Everton-Liverpool, the derby of fear in the Premier League

In Liverpool, the overlap between supporters of LFC (Liverpool FC) and those of Everton is so strong that, each time these two teams face each other, neighbors, work colleagues or even members of the same family no longer speak to each other before the meeting to avoid any provocation which could permanently damage a relationship.

Many of them follow the precept laid down by Neil Atkinson, one of the presenters of The Anfield Wrap, a media dedicated to the Reds: “With those close to me who support Everton, we now act as if this match did not take place. ..It’s healthier. » This latent tension which precedes each Merseyside Derby was particularly noticeable on Tuesday, while Liverpool travel this Wednesday evening to Everton (9 p.m.).

“This success would be even more delectable because it would put an end to the Reds’ title dreams”

Paul Quinn, founder of The Esk website dedicated to Everton

Because the Reds, currently second in the Premier League, must win if they wish to maintain any hope of being champions, while the Toffees, sixteenth, cannot afford a setback, while they only have 5 points ahead (with one game in hand) over the first relegated team, Luton. “If we win this derby, it would be a victory which would ensure our continuation, like those we obtained last year against Bournemouth (1-0, May 28, 2023), or the previous year against Crystal Palace (3-2, May 19, 2022), analyzes Paul Quinn, who created The Esk, a site devoted to the Toffees. But this success would be even more delectable because it would put an end to the Reds’ title dreams. »

Liverpool aim for 100th derby success

Likewise, Liverpool fans happily anticipate that a triumph for their team would bring Everton closer to the Championship. “Some Reds fans openly want this relegation and even dream that in the long term all Liverpuldiens will line up behind Liverpool FC,” recognizes Dan Fieldsend, who has written several works which address the history of LFC.

It is true that Everton has recently experienced such sporting and economic problems (8 penalty points for infringements of the financial fair play of the Premier League), that the sustainability of the club may have seemed compromised, especially since it- It is involved in a takeover project by the American investment fund 777 Partners (majority shareholder of Red Star, promoted to Ligue 2), which is slow to materialize. “We’ve had so much going on lately that I can’t even describe to you the extent to which a victory would ignite Goodison Park, it would be crazy,” says Andy Costigan, one of the authors of the Grand Old Team site, reserved for football lovers. Everton. Especially since we haven’t beaten Liverpool since 2010 at home. »

For its part, the official LFC website offered, on Tuesday, another historical perspective, recalling that this Wednesday evening the Reds could achieve their hundredth success in the history of the derby and Jürgen Klopp become the first manager of the club to win a tenth time against the Toffees. The fact that this is the German’s last appearance in this confrontation adds spice to the matter.

“I can’t wait for him to leave, given his results against us (only one defeat in 16 derbies), coldly says David Downie, the creator of Blue Room, a pro-Everton podcast. What reassures me is that Liverpool will have difficulty finding a replacement at their level. » Whoever his successor is (Arne Slot is now the favorite), he will in any case have to quickly integrate the vital importance of the Merseyside Derby in the eyes of the supporters.