Liverpool have the opportunity to deepen Everton’s struggles at Anfield as they face off in the 246th Merseyside derby. Everton have not won at Anfield in front of fans since 1999, and a victory for Liverpool will not only move them closer to the title but also extend their dominance in this fixture.
A Record-Breaking Derby
This derby will be the 246th meeting between the two teams, with 212 of those encounters taking place in the top-flight. A win for Liverpool would mark their 100th victory in all competitions against their city rivals, adding to the 78 draws and 68 defeats.
The match also promises to be historic as it will likely set a new attendance record for a Merseyside derby at Anfield, following the stadium’s expansion. The current record stands at 56,060, set in April 1963 during a league match.
Everton’s Anfield Woes
Everton’s last victory at Anfield with fans present came in September 1999, when a fourth-minute goal from Kevin Campbell secured all three points. That match saw red cards for three players—Sander Westerveld and Steven Gerrard for Liverpool, and Francis Jeffers for Everton.
In recent history, Everton have struggled to come from behind in league matches at Anfield. Their only two wins after conceding the opening goal were in 1906 and 1923. More recently, they’ve only held a lead for a total of 36 minutes in league matches in this millennium—20 minutes in February 2002 and 16 minutes in January 2011, both of which ended in draws.
Mo Salah’s Form Against Everton
Mo Salah has been in exceptional form, and his record against Everton is formidable. With eight goals and two assists in 12 appearances against the Toffees, he is just one goal away from equaling Steven Gerrard’s record as Liverpool’s all-time top scorer in the league against Everton.
Salah has been directly involved in a goal in 13 out of 14 Premier League games at Anfield this season, with a remarkable 12-game streak. Only Alan Shearer has had a longer streak in Premier League history, and Salah could be poised to break another record with his continued excellent form.
Conclusion
As the two teams prepare for this historic derby, Liverpool will look to capitalize on their superior form and Everton’s Anfield struggles. With the chance for Salah to make his mark, this promises to be another thrilling chapter in the Merseyside derby saga.
