Everton v Liverpool: Match Preview | Up the tifo Toffees
Everton's James Tarkowski celebrates with fans in the background after VAR gives their side's second goal of the game during the Premier League match at Goodison Park, Liverpool. Picture date: Wednesday February 12, 2025. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images) | PA Images via Getty Images History will be made on the banks of the Royal Blue Mersey on Sunday as Liverpool host Everton in the 248th Merseyside derby – and the first at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The Toffees should head into the match in a positive mood. They have won three of their last five and snatched a late draw at Brentford last time out to remain firmly in the race for Europe. They are bidding to win three successive Premier League matches at Hill Dickinson for the first time, nearly a month after that thrilling 3-0 victory over Chelsea – arguably their best performance of the season so far.
As for Liverpool, their hopes of a trophy this season were ended by a comprehensive 4-0 aggregate defeat by PSG (shoutout to the PSG fan who downloaded an Everton badge onto his phone to goad the Reds at Anfield – lovely stuff). It was a 17th defeat of the season in all competitions for Arne Slot’s side; on only six occasions have they lost more since 1992, and they are just three off their record of 20 set in 1993. They are four points clear of Chelsea in the final Champions League qualification spot, sitting in fifth, but a chasing pack – including Everton – are hunting them down.
Only once in the last 13 seasons have Everton been within five points of Liverpool this late in the campaign. Another win here and they could end the weekend sixth, with the prospect of Champions League football and finishing as Merseyside’s top dogs within sight. I know what you’re saying, though.
This is Liverpool, right? Everton have won the derby just six times this century, so form going into those games has rarely mattered. But what it does show is that Everton should not fear Liverpool – something they often do, particularly at Anfield.