Paul Merson is expecting something ‘different’ as he shares Merseyside derby prediction | OneFootball

Paul Merson believes that there may be something ‘different’ in store from this afternoon’s Merseyside derby at Anfield.

Liverpool go into the fixture as Premier League leaders, having just about preserved their 100% start to the top-flight season at Burnley last weekend, although Everton are joint-sixth in the table and have collected seven points from their opening four games.

It’s been quite a while since the Toffees came into a derby in such an elevated position, and although their away record in this fixture doesn’t make for pleasant reading from their point of view (one win in 26 years), David Moyes’ side may be feeling confident of taking points off their local rivals.

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Merson gives Merseyside derby prediction

Merson has given his predictions for this weekend’s Premier League fixtures to Sportskeeda, and he expects Everton to be much more enterprising than in recent visits to Anfield.

The Sky Sports pundit wrote: “I can’t remember the last time Everton played Liverpool and they had all these weapons! In recent years, Everton have been forced to go to Anfield with zero hopes. They just try to keep it tight at the back and hope for an opening that might be handed to them.

“This time it’s different. For the first time in a really long while, Everton have serious quality in attack. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish have shown what they can do in an Everton shirt.

“The Merseyside derby is always intense but I just think this one will be a lot better than what we’ve been used to in recent years. I believe the Everton fans will go to Anfield in the hope that they can definitely win this game and that will certainly add to the atmosphere there.”

However, despite talking up the Toffees’ chances of getting a result, Merson has ultimately tipped Liverpool to ‘edge it’ 2-1 and temporarily go six points clear at the Premier League summit.

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Today’s Merseyside derby could be an entertaining affair!

Not only have Everton lost the previous four derbies at Anfield, they’ve failed to score in any of them since a 2-0 victory in the lamentable behind-closed-doors days of early 2021 (Transfermarkt).

As Merson points out, though, they carry a greater attacking threat this time around, with Grealish in particular enjoying a fine start to the season, having already plundered four assists since joining on loan from Manchester City.

That said, Liverpool have explosive firepower in Mo Salah and Alexander Isak, while Florian Wirtz’s display against Atletico Madrid in midweek illustrated the influence he can wield when at his best – some of the Reds’ counterattacking play on Wednesday was dazzling to watch.

Recent Anfield derbies have tended to be tight contests – last season it was settled by just the one goal – although the early signs from the current campaign indicate the potential for plenty of goalmouth action today.

We’re hoping that Arne Slot’s side won’t leave it until literally the last minute again to keep their winning run going, but ultimately LFC fans (who Virgil van Dijk has called upon to play their part) won’t care how it’s won so long as their team emerges with all three points!