Everton out to dent Liverpool’s title bid in last Goodison league derby

LONDON – Denting Liverpool’s title ambitions will be a big enough motivation for local rivals Everton on Dec 7, but the fact that it is also the last Merseyside Premier League derby at Goodison Park will add extra spice to the occasion.

The Toffees will move out of their spiritual home since 1892 at the end of the season, taking up residence at their swish new 52,000-capacity Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

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 Dec 7, but the decibel level will sound like much more as Sean Dyche’s hosts try to beat the leaders and create one last abiding memory for the blue half of the city.

The first Merseyside 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 have lorded it over their neighbours in recent times, losing only three derbies in the last 14 years although, significantly, the last time they made the short trek across Stanley Park it proved costly.

Everton’s 2-0 win at Goodison in April paved the way for their 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, but judging by the impressive way he has started his reign he will take it all in his calm stride.

“I think it is going to be special for everyone involved, the fans, players, managers,” he said on Dec 6.

“To be involved in this game is special and the last one at Goodison is even more. Only nice when you have the result though, so that is what we’re focusing on.

“We have to be ready for a tough game, well-managed side and the fans will be just as loud as Newcastle (in the previous game), maybe even louder. We have to be prepared.”

Liverpool have won 18 of their 21 games under Slot, although the midweek

3-3 draw at Newcastle United

in one of the best games of the Premier League season so far did reduce their lead over Chelsea and Arsenal to seven points.

The Reds have the chance to widen the gap to 10 points ahead of the later kick-offs but will be wary of an Everton side buoyed by a 4-0 drubbing of fellow strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers in their best display of the season.

“I never speak about points before a game, especially a team like Everton in recent games, three clean sheets, very good win at Wolves,” Slot added.

“We have to be very aggressive. They work hard so you have to match their work rate. We need that at Everton.”

Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley remain sidelined, while goalkeeper Alisson Becker would not be rushed back. Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa are also not fully fit.

Alexis Mac Allister is suspended after he was booked at Newcastle.

Everton boss Dyche, meanwhile, confirmed that there were a “couple of knocks” from the win over Wolves but there is “nothing serious”.

On the final Premier League Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, he said: “It brings our fans to the fore again... I don’t have the depth of knowledge for these games, it is for the people – if we can win, it is for them and not me.”

He also had praise for his counterpart.

“A lot of what has impressed me is I don’t think he has made a massive amount of change,” he said of Slot.

“You don’t have to radically change everything. They are still operating at a high tempo, effective in different ways and in similar style. It seems like a smooth transition for me.” REUTERS