(Credit: BBC Sport on YouTube/Imago)

Jacob Raw

Fri 17 April 2026 18:10, UK Updated Fri 17 April 2026 18:57, UK

Wayne Rooney has defended Everton fans before the Merseyside derby, as UFC star and Liverpool lover Paddy Pimblett believes Toffees supporters are obsessed with the Reds.

The Blues host Arne Slot’s side in a first-ever Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson this Sunday, in a game which is more important than ever for both teams.

David Moyes is hoping to get Everton into a European spot come the end of the Premier League season, and a win over Liverpool would close the gap to just two points.

The rivalry is in the history books as one of the most fierce derbies in world football, and Rooney knows what it means to be an Evertonian.

However, some have suggested that Everton fans care more about Liverpool losing than their own team winning, and this is the stand that UFC star Pimblett takes.

Paddy Pimblett says he’s ‘not confident’ for Liverpool win

Everton have only beaten Liverpool six times since the start of the 2000’s, but their new home on the Banks of the Royal Mersey poses a fresh era.

One that the Blues will be hoping to emerge dominant from, as Moyes will look to capitalise on some of the Reds’ current issues.

While speaking on BBC Sport‘s ‘The Wayne Rooney Show’, Pimblett and Rooney were in discussion over the game and the rivalry, to which the former Everton star jumped to the defence of Evertonians.

Pimblett claimed: “Normally, I’m very confident, I’m like ‘yeah, we will slap these’, but I’ll be honest, this time I’m not confident. Moyes just does something for Everton, it’s weird.

“My mates who are Everton fans celebrate more when Liverpool loses than when Everton wins.”

Rooney replied: “Of course, you’re happy when Liverpool lose. It’s the same with Liverpool fans when Manchester United lose. They [Liverpool fans] think that we hate them so much.”

Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike picked up a devastating ACL injury in their midweek Champions League loss to PSG, with Slot now having to rely on Alexander Isak to finally hit form.

All signs are pointing to it being a contest where the momentum swings in favour of the Blues, but it’s football, and anything can happen.

Everton have perfect chance to strike main Liverpool weakness

Everton will most likely set up a low defensive block against Liverpool and will allow the visitors to have the majority of possession.

However, this is what the Toffees are used to, and it’s what is stopping the Reds from being able to break down their opponents right now.

Liverpool like to dominant the ball, but Moyes will see no threat in that as the way Slot’s team plays only does well when their is confidence, which won’t be there this weekend.

The Reds won’t be an easy turnover, of course, but the blueprint is there for what could be a comfortable victory if Everton show up.

It’s a showdown with plenty riding on it, and one that could go down in history as a huge win for the Toffees in the 21st century.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.