Ashley Williams feels Everton will fancy their chances at Liverpool in the Merseyside derby on February 13. The Toffees beat Arsenal on Saturday before the Reds faltered at Wolves.
James Tarkowski secured Everton a 1-0 win at home to the Premier League leaders in Sean Dyche’s debut in charge. The Toffees appointed the Kettering-born coach on Monday with the Goodison Park outfit 19th in the table. They had also won a league-low three matches.
Yet former Liverpool defender Williams now believes Everton will ‘fancy their chances’ at Anfield when they visit next. The ex-Wales international looked ahead to the Merseyside derby after Jurgen Klopp’s squad hit the dressing rooms 2-0 down at half-time at Wolves.
“If Everton watch this game and when Sean Dyche and his coaching staff watch what we have seen so far today, unless there’s a reaction from Liverpool, they will definitely fancy themselves,” Williams said on the BBC’s Final Score.
“Wolves have had another few chances that they haven’t taken. The way that Everton performed today, and the way that Liverpool are performing so far, they will definitely fancy their chances at this stage.”
Everton earned a result against Arsenal before Liverpool’s shambles at Wolves
Wolves stunned Liverpool to take a lead after only five minutes on Saturday as Joel Matip turned in an own goal. Craig Dawson then doubled the Molineux natives’ advantage after 12 minutes. Julen Lopetegui’s line-up were up for the fight far more than Klopp’s squad were.
Liverpool laboured their way through the first period and paid the price for poor defending to trail 2-0. Klopp also witnessed wasteful shooting by his stars in the West Midlands. Per WhoScored, the Reds took eight shots during the first half but only directed one on target.
Anfield players, instead, sent five wide of the mark as their hosts forced Alisson into three saves. Wolves directed five of their seven first-half efforts on target, while attempting 253 passes to Liverpool’s 254. The teams hit half-time with Wolves on 49% possession to 51%.
Everton, meanwhile, were worth their result at home to Premier League leaders Arsenal in the early kick-off. Tarkowski handed Dyche a dream debut in charge with the Toffees’ first win in 11 fixtures in all competitions. The Toffees also fashioned by far the better chances.
Next up, Dyche will take his Everton to Liverpool for the Merseyside derby on February 13. The Toffees, under Frank Lampard, held Klopp’s squad to a 0-0 draw at Goodison Park on September 3. The Reds won last season’s top-flight encounters 4-1 away and 2-0 at home.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
