Jan Mølby Predicts Liverpool Victory and Recalls Being ‘Kidnapped’ by Everton Players | OneFootball

The Final Chapter at Goodison: Jan Mølby’s Take on the Last Merseyside Derby at Everton’s Historic Home

As anticipation builds for tonight’s Merseyside Derby, Jan Mølby shared his insights on the Anfield Index podcast, Molby On The Spot, hosted by Trev Downey. The match, set to be the final derby at Goodison Park, carries a weight of history, rivalry, and nostalgia for both Liverpool and Everton fans. Mølby, with his characteristic blend of sharp football insight and personal anecdotes, not only predicts the outcome but also reflects on his playing days against the Toffees, offering a unique lens on this iconic fixture.

Mølby’s Bold Prediction: Liverpool Victory at Goodison

Jan Mølby isn’t one to shy away from making bold predictions, and this derby was no exception. The former Liverpool midfielder confidently forecasted a 2-0 win for Liverpool, asserting, “I just think it’s going to be a typical Derby game. We’re gonna find it difficult… but I still think we’ll finish off Everton nil, Liverpool two.”

While Everton have found some recent form, with impressive home wins over Spurs and Leicester City, Mølby remains confident in Liverpool’s superiority. He acknowledged Everton’s recent resurgence but was quick to underline Liverpool’s quality: “We’re having a better season than Everton and we’ve got better players.”

Memories of Derbies Past: From Rivalries to Royal Ascot

Beyond the tactical breakdown, Mølby delved into his colourful history with Merseyside derbies, offering fans a glimpse into the lesser-known camaraderie that often existed off the pitch.

He reminisced about his unique friendship with Ian Rush and Everton’s Kevin Ratcliffe (affectionately referred to as “Rats”). “We’d get back to Anfield after an away game, and I’d say to Rush, ‘Are we going for a pint?’ and he’d go, ‘Well, I’m meeting Rats.’” The image of fierce rivals sharing drinks after intense matches feels almost alien in today’s hyper-professional era of football.

But perhaps the most bizarre story Mølby shared was about being kidnapped—yes, kidnapped—by Everton’s Pat Van Den Hauwe. “I let slip that I was still staying in the City Centre hotel. The next day, Pat was waiting in the coffee shop… he basically kidnapped me for two days!”

And if that wasn’t enough, Mølby recounted the time Everton’s legendary manager Howard Kendall took him and Ian Rush out to Royal Ascot. “Howard took us out for a meal, then to Ascot. My wife called, asking where I was, and I just said, ‘With Howard Kendall.’ You couldn’t make it up!”

These stories underscore the complex tapestry of Merseyside football culture, where rivalries were fierce on the pitch but friendships flourished off it.

The Weight of History: Goodison’s Last Stand

As tonight marks the final Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park, Mølby reflected on the electric atmosphere that has always defined the venue. Having played at Goodison numerous times, he admitted, “The atmosphere was unreal. I can imagine tomorrow night it’ll be something similar… the old stadium will be rocking.”

For Mølby, Goodison represents more than just a football ground. It’s a place steeped in personal memories and historic battles. He recalled his first visits to the stadium, long before he donned the red shirt: “The first three times I went to Goodison Park, I wasn’t even playing. But I’ll never forget the atmosphere—it was something else.”

Despite Everton’s current struggles, he warned against underestimating the impact of this being their last derby at home. “This is the one game where, regardless of how it’s going, they’ll stay with their team. They know the world is watching.”

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Liverpool’s New Era Under Arne Slot

With Arne Slot now at the helm following Jürgen Klopp’s departure in May 2024, Liverpool fans are eager to see how the Dutch manager navigates his first Merseyside Derby. While Mølby didn’t delve deeply into Slot’s tactics, his confidence in Liverpool’s squad was evident. “We’ve got too much for them. But we can’t underestimate the atmosphere and the occasion—it’s the last derby at Goodison.”

As Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Cody Gakpo take to the pitch tonight, Mølby’s words resonate: this isn’t just another game—it’s a piece of history in the making.

Tonight’s derby promises to be more than just a football match; it’s a farewell to an era, a celebration of rivalry, and perhaps the start of a new chapter under Arne Slot. Whether Mølby’s 2-0 prediction holds true remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the spirit of the Merseyside Derby will endure long after the final whistle blows at Goodison Park.