Liverpool wary of improved Everton despite Toffees’ poor Anfield record | OneFootball

Liverpool’s title charge resumes with the Merseyside derby on Wednesday.

The stakes are clear – win, keep control, and edge closer to reclaiming the Premier League crown.

James Tarkowski’s last-gasp equaliser in February denied Liverpool three points at Goodison Park.

That result stung, but it has done little to derail their momentum at the top of the table. If anything, it serves as a reminder that no game is won on paper.

Before the international break, there were doubts. A brutal week saw Liverpool exit the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain and lose the League Cup final to Newcastle United.

Their performance against Southampton in the league was also far from convincing. Despite this, Arne Slot remains firm in his belief that his side is primed for the season’s final stretch.

“The players are refreshed, in my opinion,” Slot said. “It wasn’t all negative.

“We played a final against a very good Newcastle team, and against PSG, we defended really well. You can always look at the result, but I was proud of our performance.”

That mentality will be crucial. Liverpool have been relentless at Anfield, winning 17 of their last 19 home league games.

They have also scored at least twice in their previous 15 domestic home matches. With Everton in town, that dominance must continue.

Under David Moyes, Everton are a different prospect. A nine-game unbeaten league run has steered them clear of relegation worries.

They have drawn four straight matches, but their resilience has been evident. Slot knows his side cannot afford complacency.“They didn’t lose one football game in the last nine Premier League games, so it would be a surprise if they were going to do something different,” he added.

“And we are top of the league, so it would be strange if we were going to change something as well.”

Everton’s recent record at Anfield is dreadful. Their only victory there since the turn of the century was a 2-0 win in 2021. However, Slot is taking nothing for granted.

“These games are very important for us, the upcoming nine,” he said. “Not only because it’s the Merseyside derby, but also because we are in such a great position in the league.”

That position must be protected. The finish line is in sight, and any slip now could be costly.