Alan Brazil and Ally McCoist agree on ‘sad’ Everton reality v Liverpool
Everton hosting Liverpool in the final Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park is set to be a historic occasion on Wednesday.
Ahead of their move across the city to Bramley-Moore Dock come the summer, the Toffees will welcome their arch-rivals across the Stanley Park divide for the very last time at Goodison.
The Grand Old Lady has played host to some historic derbies across its 133 years – not least last term’s 2-0 win to knock Liverpool out of the title race – but Wednesday’s match is set to take things up a notch.
Players past and present are expected to make the occasion one which will forever be etched in both the club and the city’s history, but David Moyes‘ sole focus will be on beating the odds against Liverpool by coming away with all three points.
Brazil and McCoist on ‘sad’ Everton v Liverpool occasion
Speaking on talkSPORT (12 February, 6:38am), McCoist and Brazil looked forward to what’s expected to be a fervent atmosphere at Goodison, but also one which is set to be tinged with sadness.
Brazil said: “The last derby at Goodison. Goodison’s a great atmosphere, by the way.”
“I love Goodison, I’ve got to say absolutely love the place”, McCoist added. “I was there a couple of times last year – at one of the games, the atmosphere was magic.
“I hope that’s a game tonight, but Everton-Liverpool, the last Merseyside Derby at Goodison – quite sad really, isn’t it?”
Brazil replied: “It’s always sad when you leave a traditional, great big old stadium with so much history.”
Everton must rise to the occasion v Liverpool
Officially saying goodbye to Goodison Park for good isn’t set to come for a few months yet, but there’s no denying that Everton fans the world over will see Wednesday’s derby as their biggest fixture of this season, bar none.
The Grand Old Lady’s atmosphere is well-known on a global scale, but there won’t be many nights quite like what Wednesday could serve up in terms of hostility towards the Toffees’ bitter rivals.
It’s true that the occasion itself will be a bittersweet one for fans of both clubs on Merseyside, with the expected atmosphere set to highlight just what the Blues are leaving behind once their move is made.
Liverpool supporters who have travelled to the other side of Stanley Park for years on end will also hope the atmosphere lives up to the occasion, as one of football’s closest geographical rivalries is widened.
Moyes’ Blues and Arne Slot’s Reds have both won their last three straight Premier League games, and it remains to be seen if Everton’s famous old home can get them over the line, for the very last time.