Liverpool

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Liverpool podcaster Dan Krishan is hoping Arne Slot's side can "take the emotion out" of their final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, as the Reds look to avoid defeat at their rivals' ground for the second season in a row.

The Reds will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table, while the Toffees will be hoping to pull themselves further away from the relegation zone.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live about Everton dealing their title hopes a blow with a 2-0 home win last season, Krishan said: "The A team will be back out for this one. I think everyone will be wanting to prove a point.

"Goodison Park hasn't been the most fruitful place for us in recent years. It has been nine draws across the past 13 games and the last time we won there was in the 2021 season.

"The 2-0 win last year for Everton was a massive dent and it put the final nail into our title hopes.

"If we can just take the emotion out of the game, which is going to be extremely difficult considering it is the last one at Goodison Park, we have the chance to go nine points clear.

"We should absolutely do this."

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Everton fan Kathy Keig believes "history could repeat itself" in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, after the Toffees dealt Liverpool's title hopes a blow with a 2-0 home win last season.

Arne Slot's side will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table, while David Moyes' men will be looking to pull themselves further away from the relegation zone.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Kathy said: "The last derby deserves to go out on a smashing game. I do think that, with our change in manager, we won't just be defending now. Hopefully it will be built on a solid defence, because that's a good start, but we do need to give them a good game.

"We know on paper that there is a huge gap between the two clubs, but I think the fans will be the 12th man and anything could happen.

"Can history repeat itself after last year? We would love to go out on a win - I think the ground deserves that. I just want a great game, for all the players to keep their heads, and for it to be 11 versus 11."

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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There is only the most microscopic chance, on homeopathic levels, that Liverpool will be negatively affected by the loss to Plymouth.

Joyous and historic though it was for the home side, the visitors that started were not even close to the first team that is usually sent out by Arne Slot and the players know this.

Officially it was the first XI but, when you look at the teamsheet, this was for all intents and purposes the reserve side mostly. It should still have been good enough to win as half of those players are regularly trusted to start, but that is not how the players who sat it out will consider it. Salah, Van Dijk, Mac Allister, Konate, Gravenberch, Robertson, Gakpo and Szoboszlai will be as troubled as they are when the stiffs lose while they beat Real Madrid.

In fact, the likes of Salah and Van Dijk might just secretly think it shows them in an even better light - "so you reckoned our replacements were ready to step in and take our places did you?"

Footballers can be selfish, indeed they must have that trait to be so ambitious.

Much more concerning would be a defeat this week against local rivals Everton. Until a month ago, this might have been considered three points in the bag, but with Davie Moyes' return the Toffees look much more potent in the league. If they lost to their great rivals there would still be a comfortable cushion but not as comfortable as it has been.

With Aston Villa and Manchester City away and Newcastle at home in three of the next four games, a derby defeat would be much more likely to wobble the team than the stiffs' embarrassment at Plymouth.

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Mike Hughes
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

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The final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park will evoke a million memories for fans of both Everton and Liverpool.

Goodison staged its first of these fixtures on Saturday, 13 October 1894. A new Football League record of 44,000 fans were in attendance. Everton won the game 3-0 thanks to goals from Tom McInnes, Alex Latta and Tom Bell.

A lot of footballing water has passed under the bridge since then. But remarkably in derby matches played at Goodison in all competitions, both teams have won on 41 occasions. That perhaps underlines the closeness of the rivalry.

Everton fans tonight will invite their memory banks to revisit the Alan Ball-inspired successes against their deadly rivals or Andy King's rocket shot that ended a barren period in derby matches.

In more recent times they can draw on last season's corresponding fixture. Everton's 2-0 victory more or less ended Liverpool's Premier League title hopes. But that painful defeat for the Reds was actually the last time they lost an away game in the league.

In the very short time since returning as manager, David Moyes has gone a long way to changing Everton's season. He's given confidence and belief to the players and restored the faith of the fans. There's still a fair way to go before their Premier League survival is ensured, but the manager has built a solid platform on which to build.

Moyes also knows that Liverpool are a benchmark team. If you can reach their standards throughout a season, then you're doing well. But he will want to surpass those same standards tonight. He will ask his players to grow into the roles that the supporters expect from them, for an historic encounter at this wonderful old stadium.

If you know your history, you will know what is needed this evening. Liverpool are the best side in the country, but no team is unbeatable.

David Moyes will not be asking his players to remember the past tonight. He will be telling them to think of the future. For Everton, that future has to begin with what happens tonight.

Listen to Total Sport Merseyside from 18:00 on weeknights and find details here of live Everton match commentaries on BBC Radio Merseyside

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This is a big week for The Wombats drummer and lifelong Everton fan Dan Haggis.

The band's sixth album, Oh! The Ocean, is out on Friday but, before then, Wednesday sees the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

"I am 100% thinking we can get something out of Wednesday," Haggis told BBC Sport. "It's going to be a tough game but I actually feel really positive heading into it after our run of results in the Premier League.

"Even in the 2-0 loss to Bournemouth in the FA Cup, we hit the post a few times and had the ball cleared off the line, so that was not all doom and gloom.

"Plus, it's the derby and, every year, no matter how badly we are playing at that moment, you always feel like anything can happen when we play Liverpool. Every player might just be up for it that little bit more, and that could make the difference.

"So, yes I am excited about it and in a way, as an Everton fan, the pressure is off. No-one expects us to win so, if we lose - although I will be disappointed - it is not as if this is a game where we are expected to get anything.

"From that point of view, a draw would be a bonus, but I am actually confident we will do better than that, and my prediction is that we will win 2-1.

"With Iliman Ndiaye, and the way the whole team is playing at the moment, we are looking pretty good. Carlos Alcaraz also looked pretty good in his first game on Saturday, so we have got players who could have a special moment or two. All it takes is to get a couple of those in the game."

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Ian Kennedy
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

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It is all about the derby match later so what happened at Plymouth needs to be forgotten quickly.

You do not need any extra incentive to win these games, but Liverpool could take a significant nine-point lead at the top. That would be huge in the context of the title. Sunday was Arne Slot's first big setback, but surely there is no better way to hit back than to win at Everton?

It is a fascinating prospect and, of course, this will not be the Liverpool side that lost at Home Park. Everton had their own disappointment at the weekend, but David Moyes will know the top priority for now is safety - and three recent league wins has gone a long way to securing that.

Everton will certainly have a confidence about them.

Liverpool are so often expected to win these games, based on league positions, but it is rarely that simple. Nine of the past 12 meetings at Goodison Park have been drawn.

These are different games, and the fact it is the final Goodison derby will only add to the occasion. The big hitters are set to return and Liverpool will need all their top players to be at their best.

The good news for Slot is that his players have been at their best almost all season.

Listen to Total Sport Merseyside from 18:00 on weeknights and find details here of live Liverpool match commentaries on BBC Radio Merseyside

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We asked for your favourite Merseyside derby memories before Wednesday's final Goodison Park meeting between Liverpool and Everton.

Here are some of your replies:

Peter: It was 6 December 1969. I was 13 years old. Nil-nil at half time. Minutes after the break, Emlyn Hughes scored from a ball from Cally [Ian Callaghan] - 0-1, it was anyone's game. Then it happened. A cross came over from Thommo [Peter Thompson] but Everton full back Sandy Brown had it covered. With a spectacular diving header he sent the ball into his own net. I was at the front and could see the round, muddy mark of the ball on the right side of his forehead for the rest of the game. A great game, a great win for Liverpool at Goodison. But, all we were talking about for weeks, months perhaps even years after was Sandy Brown's amazing own goal.

Simon: I was nine and went to the derby at the beginning of the 1966-67 season. To see Ray Wilson and Roger Hunt parading the recently won World Cup is a vision that I'll never forget.

Stephen: Went to Goodison as a Reds fan in 2001 - Riise with his run and Gerrard with his first derby goal at Goodison. Won 3-1, sat in top tier of the main stand - wow that was steep. Had to climb up the steps, was a ground to behold in the 80s. Can understand leaving but that Goodison crowd always is mental.

Andrew: When the all-time record goalscorer for Liverpool scored four goals at Goodison Park. Kopites still sing about that night 40 odd years on.

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Long-serving Everton fans spoke to BBC Sport about their Goodison Park memories ahead of the final Merseyside derby at the iconic stadium on Wednesday.

Jackie – going to Goodison for 47 years - said: "It would be amazing to finish here with a win and to go into the new ground on the back of that. A win would be nice because they are the leaders too and it might stop them from winning the league like last season. The chant from last season 'You lost the league, at Goodison Park' will come out again on Wednesday. My first game was in 1978 and they were the glory years for the club and we have been through a rough patch since then.

"The memories of the derby here are not very good, but there have been a lot of draws, that is better than a loss. We don't make it easy for them and things have definitely improved under David Moyes - the players have started playing for the shirt again. They have pride in playing again and we have our old Everton back, that is all I ever wanted."

Mike – going to Goodison for 23 years - told BBC Sport: "Any game now is a countdown towards the last game here at Goodison Park. It is a hugely important game and we are the original club on Merseyside. It is always nice to get one over on our rivals, but it would be especially nice on Wednesday considering the season they are having.

"They lost the league at Goodison Park many times, last season and 2019 too. There were not many positives last season but beating them with such a powerful display was beautiful. We are not going to have too many more games under the lights at Goodison so hopefully we can say goodbye to the Grand Old Lady in style.

"It has been tough going the last few seasons but I was 14 years old when we beat them in the Lee Carsley derby and it was fun going into school the next day. Then it was a while until the Dan Gosling one. We can pin-point the derby wins here. We have not beaten them a huge amount at Goodison but hopefully that will change when we get to the new stadium."

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Natalie – who has been attending Goodison since 1995 - told BBC Sport: "With our recent upturn in results, the threat of relegation has reduced for us so this derby is all about the beginning of the Goodison goodbye for the fans. It is hugely important for us to finish with a win or at least without a defeat. We know Liverpool fans would love to rub it in but we have to avoid that.

"A win on Wednesday would forever be up there as a favourite derby win. The last Everton player to score a winner in the derby at Goodison will go down in history.

"Your first derby win is always special and mine was a 2-0 win in 1997. The best bit for an eight-year-old me was shouting "dodgy keeper" repeatedly at David James. I felt like I was ready to join the 'Ultras'."

Paul – coming to Goodison since the early 60s - commented: "I will feel emotional at the game on Wednesday, remembering all of the great players I have seen in a blue shirt over the course of the 60 years I have been coming to Goodison. I am fervently hoping the team can give us a win that will honour the Blues of the past. If we do win, it will be remembered for a very long time.

"A bad memory from derbies at Goodison is from 1982 when defender Glenn Kealey was signed from Blackburn and given his debut against Liverpool. He was sent off after half an hour. We ended up losing 5-0 and what made it worse was I was sitting next to a Red. It was the longest afternoon of my life!

"The good memory is from 1994, Joe Royle's first game as manager and bottom of the league with only one win all season. Liverpool were near the top but we won 2-0 with Duncan Ferguson's first goal for Everton and ended up winning the FA Cup at the end of the season."

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Chris, who has been attending Goodison for 48 years, contacted BBC Sport and said: "It would be fantastic to sign off the last possible derby here with a victory and it's going to happen because of the David Moyes factor and the form the side have been in. They will start plummeting after this game and we'll give a boost to Mikel [Arteta] because he did well for us.

"Through the 1970s it was frustrating, the 80s were fantastic and we were getting on top of them but then English clubs got banned from Europe and that put the boot in to us. We have had a few disasters against them here though, like the 5-0 defeat in 1982."

Guy and his son Sammy wrote: "A win on Wednesday would go down in history, I think we will stay in the league by the end of the season but to sign off with a win is something I cannot put into words. Just beating them on any occasion is amazing but to beat them on Wednesday would be immense. It would also mean bragging rights this side of the city.

"The memory of playing Liverpool here last season is good, but we have not had a good time of it over the years. It has been tough. With the new owners, things are stable for the first time in a long time and we are moving in the right direction. I was happy getting David Moyes in, we were here for the third round game against Peterborough when Sean Dyche got sacked and I wanted Moyes in then."

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Former Liverpool winger John Barnes is anticipating a "game full of passion" when the Reds come to Goodison Park for the final time to face Everton.

Barnes scored four Merseyside derby goals, including in the famous 4-4 FA Cup replay draw, external in 1991.

The Toffees have found form since the return of David Moyes - winning each of their past three Premier league games.

"It's always passionate," Barnes told Total Sport's Carl Woodward. "The fans are always up for it. It's a game that will be closer probably than it would have been had it been played a few months ago.

"You can never tell what is going to happen in these games but it will be a game full of passion.

"I didn't particularly like the derbies because I thought they were too frenetic, too aggressive and too much passion - let's just keep calm.

"For Everton, it's been hard for the home players - the pressure the fans put on their team to do well sometimes works against them. I don't think that will have a bearing on this week's match as Everton have been winning and playing well.

"They won't be as nervous as they would have been had it been two months ago."

Arne Slot's side will be keen to respond after Sunday's shock FA Cup exit to Championship Plymouth, but Barnes does not think this will derail their Premier League title charge.

"We're favourites and have been playing consistently well," he added.

"I can't see another team going on a run. What Liverpool have done so far leads me to believe they will consistently keep picking up enough points to win the league."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

This is actually quite tricky to call, a lot more so than when it was meant to be played in December.

All those changes Arne Slot made in the FA Cup to rest his players means the quadruple is gone now for Liverpool and, with apologies for being pedantic, it also means they cannot win the Treble either - not the proper one, anyway.

I didn't quite get why Slot did not load his bench with his star players against Plymouth, although my first question would actually be: why not start some of them and get in front in the game, then look to make changes?

I do understand Liverpool are fighting on all fronts, but did they disrespect the FA Cup? Everyone does that, to an extent, but that doesn't make it right. My point here is that Slot did not think about having his big players available if they were needed, which is what Manchester City did against Leyton Orient.

I covered that game for BBC Radio 5 Live and when I saw Phil Foden and Kevin de Bruyne come on for City, I thought they meant business. They helped City get through.

Everton also went out of the FA Cup, but David Moyes went strong with his line-up against Bournemouth and they hit the woodwork three times.

I do not think that defeat means the Toffees have lost much of the momentum they had built from winning their past three league games and, of course, this is the last Merseyside derby to be played at Goodison Park, which adds an extra edge to it from their point of view.

Part of me thinks Liverpool will still nick a win, but I am actually going to back Everton to get something here. It will be a close game, that's for sure.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

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Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman, speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside about the final derby against Liverpool to be played at Goodison Park:

"The fact that Liverpool are going for the title again, the fact that Everton are under a new manager trying to enjoy a push towards the end of the season, and add in the fact that this is the last ever Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, it will make it that much more intense.

"It will probably be whoever manages to handle that pressure and emotion that wins the match. I'll get swept along by it - I'm sure many fans will, by that emotion. Hopefully, for the blue side of Merseyside, we come out as victors."

On his favourite derby memory: "My first derby will always be my favourite. It was 2004 and Lee Carsley scored the winner in our push to finish in the Champions League positions that season.

"We showed that we weren't there by fortune - we were there by how we played and the quality we'd shown. It was a brilliant game, a brilliant season, and the fact it was my first start in a derby [means] it will always remain special to me."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

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Everton against Liverpool is the fixture to have seen the most red cards (23) and had the most goalless draws (12) in Premier League history.

Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in 19-year-old Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, who has a £55m release clause in his contract. (TBR Football), external

The Reds are interested in signing 21-year-old Nice winger Mohamed-Ali Cho, who has also represented England Under-21s at international level. (Teamtalk), external

Saudi Pro-League club Al-Nassr came very close to reaching an agreement for Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez in January, before the Reds rejected a deal for the 25-year-old. (Givemesport), external

Liverpool would prefer to sell Nunez over Diogo Jota this summer. (Football Insider, external)

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Everton manager David Moyes spoke to the media about Wednesday's Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.