The Toffees haven’t finished ahead of their Merseyside rivals since the 2012/13 season, but they’re very much the form team in the city right now.
Liverpool’s Adam Lallana in action with Everton’s Gareth Barry
Liverpool fans could be forgiven for nervously looking over their shoulders, as city rivals Everton are just five points behind the Reds and on a terrific run of form.
Ronald Koeman’s side are now unbeaten in their last nine league matches, which is in stark contrast to how Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are performing, with just one Premier League victory in 2017.
With Liverpool facing both Arsenal and Manchester City in their next three fixtures, that run could well go on a little longer, while they’ll also have a resolute Burnley to host in-between the Arsenal and City matches.
By contrast, while Everton have to go to Tottenham Hotspur in their next fixture, they then have two home matches against West Bromwich Albion and Hull – both of which are winnable.
Everton’s Romelu Lukaku in action with Liverpool’s Nathaniel Clyne
It makes for one of the most exciting Merseyside derbies in years when the two clash on April 1st, as by that point, Everton could genuinely be in a position to leapfrog Liverpool with a victory at Anfield.
While it seemed unfathomable in December that Klopp could be under serious pressure, if Everton are to sneak ahead of Liverpool and stay there, big questions will be asked of the German. Though performances by the Reds have at times been breathtaking, a finish below their fierce rivals, and surely then down in sixth or seventh position will lead many to ask how far the former Dortmund manager has taken the side during his time in charge.
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