Van Dijk and Joel Matip is rock solid and it plays high up the pitch with confidence, as the front six men play a high energy press. With defensive midfielder Fabinho just in front of the back line, they have the protection needed to allow wingbacks Trent-Alexander Arnold and Andrew Roberson to make forward raids. These two have made 12 and ten assists so far this season and remain the most productive wingback pairing in European football.         

Everton  

The Toffees have had plenty of sticky afternoons in defence this season, conceding 53 goals in 31 games and, combined with a toothless attack, that is a dangerous combination. They struggle when attacked down the wings, particularly after the sale of Lucas Digne to Aston Villa, and Everton fans could have nightmares when they think of the damage Robertson and Trent could inflict. With a midfield weakened by the absence of Tom Davies and Donny Van De Beek, there is little protection for a centre back pairing of Ben Godfrey and Mason Holgate which gets caught out of position too often.

The return from injury of the experienced Michael Keane might strengthen the Toffees’ back line, but they will all need to be on their game and ride their luck at times if they are to have any hope of staying in the game.    

History

Everton have won ten of the 62 Mersey Derbies in the Premier League era and drawn 25, more that we might have expected, while Liverpool have registered 27 victories.

The neighbours met at Goodison Park in December when Liverpool ran out 4-1 winners as Salah helped himself to a double.   

Liverpool’s home record of 13 wins, three draws and no defeats is almost symmetrical with Everton’s away record of one win three draws and 11 defeats.     

Betting Tip

The only score line with a lower price than 3-0 at SBOTOP odds of 6.56, is 2-0 at a price of 5.80 and, while Everton are desperate for points, this is not a game they will expect to get much out of and Lampard will be keen to avoid a morale-sapping thrashing.

 

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