Former Star Backs Liverpool for ‘Revenge’ Against Everton in Merseyside Derby Clash
With the international break finally over, Liverpool will look to push one step closer to securing the Premier League title as they face Everton in the Merseyside Derby at Anfield.
The past few weeks have been tricky for the Reds. Firstly being knocked out of the UEFA Champions League on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain and then losing the Carabao Cup Final against Newcastle United at Wembley.
However, former Liverpool star Danny Murphy believes this is the perfect match for the Reds to get their season back on track, when speaking exclusively to EPL Index, courtesy of Poker Firma.
“You Always Remember!”
“It’s now time for Liverpool refocus after a difficult few weeks,” began Murphy, “There’s no better game to do that than against Everton at Anfield.”
“Playing midweek at Anfield straight after an international break is their [Everton] worst nightmare because the fans will well and truly be up for it.”
“You just need to look at the last time these two sides met and what I will say is that you always remember…”
That is of course referring to the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park earlier this season, where Everton scored a last-minute equaliser on controversial fashion. This was then followed up by a brawl at the final whistle as Liverpool’s Curtis Jones took issue with Abdoulaye Doucoure’s celebrations in front of the travelling Reds.
Arne Slot and Sipke Hulshoff were both sent off after the final whistle for their ‘aggressive’ manner towards referee Michael Oliver.
“That controversy doesn’t go away,” pointed out Murphy, “It’s now all about how you can channel that frustration into a positive mindset and performance against them this time around.”
“I’d actually say that the defeats to PSG and Newcastle United will serve as more of a boost for Liverpool,” said Murphy, “Those defeats are still very fresh and will still be sore for that Liverpool squad and they will want to put it right.”
Looking Ahead to the Derby
Liverpool currently sit 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League table, with nine games to go. Arne Slot’s side currently need just five more wins to clinch their deserved title and a victory over Everton on Wednesday would be huge.
A win could move them 15 points clear of second-placed Arsenal, with the Gunners hosting Fulham at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night too.
After that, Liverpool will actually be hoping for a favour from their Merseyside rivals as Everton host Arsenal in the early kick-off on Saturday. By the end of this week, we *could* be seeing this title race as done and dusted, if that isn’t already the case.
