Paul Merson has made his prediction for the Merseyside derby clash between Everton and Liverpool at Anfield this weekend.
The two sides clash in the first game after the international break with Sean Dyche’s side having three wins in the last four games, while Liverpool are winless in their last two in the Premier League.
And while Merson told Sportskeeda (20 October) that this is the “perfect time to play Liverpool”, he admitted that he can’t see anything but the Reds picking up all three points on the day.
“I think this is the perfect time to play Liverpool – after the international break,” he said.
“There are a lot of South Americans on the team who are coming back during the week, and it will depend on how the likes of Jota and Diaz are feeling when they are back. Liverpool have several forwards in their ranks this season and they will have the firepower to get the better of Everton.
“Everton are going to sit back and play on the counter, and they need to be at the top of their game. They are one of those teams that can surprise you, and they get results when you least expect it from them. They will keep it tight, but Liverpool will cause them problems.
“The gulf between these two teams is too big, and I don’t see how Everton can hold out this weekend. It’s extraordinary how big the gap between these two teams has become over the years. This game can be a leveller on a few occasions, but you watch both teams this season and you can’t see anything but a Liverpool win.
“Liverpool 2-0 Everton.”
No pressure
There aren’t many people around who are expecting Everton to pick up even one point against Liverpool, nevermind all three, and that means minimal pressure.
So far this season we have been playing well but the results haven’t been going our way for the most part, but at some point that has to change if we want to stop being involved in relegation battles.
Liverpool are going to be without some regular first-team players for the game and we’ve heard them complain countless times about playing in the early kick-off, so this is a chance to catch them cold and find a way to pick up three points.
There is a big gap in quality between the two teams and nobody doubts it, and our record at Anfield is poor, but records are there to be broken.
We have a big chance to shock the world and get a big result which will no doubt go a long way to helping us to secure our Premier League status and start climbing up the table.