A Merseyside Derby of Firsts and Lasts | OneFootball

The fixtures keep coming thick and fast for Liverpool, and they are not getting any easier. Arne Slot’s side now face a daunting trip to city rivals Everton, with the Hill Dickinson Stadium hosting its first-ever Merseyside Derby.

Liverpool’s season has taken a hit in recent days. Their slim hopes of silverware were ended in midweek following a heavy Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain, losing 4-0 on aggregate. The manner of that defeat has only increased the pressure on Slot, whose immediate priority is now securing a top-five Premier League finish and a return to Europe’s elite competition.

Standing in their way is an Everton side whose inconsistency has defined their campaign, but as ever in this fixture, form often counts for little. The Blues will sense an opportunity, particularly given Liverpool’s mounting injury problems and fragile confidence. For Slot, this is a baptism of fire in one of English football’s most hostile environments.

That challenge has been compounded by a major injury blow. Hugo Ekitiké, who scored in the reverse fixture earlier this season, has been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign after rupturing his Achilles tendon. The French forward’s absence leaves a significant gap in Liverpool’s attack, forcing Slot to look elsewhere for goals at a critical point in the season.

New Home; Same Cauldron

Everton, meanwhile, are beginning to find their feet in their new home. The Hill Dickinson Stadium is quickly developing into a difficult place to visit, and recent performances suggest David Moyes’ side are growing in confidence. A 3-0 win over Chelsea and a 2-0 victory against Burnley highlighted their potential, while a 2-2 draw with Brentford showed their resilience.

Slot acknowledged the importance of the occasion in his pre-match comments, emphasising that while the atmosphere will be intense, it is ultimately the players who must deliver. Everton’s supporters will play their part, but Liverpool must find a way to block out the noise and rediscover their composure.

That has not come easily of late. Liverpool head into the derby having lost four of their last five matches in all competitions. Their recent away form has been particularly concerning, including a heavy FA Cup defeat at Manchester City and a loss at Brighton. Confidence appears to be draining from a side that, not long ago, looked capable of mounting a serious title challenge.

Historically, Liverpool have held the upper hand in this fixture, winning 101 of the 247 previous meetings. They also edged the last two encounters, including a 2-1 win at Anfield earlier this season. However, that momentum now feels distant. What was once a run of controlled, confident performances has given way to inconsistency and scrutiny, leaving Slot under growing pressure to steady the ship.

With the race for Champions League qualification tightening, there is little margin for error. Slot has made it clear there is no room for slip-ups in the remaining fixtures, stressing the importance of consistency and performance levels as the season reaches its decisive phase.

Final Bow for the Pharaoh?

Adding further intrigue to Sunday’s clash is the likelihood that this will be Mohamed Salah’s final Merseyside Derby. The Egyptian is approaching the end of his Liverpool career, and while his influence has fluctuated in recent weeks, he remains capable of decisive moments. He was on target in the recent win over Fulham, a reminder of his enduring quality.

However, his benching in the defeat to PSG raised questions about his current role within the team. As he prepares for one last derby appearance, his record against Everton -eight goals and three assists in 14 games – suggests he could still have a major say.

For Everton, the motivation is clear. Moyes has spoken of the importance of building momentum in their new stadium and hinted at the possibility of a push for European qualification. A victory over their local rivals would not only boost those ambitions but also further cement their growing confidence at home.

With both sides carrying pressure and uncertainty into the contest, this first derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium feels finely poised. Form, history and emotion all collide, but as ever in this fixture, anything can happen.