Denting Liverpool’s title ambitions will be a big enough incentive for local rivals Everton on Saturday but the fact it is also the last Merseyside Premier League derby at Goodison Park in the will add extra spice to the occasion.
Everton will move out of their spiritual home since 1892 at the end of the season, taking up residence at their swish new 52,000 capacity Bramley-Moore Dock stadium.
While the club’s owners and fans hope that will mark the beginning of a new era of success after many years in the doldrums, the new ground may struggle to recreate the fevered atmosphere of derby day at Goodison Park.
Just under 40,000 will witness the 245th clash between the rivals on Saturday lunchtime but the decibel level will sound like much more as Sean Dyche’s hosts try to beat the leaders and create one last abiding memory for the blue half of the city.
The first Mersey derby at Goodison Park in October 1894 resulted in a 3-0 victory for Everton and while a similar outcome might be fanciful, given the current form of table-topping Liverpool, the form book may go out of the window.
Klopp’s replacement Arne Slot will get his first taste of the Merseyside rivalry on Saturday but judging by the way he has started his reign he will take it all in his calm stride.
Liverpool have won 18 of their 21 games under Dutchman Slot, although Wednesday’s 3-3 draw at Newcastle United in one of the best games of the Premier League season so far did reduce their lead to seven points.
Slot’s side have the chance to widen the gap to 10 points ahead of the later kick-offs but will be wary of an Everton side buoyed a 4-0 drubbing of fellow strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday, their best display of the season.
