Everton have chance to stop ‘Benchmark’ Liverpool in their tracks
Everton are set to face one of their toughest games of the Premier League season as they gear themselves up to face Liverpool.
The two sides are set to play in the last-ever Merseyside derby at Goodison Park as the Toffees ready themselves to move to their new Bramley Moore-Dock stadium at the end of the term.
Things haven’t always gone in Everton’s favour over their last few meetings but the fact that the Toffees were the last team to an away Premier League defeat on Liverpool shows that they have what it takes to get it done.
All Merseyside derbies have some sort of intrigue behind them but Wednesday’s clash has an awful lot riding on it.
Everton’s future could depend on the result against Liverpool
Everton supporters are always desperate to get one over their city rivals.
And, with the opening of their new Bramley Moore-Dock Stadium now just around the corner, there hasn’t been a better time for the Toffees to stick one on the Reds and put a dent in their title charge.
Moyes’ return has given the entire squad a new sense of belief and, to be honest, they seem to be a completely new-look team since his appointment.
Writing for the BBC Sport website, BBC Merseyside journalist Ian Kennedy shared his thoughts on the “benchmark” that Liverpool have set over the last few seasons and what he will ask his Everton side to remember in their bid to break it.
“Moyes also knows that Liverpool are a benchmark team. If you can reach their standards throughout a season, then you’re doing well,” he wrote.
“But he will want to surpass those same standards tonight. He will ask his players to grow into the roles that the supporters expect from them, for an historic encounter at this wonderful old stadium.
“If you know your history, you will know what is needed this evening. Liverpool are the best side in the country, but no team is unbeatable.
“David Moyes will not be asking his players to remember the past tonight. He will be telling them to think of the future. For Everton, that future has to begin with what happens tonight.”
David Moyes needs to instil belief into his squad before the last derby at Goodison Park
While performance is one of the key aspects of being a winning team, without belief, you have nothing.
Before the Scotsman’s return, many felt like Everton were down and out for the count with their Premier League status slowly slipping out of their grasp.
However, they’ve managed to defy the odds and create a solid nine-point gap between themselves and the drop zone.
The fact they’ve won all three of their last five Premier League games also shows how ready the blue half of Merseyside are for the clash.
Only time will tell what the future holds of course but if Moyes can instil the belief into his team that Liverpool can be beaten, they could manage to pull off an upset.