Stuart Pearce admits Sean Dyche and Everton can go down in history with Merseyside Derby victory live on talkSPORT
TalkSPORT pundit Stuart Pearce believes Sean Dyche’s Everton side can go down as “incredible” history makers if they beat Liverpool in the Merseyside derby on Monday night (13 February).
The Toffees travel across the city to face their bitter rivals in an attempt to make it two wins from two games since Frank Lampard was sacked and Dyche was brought in as his successor.
Pearce suggested live on talkSPORT (Monday 13 February) that Everton possess the weapons to take the game to Jurgen Klopp’s side from the first whistle and claim a historic win.
He said: “I think it’s a brilliant time [to face Liverpool]. I said the other day that I think Everton have got as good a chance of beating them as they’ve had in the last two decades, I really do.
“Liverpool are looking a bit shaky, and the way Sean sets his team up and get the ball forward reasonably quickly, in behind Liverpool, I think that’s their Achilles heel at the moment.
“If he wins tonight – his first two games – I’m not sure in living memory I can remember a manager who has gone in there, beaten Arsenal, who were top of the league, and if they go to Anfield, their local rivals and win that, it’s an incredible start to his campaign.”
Colossal match
The Merseyside derby always brings a heightened sense of emotion to it, but this one feels far bigger than usual when considering the precarious positioning of the two teams in the Premier League table.
The Reds have been in dire form since the New Year, with 3-0 defeats to Brighton and Wolves sandwiching a further defeat to the Seagulls in the FA Cup. If ever there was going to be a chance to catch Liverpool off guard and clinch an unlikely victory, this is it.
With the Everton players full of confidence after the brilliant 1-0 win against Arsenal in Dyche’s first game in charge, they will believe they claim another scalp in their fight against relegation.
With relegation rivals West Ham, Wolves, and Bournemouth all picking up points over the weekend, the pressure is well and truly on the Toffees to stay with the pack and pick up a result at Anfield on Monday.
It won’t be easy, and it is sure to be full of controversy, but Dyche has the momentum to nick a result in the local derby.