Stan Collymore predicts scoreline of Everton showdown v Liverpool in Merseyside derby
Stan Collymore has predicted Everton to pick up a point in Monday night’s Merseyside Derby against Liverpool at Anfield.
The Toffees head across Stanley Park off the back of an impressive 1-0 win over league leaders Arsenal in Sean Dyche’s first game in charge.
Collymore believes the “uplift” in form will continue under the former Burnley boss and has backed Dyche’s men to draw 1-1 against their fierce rivals.
“Liverpool 1-1 Everton. The Sean Dyche uplift will continue at Everton,” wrote the former Liverpool forward (Sunday People, pg 62, 12 February).
Free hit
Of course, there is pressure on the Toffees to head to Liverpool and pick up three points; it’s the Premier League, and every game is massive. However, the pressure on Jurgen Klopp dwarfs that which is currently on Dyche’s shoulders.
Everton’s season to date means they shouldn’t be expected to go to Anfield and pick up three points. The Liverpool boss has seen a lot of criticism thrown his way in recent weeks and he desperately cannot afford to lose at home to the Toffees.
Klopp also has a number of injury issues to contend with. Virgil van Dijk is out of the fixture and dynamic midfielder Thiago is also likely to be out after missing training.
The win over Arsenal has already bought Dyche some time and he will be heading to Anfield hoping to make life as awkward and difficult as possible for the Reds. Evertonians will certainly be looking forward to the clash on Monday evening (13 February).