Martin Keown on the Merseyside derby: While Liverpool will be overwhelming favourites, Sean Dyche’s Everton side will know the occasion can be a real leveller

• Everton are always cast as second favourites when travelling to Anfield
• But while Liverpool will be overwhelming favourites, the derby is a leveller 
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’

Saturday is the 63rd Merseyside derby of the Premier League era and I still remember playing in the very first edition, Everton triumphing 2-1 over Liverpool amid an eruption of ecstasy at Goodison Park in December 1992. 

Walking out with those iconic Liverpool teams of the eighties and nineties. Lining up against illustrious names like Dalglish, Rush and Barnes. You knew the watching world had you down as automatic underdogs. 

Regardless of what you had achieved yourself, you were forever cast as second favourites when playing Liverpool, particularly away at Anfield. 

That stadium was, and still is, an atmospheric cauldron. I went there with Arsenal, with Brighton, with Aston Villa, but never is it noisier than when you walk out wearing the blue of the enemy that is Everton. 

However, a word of warning for those expecting an easy win for Liverpool today: these derby days can be a great leveller. Even the most elite player can let his heart rule his head and by full-time, you can find yourself celebrating a win that nobody else thought was possible. 

I’ve played in my share of Merseyside derbies, and the occasion can level the playing field

I still remember playing in the very first Premier League edition, Everton’s 2-1 win in 1992

Sean Dyche’s Everton will believe it is their time to cause an upset, despite starting in 16th

Sean Dyche’s Everton will believe it is their turn to cause an almighty upset. Though they are 16th in the Premier League after winning none of their first five fixtures, they have now won two of their last three, and Liverpool should not make the mistake of thinking this will be a walkover. 

Everton’s Premier League rankings 

Shots – 2nd to Tottenham

Fast breaks – 2nd to Aston Villa

Shots from fast breaks – 2nd to Aston Villa

Tackles – 1st

Possession won all over the pitch – 1st

Crosses – 2nd to Luton

Duels won – 2nd to Crystal Palace

Aerial duels won – 2nd to Luton

Only Tottenham have managed more shots than Everton this season, a good chunk of them coming from counter-attacks. That is how the visitors will look to hurt Liverpool. 

Everton have only won two of their 12 Premier League away games under Dyche, but in those eye-catching victories, it was a countering approach which inflicted 5-1 and 3-1 defeats on teams that like to keep the ball in Brighton and Brentford. 

As ever, if you want to be clinical on the counter, you need a solid defensive base and Everton’s back four has been transformed since the start of this season. 

Ashley Young has moved from left back to right back, their most consistent central defender James Tarkowski is now partnering the impressive Jarrad Branthwaite instead of Michael Keane, and Vitaliy Mykolenko is being trusted at left back. 

This new-look defence will be tested by Liverpool, whose forwards are experts at making off-the-ball runs into the box, whether it be Darwin Nunez or Cody Gakpo at the top of the team. 

Everton’s 4-4-1-1 system includes Abdoulaye Doucoure supporting Dominic Calvert-Lewin in attack. 

I expect Doucoure will drop into midfield to boost Everton’s defensive solidity when Liverpool have the ball and fly forward whenever Calvert-Lewin secures possession. Everyone else in blue will push up in support as Everton try to beat Liverpool on the break. 

Jurgen Klopp will look for four wins to prepare Liverpool for their trip to Manchester City

The loss of Andrew Robertson is a challenge on the left, because of his leadership and energy

This should be the start of Liverpool’s advance on challenging for the top spot.

It is a perfect homecoming after the international break to walk out at Anfield.

Klopp will hope to piece together a run in the next four league games before a trip to Manchester City next month. In the next four games they face Everton, Nottingham Forest, Luton and Brentford. They need to look to win all four.

The loss of Andrew Robertson, who gives them leadership, thrust and energy down the left. He’s been influential and instrumental in Liverpool’s balance. His overlapping runs are a feature of this team.

As he loses one top full-back, he gains another. Trent Alexander Arnold is fit to start again.

James Garner looks so much more comfortable in central midfield. He was being used as a right winger by Dyche, but now that Jack Harrison is available, Garner can have a greater influence from central areas. 

Premier League Merseyside derbies

Played: 62

Liverpool wins: 27

Draws: 25

Everton wins 10

He can use his quality passing range from there and has scored two opening goals when used centrally, in the 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Aston Villa and 3-0 Premier League victory over Bournemouth. 

It’s good to see this Manchester United academy graduate who impressed on loan to Nottingham Forest now coming to prominence with Everton and he has the opportunity to make his mark on Saturday. 

Garner’s positional change means Harrison can be deployed on the right and Dwight McNeil on the left. McNeil is a Dyche favourite from his time at Burnley and likes to move inside from the wing, picking up possession in pockets of space as Doucoure pushes up alongside Calvert-Lewin. 

This tactic worked well against Bournemouth but would risk leaving Mykolenko exposed to Mohamed Salah, Liverpool’s right winger who has scored or assisted in his last 12 Premier League games at Anfield. 

Salah’s five goals in Merseyside derbies is still way short of Ian Rush’s record of 25. Everton cannot risk helping Salah add to his existing tally by leaving Mykolenko devoid of protection on that flank.

Although Liverpool will be overwhelming favourites, Everton need to embrace their underdogs tag. From personal experience, anything is possible in a Merseyside derby.

James Garner looks so much more comfortable in central midfield and he can make his mark

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has scored or assisted in his last 12 league games at Anfield

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