Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Sun 5 April 2026 13:10, UK

Everton could be sniffing a big Merseyside derby win against Liverpool in the coming weeks.

The Toffees beat Chelsea 3-0 before the international break, keeping them firmly in the race for European football, while they picked up successive home wins for the first time since moving to Hill Dickinson Stadium.

At the same time, rivals Liverpool have continued to falter throughout the campaign, with the Reds returning from the break with a heavy 4-0 FA Cup defeat against Manchester City.

With a big clash against Brentford carrying huge European implications, David Moyes’ side will look to continue their form before they welcome their rivals to their new stomping ground for the first time.

Given the respective form of both sides, the Blues may consider themselves to have the upper hand over their neighbours heading into the derby.

Liverpool form continues to falter – Everton handed big boost

Following their Premier League win last term, Liverpool looked to continue shifting through the gears under Slot, with the big money signings of Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and more all arriving at Anfield.

Despite the influx of talent, they have continued to struggle in the league – leaving a Champions League place in doubt.

Slot’s side have lost 10 times in the league this term, while their heavy cup defeat to Manchester City indicates just how far away they are from those challenging for the title.

Alongside this, the Reds have two upcoming Champions League legs against Paris Saint-Germain before the derby, with a league clash against Fulham sandwiched between.

In another boost for the Toffees, half of the 10 losses have come following a midweek Champions League tie, meaning that Everton will be sniffing blood following the second leg against the European champions at Anfield.

Liverpool sit fifth in the standings, just three points clear of Everton in eighth, and if results go a certain way in between, Moyes’ side could even leapfrog the Premier League Champions – something considered unthinkable last summer.

Everton have the chance to make a huge Hill Dickinson Stadium statement

In the hunt for a European position for the first time since 2017, it has been a fantastic capaign for Moyes’ side thus far, after a tumultuous period competing at the wrong end of the Premier League.

As of now, the Toffees sit eighth, and they are full of confidence after the run heading into the international break, with the season’s crunch point approaching.

Alongside their own form, they will take huge confidence knowing the stuttering form of their rivals, and what also seems to be the inability to deal with pressure in big games, as most recently highlighted in the FA Cup.

To make matters even sweeter for supporters, they have the chance to further impact the Champions League race after beating Chelsea, with the Liverpool clash approaching, leaving them in a spot in which they could even enter that race themselves. 

The Reds sit just three points away in fifth. Should the Toffees pick up what could be a season-defining win against Brentford after the international break, they have the chance to draw level or even overtake their arch rivals. 

Not only would this be a huge statement as they battle for Europe, it would be a huge blow to Liverpool after spending so much last summer.

And for Blues fans, after the sensational scenes in the final derby at Goodison Park last season, they could be on for an iconic day at their new stadium, cementing their place in the European positions during the process.