Everton make the short trip across Stanley Park this Sunday for the Merseyside derby in a far worse position than they found themselves to Liverpool at the same stage last season.
Entering this weekend’s round of Premier League matches, the Toffees sit 17th in the table after 31 games. Frank Lampard’s men are also only a single point clear of Burnley and the relegation zone, having lost seven of 11 top-flight fixtures under Rafa Benitez’s successor.
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Liverpool, on the other hand, have their sights set firmly on a second title in three seasons. The Reds entered this weekend level on 32 matches played with Manchester City, but one point behind Pep Guardiola’s side ahead of them hosting Watford at the Etihad Stadium.
Everton were sitting in eighth-place after 31 games played last term under Carlo Ancelotti. The Toffees were even just one spot behind their Merseyside rivals, with Liverpool seventh after 32 games. The Reds had played one game more to hold a four-point lead by April 22.
Liverpool’s lead even came after a first defeat to Everton at Anfield since 1999 in February. A third-minute goal from Richarlison after James Rodriguez fed the Brazilian, plus a penalty by Gylfi Sigurdsson, handed the Toffees a first Merseyside derby win anywhere since 2010.
Lampard repeating Ancelotti’s result will be as much of a surprise as the Italian’s 2-0 win at Anfield. So, what factors have helped contribute to Everton and Liverpool’s vastly different positions from the same games played last season ahead of this week’s Merseyside derby?
Points difference – Everton regress, as Liverpool soar
Everton sat eighth after 31 Premier League games played in the 2020/21 term after taking 49 points under Ancelotti. But Benitez and Lampard have so far only managed to oversee a return of 29 points, having won eight and drawn five of their fixtures to 18 defeats to date.
The Blues have only drawn two fewer fixtures through 31 games, but have lost eight more matches than last season. Liverpool, meanwhile, have won eight more than they managed last term, while drawing once less to claim 23 more points across their 32 matches played.
No side has lost fewer fixtures so far this season than Liverpool, as well, with Jurgen Klopp only beaten twice. In contrast, only Everton’s relegation-rivals Watford (22) and basement boys Norwich City (21) have lost more of their 32 matches played entering this weekend.
Goals scored – Liverpool power to the top, as Everton dry up
Liverpool had the fifth-best offensive record after 32 games last term with 54 goals scored. Manchester City led the way on route to the title with 69, ahead of Manchester United on 64, Leicester City on 58 and Tottenham Hotspur on 56. Everton, meanwhile, hit 43 in 31.
The Reds have powered to the top this term, though, with Klopp’s men hitting the net on 83 occasions. Manchester City sit second with their 75 after 32, ahead of Chelsea (66 in 31) and Tottenham (56 in 32). As for Everton, the Blues sit 15th with just 34 goals through 31.
Klopp has also seen 17 of his 27 stars used score at least once this term. Mohamed Salah (22), Diogo Jota (15) and Sadio Mane (14) have also scored double figures. Only 13 Everton players from 32 to play have found the net, with Richarlison also their top-scorer on seven.
Goals against – Everton leak, as Liverpool tighten up
A major factor behind Liverpool’s underwhelming Premier League position after 32 games last season was the raft of injuries Klopp had to deal with defensively. The absences of key players like Virgil van Dijk meant the Reds were substantially more porous than this term.
The Reds allowed 38 goals against them through their first 32 matches in 2020/21. It was the joint-seventh-best record with Tottenham at 14 goals shipped more than Manchester City. Everton, meanwhile, had the 10th-best record, having allowed 40 goals in 31 games.
This season has seen Liverpool tighten up to boast the second-best record to Manchester City with 22 goals allowed to the Citizens’ 20 in 32 games. Everton, on the other hand, are leaking more, with 53 goals allowed in 31 games. Only five sides have shipped more so far.
Of those to concede more than Everton, Southampton have also conceded their 54 in two more games. Newcastle United, likewise, have let in 55 in 33 games, ahead of relegation-rivals Watford (62 in 32), Norwich (66 in 32) and 16th-placed Leeds United (68 in 32).
Liverpool account for four of the goals Everton have shipped and just one of the goals they have scored. Benitez’s side lost the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park in December after efforts from Jordan Henderson, Salah (twice) and Jota around Demarai Gray’s first-half hit.
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