Everton’s Date with Destiny Awaits
When league champions Manchester United lost 5–0 to Newcastle United in 1996, they followed that result with two more league defeats. They lost 6–3 to Southampton and 2–1 to Chelsea. The 6–3 loss is one of the Red Devils’ worst ever league performances, and the result against Chelsea left United in sixth place and eight points off the top of the table.
Their 5–0 defeat against Chelsea in 1999, the only other time a league champion lost by a margin of five goals before Liverpool’s 7–2 loss to Aston Villa, saw a better reaction. Alex Ferguson’s men won their next league game 4–1 to Watford, but then lost 3–1 to Tottenham.
Both 5–0 defeats would occur in October, like Liverpool, but they would only go on to lose five league games from the remaining 54 games of those two campaigns. They would also go on to win both league titles, retaining their crown.
Freak results happen in football. It’s part of the charm of the entire sport. Everyone remembers where they were when Germany beat Brazil 7–1, for example. How teams react to those results can define them.
For United, they dusted themselves off and fought their way back to their crown. Those matches now mere blips in a long period of success.
Meanwhile, this is now a defining moment for Jurgen Klopp’s side. How they react will be what makes or breaks their attempts to retain the title.
What better a next opponent than Merseyside rivals Everton? It’s been 10 years since the Blues last won this fixture, a 2–0 victory over Roy Hodgson’s side. Liverpool were at their lowest point in the Premier League era, those were the conditions necessary for the Toffees to get one over the Red side.
It’s been a long 10 years for Everton’s fans. In that time, Liverpool have gone from strength to strength and won everything there is to win. For Everton, they have languished in mid table, without even the simple joy of a victory over their closest rivals to celebrate.
But now the tides have turned ever so slightly, and this may well be Everton’s best chance at derby spoils 10 years to the day since that last win.
Klopp was effusive in his praise of this Everton side, who will arrive for Saturday’s kick off top of the table.
“You don’t need to be a manager to see that [Everton are challengers]. It’s pretty clear that they did some good business and Carlo [Ancelotti] is a sensational manager,” said the German.
“This team looks really, really good.”
Ancelotti’s side are only one of two sides remaining with a 100% league record this season. They have scored the most goals and have the second best defensive record.
England striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been the one banging in the goals. He has scored in every game this season, including a hat trick at Goodison Park against West Brom, to lead the league with six in total — he even scored for England during the international break against Wales.
However, the star of the show has no doubt been James Rodriguez. The Colombian was signed from Real Madrid over the Summer, and he has run the game from midfield oozing with class with every touch.
Ancelotti knows to be wary of the threat of a side of Liverpool’s stature. The champions can simply never be written off.
“We have to pay attention, they have a lot of quality, but I think we have to be confident to be able to show our quality,” said the Italian.
“It will be a fantastic challenge tomorrow. We are ready for this challenge knowing that maybe it’s the most difficult challenge for us in this moment.”
Liverpool have also been weakened by three of their players testing positive for Covid-19 in recent weeks.
New signing Thiago Alcantara, star player Sadio Mané and midfielder Naby Keita have all suffered from the virus. Thiago and Mané are expected to be fit for Saturday’s game, but Keita will miss out for selection.
Alisson Becker, Liverpool’s goalkeeper, remains on the sidelines with injury with Adrian expected to reprise his role between the sticks. His mistake led to the first goal in the defeat against Villa last time out. Alisson’s absence is a major blow for the champions.
In contrast, Everton have no injury concerns following a tough international break. Their biggest concern will, however, also be in goal as Jordan Pickford remains fully fit.
Southampton put six past the reigning champions in 1996, but Watford shipped four in 1999. Everton will be hoping to emulate the former, but a humiliation similar to the latter will halt all their momentum dead in its tracks. A season defining match potentially awaits. To the victor may go the spoils.
