‘Beware the wounded animal’ – Murphy warns Everton ahead of crucial derby game
Danny Murphy has warned Everton to ‘beware the wounded animal’ when they take on Liverpool next weekend.
Everton could be seen as favourites going into next weekend’s Merseyside derby, with the Toffees top of the Premier League and Liverpool reeling from their humbling 7-2 loss to Aston Villa.
Former Anfield man Murphy has said that Everton need to be careful going into the game because ‘Liverpool may even benefit from Ancelotti’s side being so confident’.
Speaking in his column in the Daily Mail he said, “For the first time for many years, the blue half of the city will understandably go into the game expecting to win but in football you are best to be careful, particularly given a team as good as this Liverpool.
“Everton will not have the advantage of a full-house roaring them on and Liverpool may even benefit from Ancelotti’s side being so confident they will get on the front foot. If I was in the blue dressing-room, I would say beware the wounded animal, particularly as Sadio Mane, Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara should be all right to return.”
Everton haven’t beaten Liverpool since October 2010 and Toffees fans will feel that next weekend’s game will be their best opportunity to get one over on their city rivals in recent times.
Everton’s start to the season has been incredibly impressive. As it stands they have won every game they have played in all competitions and look a much-improved side from last season.
The form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and James Rodriguez has helped the Toffees to their great start and the other summer additions of Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure also looked to have settled in well to life at Goodison Park.
If Everton can beat their local rivals it will represent a huge changing of the times at Goodison Park. It will say that the club finally has a quality coach in Ancelotti, one good enough for the stature of Everton Football Club.
In other Everton news, Chris Sutton heaps praise on ‘fantastic’ Everton star after international display.