The final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park is upon us, and Everton enter the clash against Liverpool with renewed confidence under David Moyes despite saturday's loss in FA Cup.
With three consecutive Premier League victories since Moyes' return in January, the Toffees are aiming to replicate last season's spirited 2-0 win over their city rivals.
Belief is key for Toffees
Jarrad Branthwaite, who scored in that memorable victory last March, emphasized the importance of belief ahead of Wednesday’s showdown.
"It is the Merseyside derby, it is another game that we are looking to win, that's it," Branthwaite stated. "If you build it up too much, you can fall under pressure, so we are going into it with the belief that we can get a result like last season."
Everton have used this mindset effectively in recent weeks, securing wins that have lifted them away from the relegation zone.
Key to this resurgence has been Iliman Ndiaye, who has scored in each of his last three Premier League outings. If he finds the net again, he will become the first Everton player since Richarlison in 2021 to score in four straight league matches.
Liverpool’s Response to FA Cup Exit
Liverpool, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back after a shocking FA Cup fourth-round exit to Plymouth Argyle. The loss ended Arne Slot’s hopes of a quadruple in his debut season at Anfield, adding pressure to an already packed fixture list.
With four Premier League matches in 10 days following the derby, Liverpool’s squad depth will be tested. Compounding their concerns, Curtis Jones and Joe Gomez are both likely to miss the Goodison clash after picking up knocks against Plymouth.
Nevertheless, the Reds will have Mohamed Salah back in action. The Egyptian, who was rested for the FA Cup tie, boasts a staggering 21 goal contributions in 12 away league matches this season. Slot will be counting on his talisman to lead Liverpool’s charge.
Historic Stakes and Match Prediction
Liverpool have not lost in their last 19 Premier League matches (14 wins, 5 draws), but history suggests caution. The last two times they have faced Everton while on an unbeaten run of 19+ league games, they lost – in 1978 and 1988.
Furthermore, Liverpool are on the cusp of becoming only the fifth club in English football history to record 100 wins against a single opponent. A victory on Wednesday would see them join an exclusive list alongside Arsenal and Manchester United.
That said, Everton have been in fine form, winning their last three league matches with an 8-2 aggregate score. Moyes has a chance to secure four consecutive league wins for the first time since his West Ham days in 2021, and the Toffees will be eager to use the Goodison crowd as a driving force.
Expect an intense battle
The Merseyside derby has seen the most red cards (23) and the most 0-0 draws (12) in Premier League history. Liverpool have also scored more 90th-minute winners against Everton than any other side has against a single opponent (5).
While Liverpool may be the favorites on paper, Everton’s recent form, combined with the emotional significance of the final Goodison Park derby, could set the stage for another historic night.
One thing is certain – this will be a clash to remember.
Reader Comments (27)
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Editorial Team
2 Posted 11/02/2025 at 10:46:16
The way he said it felt like a child complaining about his Christmas gift !
3 Posted 12/02/2025 at 05:28:09
4 Posted 12/02/2025 at 15:37:45
5 Posted 12/02/2025 at 17:52:43
Salah awarded his customary penalty.
Ref gives Everton nothing.
And the Blues still prevail in a 3-2 derby for the ages!! COYB 💙
6 Posted 12/02/2025 at 18:05:07
This is a match preview? I'm done in here, Everton site run by Evertonians not by people who really seem to have no idea what these games especially a derby game means, this pre match write up is a joke.
7 Posted 12/02/2025 at 18:20:51
The ‘don’t worry these lads will get it right’ brigade. Wake up!
This is the way it is now.
Paul summed it up above.
Not written by anyone with any nuance, wit or understanding of the fixture/rivalry, and this won’t change.
It’s not their fault, you cannot download 30 or 40 plus years of support into someone’s brain, the insight, the feel for the Club, the knowledge and the humour will always be absent.
Lyndon Lyoyd sold up to a global firm, so this is the style of the content now.
So, I think most will stop reading it, because it says nothing.
And, as Paul points out, it’s actually deeply irritatingly well balanced in favour of them.
Strange, soulless, weird, empty.
…‘let’s get behind the new lads and welcome them…blah blah. Fuck off!
This is shite!
8 Posted 12/02/2025 at 18:23:35
The tone of the last paragraph in particular just feels wrong on here.
"The Egyptian, who was rested for the FA Cup tie, boasts a staggering 21 goal contributions in 12 away league matches this season. Slot will be counting on his talisman to lead Liverpool’s charge."
I am willing to give the new owners some time to get settled in but the early signs are not good.
9 Posted 12/02/2025 at 18:26:24
Me thinks there needs to be a very steep learning curve for those in charge.
I am already in Goodison Park on this special occasion. I've shown it to a couple of fans. They are not amused!
10 Posted 12/02/2025 at 18:36:12
11 Posted 12/02/2025 at 18:40:29
12 Posted 12/02/2025 at 18:44:35
13 Posted 12/02/2025 at 18:47:47
I love T W but not anymore. Grand old team is good also, but this new T W, nope, not for me. I'll be in bits if we lose tonight but I don't think the new owners will feel the same. Coyb 👮👮👮
14 Posted 12/02/2025 at 19:07:09
What a star
Paid for that young Aussie lad to come over after his disappointment missing out on the original date
15 Posted 12/02/2025 at 19:08:38
16 Posted 12/02/2025 at 19:09:47
17 Posted 12/02/2025 at 19:14:44
same team as last match. Isaac Heath among the subs
18 Posted 12/02/2025 at 19:16:39
19 Posted 12/02/2025 at 19:21:26
20 Posted 12/02/2025 at 19:23:11
21 Posted 12/02/2025 at 19:32:31
Biggest Merseyside derby at Goodison for many years, well the last ever one, and we can't get involved with it.
22 Posted 12/02/2025 at 19:47:54
23 Posted 12/02/2025 at 19:52:59
Even the BBC match previews come across as more sincere than this generic waffle.
Someone should start a fan forum for ex-Toffeweb posters.
24 Posted 12/02/2025 at 20:30:33
And what is it with this Ref that he doesn't give a yellow to a player that goes in studs up into another's thigh but books the protesting player and then books Gana for far less.
And what is it with Everton players kicking the ground, first Broja and now Ndiaye who's ability to carry the ball is being missed.
26 Posted 12/02/2025 at 21:29:56
27 Posted 12/02/2025 at 21:44:47
Almost 6AM so back to bed.
28 Posted 12/02/2025 at 21:55:58
Instead of replacing Doucoure, well before half time.
This match ( one of the most important, given, we need the points, as we as the bragging rights !), rebelotte! He does the same thing.
Doucoure runs around like a horse that has bolted.
The only difference being, that a horse would trap a bale of hay, way more deftly, tha Doucoure could trap a football.
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1 Posted 11/02/2025 at 09:32:07