Liverpool v Everton: Can Merseyside’s crisis-hit clubs save their season?

Everton manager Sean Dyche takes charge of a Merseyside derby for the first time

It’s a Merseyside derby where two clubs meet in crisis situations.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are in freefall in Monday’s Premier League meeting at Anfield. They are winless in their last four league games and suffered a humiliating defeat to Wolves in their last game.

Sean Dyche, on the other hand, enjoyed a dream start as Everton manager last weekend beating leaders Arsenal, but his side remain in the relegation zone. BBC Sport takes a look at the main issues surrounding the game.

How bad was that for Liverpool?

Liverpool came close to footballing immortality last season; Now they are ashamed of not qualifying for the Champions League next season.

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Their position in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup has already been abandoned and the out-of-form Reds face a major battle in the last 16 of Europe’s elite club competition, pitting them against Real Madrid, who they have lost to last in the season finale. .

But it was their league form that was most alarming. They face a monumental challenge to finish in the top four as they currently sit in 10th place, 12 points behind Newcastle.

After 20 games this season and a 3-0 loss to Wolves in their last match, they have already conceded 28 goals, two more than all of last season when they finished second – just one point behind champions Manchester City.

“Liverpool have become a soft thing, there’s no energy,” former England captain Alan Shearer said of the match of the day. “They don’t put any pressure on the ball, it’s too easy.

“Klopp does not come out of this Liverpool team enough. You can complain about a lack of investment, complain about physically tired players, but that first half against Wolves just wasn’t acceptable.”

The Reds have enjoyed a long spell of success under German boss Klopp but face a number of problems including an aging squad in need of a rebuild in midfield, lingering injuries among key players – Thiago is the latest – and a potential sale of the association via the summer.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports: “There was money for a midfielder in the summer, they tried to get the boy (23-year-old French international Aurelien Tchouameni) who went to Real Madrid and they were able to…it doesn’t take…him.

“Jürgen Klopp and his team decided then that we didn’t need to sign a midfielder – it’s up to them. Then, from day one at Fulham, they weren’t able to manage the intensity of a Premier League game.” Football and they got smashed in almost every game they played.”

Hope for Everton under Dyche?

Everton have started their last game without a win in 11 games in all competitions, with a new manager in the hot seat and thousands of fans marching down Goodison Road in protest at club ownership. They ended the day with three points after a hard-fought victory against leaders Arsenal and now have real hopes of escaping relegation and avoiding the prospect of ending an unbroken spell in the top flight that dates back to 1954.

The Toffees sold academy product Anthony Gordon to Newcastle for £40m last month and were unable to secure a single signing, but nonetheless the transformation under Dyche was evident in a short time the Last weekend.

Everton enjoyed a “new managerial leap” as they beat the Gunners with a brimming display of struggle and determination – all that former manager Frank Lampard lacked.

It was only their fourth league win this season and they found themselves in the relegation zone.

“It’s a starting point,” Dyche said afterwards. “It does not guarantee the next one, I have learned.”

Former Everton defender Ashley Williams said: “Sean Dyche is the kind of character who came in and gave everyone a boost.

“They looked fit and ready (against Arsenal) – and if they keep doing that the fans will be right behind them.”

The visitors could do without striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is described as a ‘touch and go’ with a hamstring problem.

Everton Derby misery

Everton’s record against Liverpool in the Premier League is not great with 10 wins in 61 games.

The Toffees have one win in their last 24 league matches against Liverpool (U13 N10). That victory was in February 2021 at Anfield under Carlo Ancelotti. Their shock 1-0 win against Arsenal last time out came despite having just 28% possession, so how do they get to Liverpool on Monday?
Well, Liverpool have conceded the opener in 12 of their 20 top-flight games this season, so scoring the opener and then staying organized like they did against Arsenal could get the job done.
How crucial will it be for both teams to contain counter-attacks? Everton have conceded the most goals (7) from opponents netting this season, while Liverpool are next on the list with five.
How important is the derby for both teams? Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: “After the game we played against Wolves, we have to show a reaction again. I know our people want to see him, we have to show it.
“This is not a moment we wanted or a moment where we are happy, but I think it is a moment where we can show, if we want to, that the club is really special.”

Everton manager Sean Dyche: “A derby, a great game, a new experience for me. Form goes out the window, but the feel of the game can influence performance. I was looking for a reaction and a performance against arsenal. Can we give another one from last week’s back cover?

“Reds don’t fix vulnerabilities”

Simon Gleave, head of sports analysis at Nielsen’s Gracenote, said: “Liverpool have conceded first in 12 Premier League games this season, twice as many games as at this stage last season and at least three times for first Many consider their best seasons under Klopp after 20 games.

Only Southampton (17), West Ham (14) and Bournemouth (13), who are all currently in the bottom five of the Premier League, have conceded their first goal more often than Liverpool this season.

“This vulnerability was already there towards the end of last season when Liverpool conceded the opener in all of their last four games from 2021 to 2022. The Reds have therefore conceded the opener in 16 of their last 24 Premier League games.

Everton became the first to score at Anfield in a single Premier League match in 20 years. Two years ago Richarlison opened the scoring and Everton won 2-0 to record their only Premier League win this century at Anfield.”